Holding my breath when I play

[Cid Mino]

Hi everybody,
I don't know if this is a new topic but I was wondering if anyone has or has had this problem of holding their breath when playing. I do and it's an extremely unpleasant feeling, creating tension and fatigue. Does anybody have techniques to deal with this?
Thank you for any help.

[bongosnotbombs]

The technique I recommend is breathing while you play.

[JohnnyConga]

Why are u tense? do u get excited when u play and it overcomes you?... If so i can understand that....I have a few students that are always tense, thinking that is how you should play, with tension...it's the opposite...can u hold a conversation and play at the same time?...these are things that you must overcome..which is part of my teachings the separation of the mind and body, and to be able to be totally relaxed from the neck down...as i say "like a frog on a rock"...try talking out loud and remind your body to just relax while playing. KNOW WHEN to play stronger/louder with intensity or softer....these are simple things really and being "in tune" with your body and how to control it and use it with the drum...just my 3 congas... you may want to consider my Conga Camp...I can help you in many ways..."JC" Johnny Conga

[Thomas Altmann]

Hi Cid,

The technique I recommend is breathing while you play.

BNB's response may sound a bit fresh, but what else can be said? It's right on the money. You have to pay attention to what you are doing. There's no other way.

I don't regard my own playing as correct, or complete, as long as my breathing isn't working well. If drumming means more to you than just producing a drum sound, then relaxation and proper breathing is definitely part of the whole game. Just check your relaxation status, your point of gravity, and your breathing sporadically while practicing, and learn to correct your physical functions while playing without allowing decrease in musical tension, slowing down etc. And don't curse yourself for - once again - having fallen back into bad habits; just be cool and correct yourself, in order to make playing easier and more productive - for your own interest. Because ...

... one day you might be in a situation where you have to play at a high level for a longer period than you can imagine now. It will become a necessity, a life saver really, to be able to direct all your energy out - not inwards, holding breath or building up unproductive tension within your own body. You won't have any spare energy to afford unnecessary efforts.

I don't know you, and I may be offending an experienced player now, but in case you are not: Perhaps you have a misled understanding of what it feels like to perform high-energy drumming. Listening to power drumming can suggest that it is made with excess force. But the actual playing isn't done like that. Simply delete this idea from your hard drive. You will be surprised how much fun, ease and playfulness it means to play the drums. Sorry if I said something you already know.

Maybe you will even sound better. I realized that my left hand slap is more secure and dependable when I breathe normally into my abdomen.

I also enjoy to sense the breathing frequency together with my drum rhythm as a parallel time level. This makes me more physically aware of the nature of time in general.

That's what comes to my mind, from my own experience. I hope that some of it may help you.

Thomas

[akdom]

Hi

If I may add something, try to sing what you play and after a while, sing the songs you play. You need to relax and be able to breath and play at the same time.

B

[thomas newton]

pilates ftw

[Cid Mino]

Hi all,

Firstly thanks for the replies. JC I'd love to attend but I live in Paris-France, but do you have any "How to's" a book or CD that I could use or that you'd recommnend?

[JohnnyConga]

Paris France,isnt far..my last attendee came from Australia for a week ...but anyway got o youtube.com and type in search "How to playthe conga drums" I have 17 learning videos there..let me know what u think..."JC" Johnny Conga

[akdom]

And I highly recommend your videos.

Salut paris.. Du sud de la France.

Cheers

D