Play and breath

[drooxy]

Hi !

Thanks to the great book "Fundamantals of Piano Practice", I now understand that relaxation is one of the main basis to play correctly... Now relaxing also means breathing and I would like to check wether or not I do it as it should be done !

So, any suggestion about that subject would be very welcome !

Thanks !

[dj]

breathing? i never really think about that when im playing....maybe take a deep breath before you begin but then let it be what it is naturally: an involuntary action.

[eddie92099]

Richter would breathe as a singer would according to the phrase,
Ed

[rachfan]

Richter had it right.  The pianist really has to think of him/herself as a singer in shaping phrases.  The piano as an instrument is all about voice.  For example, sometimes there'll be a small leap justifying a tiny pause, which every singer would take in preparing for the leap.  Breathing is often important too in starting a short cadenza, a highly emotive passage, a long cantabile line, etc.  Taking a breath before those sections somehow makes the music seem more vivid in the moment and execution more facile.  It probably strikes some as odd, but it's true--and always helpful.

[hal]

Arrau is another good example.
If you listen his Chopin carefully, you can listen when his taking a deep breath...
Hal