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Re: OT: Music books that transcend technique...(was Re: semi-OT: i recommend Victor Wooten's book)



Hi Byron,

Sorry to hear about your injury. I agree with what you say about the importance of breathing when playing, It is crucial for wind instrument players, for example, where composers & players learn to create a piece that has the normal (& sometimes not-so-normal ;-) breathing spaces in between the notes & passages. But all instrumentalists & vocalists need to learn conscious breathing techniques for their music playing. I also appreciate your comment about the need for such information, i.e. T'ai Chi for Musicians. Makes me think more seriously about how to organize & disseminate this information.

Best in your continuous recovery. Seems like you enjoy looping music while getting better & better.

Blessings,

Eduardo Martinez
musician - composer - artist
www.EduardoMartinez.com
www.MySpace.com/EduardoMartinezMusic

Nashua, NH USA


Begin forwarded message:

From: "Byron Howell" <howell.byron@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: OT: Music books that transcend technique...(was Re: semi-OT: i recommend Victor Wooten's book)


I teach & practice T'ai Chi, which uses breathing as one of the
elements to bring about relaxation. Since I have found so much benefit for myself, I am wanting to share
this with others. I have played with the idea of doing local
workshops.

A workshop like that is most needed. If I were anywhere near, i would
support. I primarily came to looping through an injury which prevented
me fro pursuing drum-set practice and gigging. <snip>

The main aspect of my drumming that really sped up the injury was my
complete lack of awareness for my breath. Now that i have focused on
my breathing patterns i notice how really hard it is to keep a steady
pace while playing. My playing goes all wonky. Its like practicing new
breed excercises. The breath becomes the fifth limb. lately i have
begun starting my practice sessions by syncing my playing to my
breathing and vice versa.

now that i am in the process of resetting my spine, i find that
failing to breath properly always ends up in some type of tension
somewhere in the body. Once you become hyper aware, its kinda a curse
tho...one ends up spending hours eliminating tension in the body in
order to play a note that not many notes get played hehe...but for
ultimate freedom of any injury its a nessesary process. musicians
playing freely now, should incorporate this aspect to make sure your
still doing so in 10 to 20 years. At age 26, I discovered very early
the perrels of improper breathing.
<snip>