Lately in Band I have found myself having to breathe every 2-3 measures rather than 4. I have played clarinet for over 7 years and my reeds are quality ones, and so is my instrument. I have never had this problem before....all i can think of is that my instrument has a leak in the pads or my asthma(sp) is messing me up. What`s your input, and what should I do? Thanks!

Always, keep a bottle of water by your side and take breaks when your practicing at all times. Well, I`m not quite sure what`s the problem. But I don`t possibly think it may be your equipment. I think it`s probably just you. Well have you practiced less than when you didn`t have to breathe for 4 bars? Or maybe your need to give your lungs a rest before you play. Because whenever I have choir then I practice my clarinet it`s hard for me too so I have to breathe a lot. It may be because you have a sore throat? That happens...so does many other things but answer the questions I asked first.

Do breathing exercises, Like Take a HUGE breath and blow it out in 16 counts then 8 then 4 then 2 then 1 it helps

Are you getting your instrument serviced at least once every year?
If not, do so.
If the problem turns out not to be with your instrument, then practice sustained notes, and ask your teacher for studies and pieces that help with phrasing. (I can`t think of any offhand.)

Ok, now that I`ve read your post again and seen how long you`ve been playing-
try the 2 Brahms sonatas and the Mozart concerto, maybe even the Finzi concerto if you can handle it, or the slow movements of any of the 4 Spohr concerti. These are all beautiful pieces of music that require impeccable phrasing and breath control to come off convincingly.

thanks, everyone. And my instrument is only a year old, but I always get yearly check ups on my instruments, I wait til school is out (which is in a week).