How do you breathe when you play?

[Lichtaffen]

I notice that my breathing is uneven and shallow when I'm playing. I know this isn't good. I'm sure many others are guilty of this also. Does anyone know any techniques/exercises to help make your breathing more even and rhythmic? I'll bet if you breathe with the rhythm and tempo, you're sense of time will improve. Haven't been able to implement it yet.

[bassteban]

Interesting topic- I often catch myself breathing shallow/quickly/holding my breath, and when I consciously relax things get better- I can play a difficult passage, timing improves, etc. I have no specific breathing exercise but it's definitely a potentially easily-overlooked aspect.

[jnuts1]

i breath just fine. unless something really hard or fast is coming then i seem to hold my breath. i try my hardest not to but it just happens. although i am getting better at not doing it.

[Jazz Ad]

I always breath to the music but this comes without really paying attention, especially since I also sing frequently.

[QPNBASS]

I sing a lot of back ups when I play so my breathing usually coincides with the lyrics. Next time I play a solo, I will definitely be more conscious of this.

[jmattbassplaya]

Depends on the instrument. On sax I can circular breath pretty well so I can often just breath while I play. Whenever I do vocals I breath whenever possible. And when I play bass/guitar I just breath normally unless I`m really rocking out, and then I`m breathing similarly to when I run.

[Fergie Fulton]

Deep breathing or lateral breathing is the order of the day as used in Pilates.

http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesm...eralBreath.htm

The link explains it well and its benefits on the body muscles in particular to relieve tension.

[BobaFret]

I used to find myself holding my breath ( obviously not a good idea ). A couple of years ago I really started focusing on making sure I breath consistently. It's been a rough ride because it takes focus away from what I'm really doing but I figure eventually it will be 2nd nature.

[skwee]

breathe with your phrasing!

[stratovani]

I never pay attention to my breathing. I figure if I do then I'm probably not paying attention to my playing!

[Blind Rat]

Via my Gills !!

[xxfaux_punkxx]

never really thought about... don't really care. If I don't pass out while playing then why does it matter?

[Toronto Bassist]

Heavily, into a phone

[xxfaux_punkxx]

Originally Posted by Toronto Bassist

Heavily, into a phone

so you're the one who keeps calling and hanging up

[MarkMyWordsXx]

sometimes i go mouth, sometimes i go nose. depends

[pasta4lnch]

I actually breath in long breaths through my nose. I also play/record guitar a lot and I have a bad deviated septum and other nose issues . . . I've been told by a few engineers over the years to try and hold my breath when I track acoustic guitar because my nose sometimes whistles and gets picked up by the mic kinda embarrassing

[bigtexashonk]

Watch ZZ Top's Live from Texas DVD. Those guys look like they're about to go to sleep, but groove like it's nobody's business. 90 lbs and loose as a goose!

[Sailboat339]

I've just given you an A in breathing.

[pedroims]

unless you are singing I dont see why you should worry about breathing, play bass is very straight forward,

[bt99]

i breathe normally but my guitard holds his breath for each bar and does the hole classical sniff with his noes without even knowing