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

["Eduardo Martinez - musician, composer, artist" <subscriptions@EduardoMartinez.com>]

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>