OK I’m exaggerating but the number of times I’ve heard conductors in the past go on, and on, and on … well you get the picture, about breathing, or rather not breathing. I have thought on many an occasion that this could be slightly counterproductive as the choir one by one drops to the floor through passing out, so I have come up with a simple (but probably totally frowned upon) solution – breath whenever and wherever you like!This does come, however, with a couple of riders
- make sure it is not noticeable – no gasp, no obvious heaving of shoulders, not that you should breathe that way when you are singing, but sometimes old/bad habits die hard
- if possible try to avoid doing it at the same time as everyone else. OK, first rehearsal it’s quite likely that this will happen, so agree with your neighbour when's best for each of you – when you are singing one of Handel’s lovely but literally breathtaking runs, I defy anyone in the audience to notice if you each take a quick breath but in different places.
If you disagree or have any other thoughts, all gratefully received.
Les X
PS Shocked aren't you - I've managed to keep to my New Year's Resolution and do another blog entry! I bet you can't wait til end of March!!!
