When to Belly Breathe

First things first, I’d like to thank all the people who have written in these past few days. I’ve had some wonderful responses to recent newsletters about the goings on in Vermont, and violin matters in general. Time has not permitted me to respond to each and every one, but rest assured, they have been appreciated.

Though I arrived back in Asheville without my number one fiddle, and determined to take a much needed break from playing, I’ve been more occupied than ever.

For one thing, the kind of preparation and focus needed for last weeks concerts left my five-year-old daughter getting the short end of my attentions for at least a good fortnight – I’ve been doing my best to even the score these past days.

And secondly, you wouldn’t believe how tall the grass was when we got home Monday night!

But let’s talk violin playing.

One of the questions emailed in this week concerns breathing. This interested client says he’s made great progress since incorporating the counting and visualizing habit into his playing, but is yet having a little difficulty with breathing. Specifically, he asks, WHEN do I breathe in a given phrase of music.

Before I answer let me just say how invaluable belly breathing is to your musicianship. It relaxes you, and it opens a clear channel from your heart to your brain and on down to the your hands.

Now, in the open string exercise that begins the Kreutzer course I do give some instruction on when to breathe for the purpose of that exercise.

But when it comes to playing actual music, and the counting is being done in my head and not spoken out loud, I allow my breathing to follow its own course. That is to say I just focus on using my diaphragm and on keeping the air stream moving, in and out.

The LAST thing you want to be doing as you play is HOLDING your breath. When you find yourself holding your breath you can be sure you have unwanted tension mounting inside of you.

Let it go!

You will NEVER play better for holding your breath in difficult moments. You must be ever mindful that your breathing is free and full. It’s as simple, and as challenging, as that.

Before I leave you I have just one last bit of critical information. The Novice/Intermediate masterclass is filling in beautifully, and I have sold out of the special low-tuition seats. I have, therefore, decided to open the advanced/professional class up to ALL-COMERS.

This should be great news to any serious violinist. Your tuition at this class, and this class only, will include a Full-Length Recital by yours truly and one tremendously gifted concert pianist. The wisdom I’ll be imparting after this special event will be out-of-this-world great. You can be sure of it.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. What I do require for attendance at either class is familiarity of at least one of either the Kreutzer or Paganini courses.