jaymcc28
57 posts
Jun 04, 2009
10:32 AM
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I know that I've read of at least one member who plays a lot while walking (sorry, don't remember who). Since I often take a mental health break and sit in my car and play for a few minutes during the work day I thought that it would be a great idea to do so while taking a walk on a nice day. I just tried it...can't do it. My breathing gets screwed up, I get out of breath, and it's just not pretty. Now, I'm not in the best shape of my life but I'm certainly in shape enough to take a walk. So, is this indicative that I'm not 'breathing correctly' while I play???
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GermanHarpist
368 posts
Jun 04, 2009
10:49 AM
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Well, the breathing definately gets more difficult when walking... just try walkimg slower, and playing things that don't need too much air.
I get a lot of practice time down while walking.
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germanharpist, harpfriends on Youtube
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Randy G. Blues
30 posts
Jun 04, 2009
11:04 AM
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I mentioned doing it at a recent conference I attended where I had to walk about ten or fifteen minutes from my hotel to the conference center. There are certainly two things involved- one is being in good enough cardio-vascular condition that you can walk without breathing hard. The other is having breath control when playing.
As GermanHarpist stated- start by walking slower, playing easier tunes that don't take as much air, and play at lower volume levels to begin with, then work your way up as you would any exercise program.
Walking/harmonica wind sprints? Maybe we've hit on a new exercise program. That's only half a joke as harp is being used in care homes to assist elderly folks to develop more breathing efficiency.
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Leanground
58 posts
Jun 04, 2009
11:11 AM
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I'm the guy who walks my dog while I play along backroads and in the cemetary at night. I find that walking helps me breathe deeper through the harp without the in and out hyperventalating that can happen when we don't expel air around the harp. It's a great woodshed
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rustywater
50 posts
Jun 04, 2009
12:28 PM
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Very interesting thoughts. I suffer from cardiomyopathy which in very basic terms means one side of my heart has permamently swollen. This effects breathing because the left and right side of the heart do not work in tandem with each other.
As this has gradually got worse my ability to play harp has been affected to the point where I could no longer play. Last week I was fitted with a pacemaker which forces both sides of the heart to work together and already the benefits are amazing, whereas before I could only walk up stairs with a rest now it is no problem.
Once my shoulder has healed and my body is used to the gadget I shall be able to resume harp playing and as walking will be my main source of exercise, playing the harp at the same time could help my breathing further.
My other exercise will be swimming do you think I can combine that with the harp, interesting thought.
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mr_so&so
123 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:29 PM
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I've mentioned a few times in this formum that I play as I walk to and from work (about 1/2 hour each way). It does take some getting used to, but now it's pretty comfortable, even when walking fast. I'm not sure if it helps or hinders good breath work for harp playing. I know that when I'm standing still it is easier to play. Walking is great for keeping time though.
I'd be interested to know what the pros among us think of this topic.
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nacoran
41 posts
Jun 05, 2009
10:21 PM
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I play while walking sometimes. Stairs and steep hills give me some problems, but I'm really out of shape. Pause when you're crossing the street. It doesn't seem like much, but I've nearly got hit a couple times because I wasn't paying attention.
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beng
12 posts
Jun 06, 2009
2:43 AM
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I walk and harp everywhere. I absolutely love it. It's pretty much my only way to practice, as I live in a very small flat sharing with housemates. There's always a harp in my top pocket, and the second I get outside I start playing. I live in London, and walking along the Thames at night playing is one of my favourite things to do. I get alot smiles, and sometimes people will give me a 'woo!' or a 'yeah!'. I reckon learning the Rocky theme on harp and going for a run would get a good reaction. Maybe Adam can do a lesson on that whilst training for a race?
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Jim Rumbaugh
47 posts
Jun 06, 2009
2:05 PM
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Walking and playing makes the trip go by fast.
I do it whenever I can.
BUT
The rhythm of the song MUST match the sway of your step. No, I don't play "old traditional" tunes while walking. I make up a grove that matched the steps I'm taking. Almost like marching to tune. It's a great way to move down the street.
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mickil
236 posts
Jun 06, 2009
2:33 PM
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When you start to learn harp, you're told to breath from the diaphram. But no one ever really says what that means.
Next time you practice while walking. or sitting, or whatever, take the hand that's not holding the harp and place it on your chest. When you breath in, make sure that it's just your stomach that expands, not your chest; that's breathing from the diaphram.
I'm surprised no one else mentioned that; maybe it was just taken to be understood.
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'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
http://www.youtube.com/user/SlimHarpMick
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scalene
3 posts
Jun 07, 2009
7:01 AM
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Yeah, I started practicing diaphragm breathing on walks and have found it easier to coordinate than the faster pace of playing harp. I find doing scales helps to build the coordination. Because I don't need to keep a pace I can slow it way down and build from there.
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