The Miracle of Breath
I still remember the wonder of discovering my breath for the first time as a college student, after a debilitating over-use injury. Just noticing the air flow swept my muscle pain away. I was amazed at how simple it was. As I slowly returned to the piano, I started to explore how to breath to enhance my phrasing, my accuracy, my artistry. Nowadays, I teach breathing techniques to all my students, and here are some reasons why I find it so useful:
- It allows us to be aware of our bodies and our mind-body connection
- It regulates our heartbeat and our emotions.
- It de-stresses us and prepares us to be able to respond more fully.
- It is the glue that holds together our multi-sensory experience, and prevents us from feeling overwhelmed.
- It prevents and heals our physical injuries.
- It leads to awareness, and awareness leads to freedom of movement.
Some students have asked me why I inhale as I play the piano, rather than exhale as a singer or wind/brass player would. Singers/wind/brass players' exhalations actually move the air that produces the sound vibrations. The air is their force. As a pianist, my inhalations give me a lift and increase my body mass for better presence and control, and not to produce the actual sound. My fingertips make the sound, but riding a breath into a phrase can shape it in any way I choose. What are your experiences? I'd love to hear from you!
Excerpted from my seminar on "Miracle of Breath". Hsing-ay Hsu©2018