I heard from a friend about circular breathing and have been trying for some time to teach myself how to do it properly, but I just can't get it. I don't really know much about it other than it requires a person to breath in trough the nose while keeping the air steam steady. my friend is a brass player however, does that even matter? Anyway I was just looking for info and advice. I've been playing flute for about 6 years and I'm looking for new skills to learn. Thanks in advance for any help!

Micron's right. The uses for circular breathing are limited, and at some point it just becomes a perty trick of sorts. Brass players are much more able to learn this technique, as the increased resistance associated with playing a brass instrument allows a much smoother change over. They have the mouthpiece pushing back against the air, but we have only our lips to give us resistance. My advice would be to work on expanding your lung capacity, and then use whatever time you would have given to circular breathing to practice other material. Chances are you will not ever need to use it, so your practice time is much better spent somewhere else.

I am sure this topic has appeared before at some point. Why circular breathe when the breath is part of the music.

Well there is a lot of modern music nowadays that just keeps the flute going like it has an infinite amount of air. "The Great Train Race" (Ian Clarke) is one that has immense extended techniques, and you get so worked up by the piece because of all of the harmonics and everything you're doing that when you get to this note you're supposed to hold out for a lengthy time...you are almost hyperventilating for breath. That is an instance to use circular breathing.

If you really want to learn..and who really doesn't have an interest?...Get Robert Dick's book on it.It's called "Circular Breathing for the Flutist". Even if you never use it...I think it's a good part of the extended technique repertoire.

I just rewrote "What is Love" by Haddaway for our Flute Choir at FSU. We are playing it at our Prism Concert which is the most awesome concert ever! I technoed it up a bit and added what I call "shock-a-tas" a la Zoom Tube. I don't really know the technique name, but that's we say into our flute. I also added tongue rams, and I will be circular breathing the entire thing because it's at about 160 BPM and all 16th notes. There isn't a measure of rest anywhere..it just keeps going and going. My school is BIG on extended techniques...so any chance we use them is goodfor bonus points with the professor. HAHAHA!!

-Dennis

Thanks, I was wandering if it would be worth my time to continue practicing. And i know exactly what you're talking about Dennis, some of the more "modern" compositions just keep going and going... and that was mainly why I was inquiring in the first place. I will be sure to keep all of your suggestions in mind!! Thanks Bunches!

Dennis, are you going to record the piece you wrote for your flute choir? It sounds interesting, would love to hear it. Are you planning on posting it on a website?

Dennis is right, learn circular breathing if you have an interest in it. I like the breath as part of the music, too many see the breath as an interruption of the music, which is untrue, the breath is as important as anything.

Extended techniques are good to learn for those who love to play modern music. Way back when Joe B and I were in school we were told that we would need these techniques as modern pieces would be the rage. Well, it didn't turn out that way, as I have rarely made a dime playing any pieces that require the audience to stick Q-tips in their ears to survive the performance.

That's so true Patrick. I don't know what crack my professor is on, but I really don't like most of the extended techniques, and modern music may sound cool, but I would rather listen than perform it. If you have to go note by note to figure out exactly what harmonic you are supposed to be playing, or learn odd fingerings for some multiphonics to be produced...why would anyone like this? Just because you can make your flute sound like a train, raindrops, thunder, or anything else really doesn't put you higher in my book. I hate extended techniques...so I gladly gave myself a part on this flute choir piece that really didn't have anything except circular breathing (which I love, personally) and a tongue ram at the end.

My flute choir will be at the Florida Flute Fair this coming January. I believe we will be performing this piece on that show. I don't have any plans to record this song. To tell you the truth...after writing it out 3 different times to figure out what I wanted it to sound like, I have no ambition to ever play it. If I could get out of Flute Choir, I would! LOL

-Dennis

good point, not always easy to hear lovely breathing on a synthesized recording.