Forgetting to breathe?

[Jesse S.]

This ever happen to you?

Last night I was practicing a study from my "Blues You Can Use" book, and it's the fastest one I've yet played. 144 bpm with a flurry of "meedly-meedly" 16th notes at one point.

When I finished, I discovered I was seriously short of breath!

So yeah, put your heart into it and play with guts, but don't forget to breathe!

[Tele-Bob]

LOL! That experience isn't just restricted to playing guitar!

[moonpie]

I get out of breath when I try to have sex with one of the squirrels. Those critter are quick.


I think breathing should be as much a part of guitar playing as it is a part of singing or playing a wind instrument.

Music is a conversation.....you gotta let it breathe.

[bonefish]

one of the best pieces of advice i was given was to breathe like a horn player when soloing. take a breath, exhale as you play a phrase. when you're out of breath, pause while you inhale. this gives your leads a much more organic feel.

[Kap'n]

I get out of breath....

:spin

Great post, and oh so true! I'm not gonna say which parts I personally know to to be true.

[doc540]

I worked with a guitar player in SoCal one time who held his breath and grimaced when playing a solo. I told him he looked like he was shltting a peach seed during Black Magic Woman.

I don't think he appreciated it.