Mastering Circular Breathing on the Clarinet

The clarinet is a beautiful instrument known for its rich tones and dynamic range. One skill that can take your playing to the next level is circular breathing. This technique allows you to maintain a steady sound by breathing in through your nose while pushing air out through your mouth. Learning this skill can greatly improve your endurance and help you perform without interruptions. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to achieve effective circular breathing while playing the clarinet.

Understanding Circular Breathing

Circular breathing isn't just for show; it's a valuable skill for any dedicated clarinetist. It allows you to play long passages without pausing for breath, which is especially useful in challenging pieces. The technique requires coordinated control of your lips, diaphragm, and nasal passages.

Component	Role in Circular Breathing
Lips	Maintain embouchure and control airflow
Diaphragm	Regulates air pressure and supports sustained playing
Nasal Passages	Allow for quick inhalation while playing

Basic Steps to Master Circular Breathing

Get Comfortable with Mouth Control: Begin by taking a few deep breaths while playing long tones on the clarinet. Focus on keeping a steady airflow. Do this softly to avoid straining your throat.
Practice Holding Air: Before trying the full technique, practice holding your breath. Take a deep breath and hold a note until you need to exhale. Pay attention to how your body feels as you use up the air.
Use Cheek Air: To start circular breathing, puff out your cheeks slightly. This extra air can be stored briefly, letting you keep air flowing through the instrument while you breathe in through your nose.
Inhale Through the Nose: While blowing air out through your mouth (and playing the clarinet), take a quick but controlled breath in through your nose. At first, it might help to practice this without the instrument, just working on breathing rhythmically.
Connect the Techniques: Once you're comfortable, play a note and use the puffed-cheek technique to keep the note going while you inhale. This takes practice but leads to smooth circular breathing.
Gradually Add Speed: Start slow and practice adding circular breathing to your playing by extending longer phrases. As you improve, you can play faster until the circular breathing becomes a natural part of your sound.

Exercises to Strengthen Circular Breathing

Like any skill, practice is essential to mastering circular breathing. Here are some exercises to help you improve:

Exercise 1: Long Tones

Pick a comfortable note and play it for as long as you can. Then, practice breathing in through your nose while keeping the note going. Do this every day to get better.

Exercise 2: Notes with Circular Breathing

Choose an easy melody and find spots where you'd usually need to breathe. Slowly work on using circular breathing in those places while keeping the melody going.

Exercise 3: Breathing without the Clarinet

Practice the physical part of circular breathing without the instrument. Breathe in and out through your mouth, while also drawing air in through your nose. Keep doing this until it feels natural.

Tips for Successful Circular Breathing

Stay Relaxed: Keep your body loose while doing circular breathing. Tension can make it harder to keep the air flowing.
Hydrate: Drinking enough water helps keep your throat healthy, which will make your breathing technique better overall.
Track Your Progress: Record yourself practicing circular breathing to see where you can improve and to celebrate your progress.
Seek Guidance: Don't be afraid to ask your music teacher for extra tips or to watch your technique. They can give you advice that fits your playing style.

The Martin Freres Legacy

As you start learning circular breathing, remember that every great musician once started as a beginner. Martin Freres has a long history in the clarinet world, known for making quality instruments. Musicians who appreciate great sound, balance, and breathing techniques have played and loved their clarinets.

Use these techniques not just to play the clarinet, but to really show who you are as an artist. Circular breathing might seem tough at first, but if you practice and stick with it, it can become a natural part of how you play.