Better Breathing Blog by PowerLung

Health Benefits to Playing an Instrument

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Aug 7, 2019 12:00:00 PM

We all hear that music soothes the savage beast, but beyond the benefits of hearing music and the personal pride of having the ability to playing one yourself, are there truly “health” benefits to playing a musical instrument, especially one in which you blow through? Join us as we look through some of the most notable benefits to playing a musical instrument. Although we focus on wind and brass instruments for some of the profits, others are enjoyed by playing even the guitar or piano.

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists

Mastering Breathing for Singers

Posted by Carolyn Morse

May 15, 2019 10:50:00 AM

Singing well is a unique skill, as it combines a strong set of lungs AND a beautiful voice. Most musicians and music appreciators will state that one is either born with the ability or simply cannot sing. However, improving on one’s singing ability, through voice training, is commonly accepted and recommended in the music world.

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists

Respiratory Muscle Training for Musicians

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Aug 3, 2017 7:30:00 AM

Wind instrument and vocal musicians perform respiratory exercises repetitively during practice and at an elevated level during performances. Therefore, one of the most crucial aspects of their abilities is the management of air. These types of musicians have historically spent countless hours training with their instruments (considering a vocalist’s voice as their instrument). As is true of any athlete training for their specific event (running, swimming, bicycling, etc.), musicians need to focus on improving their abilities for the event they are competing in (lungs for creating music). Wind instrumentalists generally have much greater lung function than non-instrumentalists, proving that the constant training of lungs does make a difference. Further, they tend to have a high degree of voluntary control over breathing due to the regulation of air flow and pressure to optimize their sound production abilities.

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists

Strengthen Your Respiratory Muscles

Posted by Carolyn Morse

May 6, 2017 4:04:08 PM

Athletes, professional and amateur alike, think about training their heart, legs, back, and anything else related to their sport. However, rarely do people ponder training their lungs. There is a direct link between fatigued breathing and reduced performance (weakness) in your legs or other muscles needed to compete in any given sport. The bottom line is that when you breathe better, you provide more oxygen to your muscles, thereby improving your athletic performance.

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Topics: Training, Triathletes, Running, Athletes, Swimming, Musicians and Vocalists, Health and Fitness, Track and Field, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Rowing, Hockey, Crossfit, Competitive Swimming

2014 Biohackers Conference Lightning Talk: Increase Stamina and Lung Capacity with Powerlung

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Jan 14, 2015 10:30:00 AM

 

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Topics: Better Breathing, Training, PowerLung, Triathletes, Running, Athletes, Swimming, Coaches, Active Aging, Musicians and Vocalists, Health and Fitness, Track and Field, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Rowing, Hockey, Crossfit, Competitive Swimming, Yoga, Diving

As a Musician, Are You Using Effective Breathing Techniques?

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Jan 16, 2014 11:04:00 AM

As a musician, you eat, sleep, and breathe music. You will train and practice for hours in order to prepare for performances.  Your ongoing focus is to perfect your musical skills to the highest-level of quality and ease.  In the music world, breath conditioning is as important as learning the notes.  Breath training is something basic that many musicians often take for granted.  Developing consistent and natural breathing techniques is essential for maintaining a relaxed and balanced breathing form. As a musician, does your musical performance suffer from restricted air or support?

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Topics: Better Breathing, Musicians and Vocalists

How to Train Your Breathing for Better Musical Performance

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Oct 3, 2013 7:30:00 AM

As a musician or vocalist, you spend hours upon hours upon hours practicing. Yours is a craft that requires constant attention and fine tuning of minute details to maintain your current skill level and attain incremental improvements.

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists

Cable Spence and “Cotton Patch Gospel”

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Oct 18, 2011 8:45:00 AM

I have heard back from my friend Cable Spence in Florida and if you didn’t get to see the Blue Grass Rock Musical with Cable in the band, you and I missed it. According to Cable,

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists

PowerLung, “Bluegrass Rock Musical”, and Cable Spence

Posted by Carolyn Morse

Aug 12, 2011 8:00:00 AM

Cable Spence is a friend I met several years ago when he lived in Chicago. When he retired a few years later and moved to Florida he decided to learn to play the banjo. Cable started all this after his 72nd birthday.

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Topics: Musicians and Vocalists