Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Simulated on 01/01/2009 15:56:36

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: Simulated on 01/01/2009 15:56:36

Is it something you're born with or something that you can practice to get good at it?

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: RD on 01/01/2009 16:25:48

It's easy if you've got an inflatable face ... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvCJC8oAIE

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 01/01/2009 22:28:08

There's a knack to it. You have to breathe in through your nose, as you breathe out you puff out your cheeks to store a bit of air, then as you next breathe in through your nose you expel the air in your cheeks.

It's a similar thing to how bagpipes are played. Each time you breathe out a certain amount of air is stored in the bag. As you breathe in you apply pressure to the bag which expels the air thus keeping the flow through the pipes constant.

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: Simulated on 02/01/2009 03:07:36

Can you do it Doc?
Haha, wow can you do it without looking like a complete dumbass? ha
Looks some stuff up about it. Kenny G has the world record at almost 46 minutes! Wow, he was me hero before I knew that, now he's likee even more my hero

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: JnA on 02/01/2009 06:54:45

Have a look at how people play the didgeridoo. Circular breathing can be learned and probably needs to be perfected through practise (what doesn't? )

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 02/01/2009 12:05:14

Quote from: Simulated on 02/01/2009 03:07:36

Can you do it Doc?

I have enough trouble with ordinary breathing!

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: RD on 02/01/2009 17:11:09

Quote from: Simulated on 02/01/2009 03:07:36

Kenny G has the world record at almost 46 minutes!

Quote

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Step aside Kenny G, here comes Geovanny
Escalante.

Escalante, 24, broke the American pop star's world record for blowing a
single musical note into a saxophone by lasting 1 hour, 30
minutes and 45 seconds, according to the young musician and media reports.

Escalante told Reuters he was able to hold the note after months of
practicing a technique that allows him to blow and breathe at the
same time.

''Applause, hugs and cheers were all part of the celebration in the Cave's
Barracks, the local bar where Escalante nearly doubled the
previous record, at 45 minutes and 47 seconds set by Kenny G,'' La Nacion,
Costa Rica's leading newspaper, said on Thursday.

Two lawyers, two notary publics, Escalante's parents and a crowd of bar
regulars were on hand for the feat, the newspaper said,
adding they would send a videotape of the event to Guinness Records in London
next week.

http://www.recordholders.org/en/news/news052.html

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 02/01/2009 17:25:04

If you get the technique exactly right there's no reason why you shouldn't do it indefinitely - apart from fatigue.

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: Simulated on 03/01/2009 02:36:36

Ah thanks for the info RD.
I gonna go work on it sometimee

Title: How can I circular breathe on an intrument?
Post by: graham.d on 04/01/2009 20:30:18

I first heard this done by Roland Kirk (a live performance). I think he was the first Jazz musician to do this although there are a number who do it now. Roland Kirk also managed to play 3 saxophones simultaneously, but that's not the subject.

Possibly the earliest example of this is by Australian aboriginal people with a didgeridoo, though I am not sure.