Ian - interested to read that you run a freediving academy. I watched Kevin Fong's 'To Boldy Go' programme which included some freediving and showing how to fill up your lungs fully: belly, chest then shoulders.
Anything you'd like to add about applying that to the harmonica? They were showing it as a conscious choice vs the routine one of breathing shallowly. Can you make that an unconscious practice?
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 13, 2016 1:12 AM
Well, its an interesting subject. In general we are unconscious breathers, which is handy otherwise day to day life would be a lot of hard work. When i teach people to freedive i teach them to become conscious breathers, at least for a part of their training. The routine that you mentioned is the standard way to fill your lungs prior to a dive. It ensures that the diver gets the maximum capacity. Our lung capacities are set by our early 20s, so all of us that are over that cant actually increase our lung capacity, however we can increase our flexibility, which in turn opens up and harnesses our potential (basically most people can increase their lung volume by stretching). The below video is me showing an exercise to increase diaphragm and chest flexibility. If you want to do this and you are not interested in breath-hold then dont hold your breath for as long as stated in the video.
Soooooo. Back on track. In regards to the idea of, as you say, 'conscious breathing or breathing shallowly'. Other than our final breaths we dont breathe deeply before freediving, we focus on relaxed breathing, the difference is we focus on breathing from the diaphragm in a conscious way. This, for me relates directly to harmonica playing as because i breathe from the diaphragm i can get that deep tone and resonance that everyone talks about (to some extent!). Having a responsive and relaxed diaphragm also means that you can change direction quickly on the harp. The diaphragm is also more efficient in breathing than the intercostal muscles so if you can harness it it makes playing less effort. Beyond the harp, diaphragmatic breathing makes you a more efficient human.... which is nice. You definitely can make diaphragmatic breathing an unconscious process, it just takes a little time. Practice breathing with one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Only allow the belly to move (be very honest with yourself, if you see movement from your chest then adjust). This is how you need to breathe.
Apologies for rambling on. If you have any specific questions about breathing please direct them this way!
Last Edited by Ian on Jan 13, 2016 3:31 AM
Thanks Ian, I've not watched the video yet, but one question: the freediving technique I watched used diaphragm, chest and shoulders. Filling up from the lowest bits first. When playing harp do you just use diaphragm breathing or do you use all of it?
Oh and what depth can you dive to yourself? (Not while playing :)) The program talked about tens of metres, up to 100m - that just seems amazing to me.
No problem. Its probably maybe 80% diaphragm and 20% chest. I don't feel like I need to use my full capacity for harp, which is about 11litres. My deepest dive is 72, that's using fins, No other assistance. I teach people to do 20m in about 2 days though.
Fascinating stuff. They discussed the physiology changes that allow these dives e.g. the mammalian dive reflex, but even so it's extraordinary. Your lungs must be quite a bit smaller than 11 litres at 72m!!!
Thanks for the info. I want to go and measure my lung capacity now, but I have stuff to do. I bet it would be paltry anyway.
After the programme I tried holding my breath for as long as he did, 1m30s and that was ok but I didn't wait for my diaphragm to 'go into spasm'! I didn't like the sound of that at all.
Imagine how long you could hold a note for. I've read that people would do a trick of 'playing the 2D for ever' by switching back forth between 2D and 3B, so never running out of breath. I'll go for that one.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 13, 2016 5:31 AM
Yeah contractions aren't the best bit, but they get easier to deal with. 1:30 is really good. Its a lot easier than people assume, most people who get in to it are pretty average in most ways. Lots of wierd crossovers though.... Like harp!
