I am a high school student who is tutoring a beginner. This student is struggling with breath control and supporting their playing. This student needs encouraging thoughts and needs to play louder. I am having difficulties trying to help, and would like other peoples advice. Can anyone help?

read some yoga books

When you are saying there are breath control problems, do you mean uneven breathing, or not enough/too much air. There are different remedies depending on which it is that you are having a problem with.

A good Yoga book is title "The Art of Breathing". My director gave it to me back in high school, and I did find it to be useful.

I am the one who wrote originally. This player does not have enough air. I think he does not have enough confidence in himself.

A good way to get breath control in order without having to worry about what he is playing is long tones on low notes. Have your student take in as much air as (s)he possibly can and then play something, such as a low c, as long as there is air available. Have the student do this exercise for a set amount of time each day. This will help with increasing the amount of air the student is using when playing. Make sure when playing long tones, to concentrate on keeping the sound the same all the way through the note. This will keep the student from learning to over/under blow notes, and will also stress smooth air flow. Another thing to make sure ont he same note of breathing. Make sure the student is not holding his/her breath before playing. It should be one continuous motion. Breath in, play out. If the breath is being held before the note is played, then it causes uneven airflow in the beginning of the note, and is a habit which causes many people to be miss the first note of a chart, or phrase. If you havea ny other questions, or need clarification, go ahead and post it, or email me at l s c h a e f f e r @ c o m c a s t . n e t.

breathe from the stomach/diapram, sit up straight