Breath Control

Breath control is extremely important to maintain tone quality. Have you ever watched a baby breathe? Did you notice their stomach rising and falling with each breath? What you're witnessing is the natural use of the diaphragm. It's that organ in our body that, when used properly, creates better tone quality and increases the length of time a note can be held.

Try this experiment: Get a balloon and blow into it. What happens to the balloon? Now let all of the air out of the balloon. What was the result? That's how our diaphragm works. So here's your assignment.... Lay on the floor with your knees up, feet and back flat. Place a book on your stomach. Blow out all of your air, then inhale through your nose. As you inhale, concentrate on the book. It should rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale.

Practice every day! You can do it!