For a flutist, breathing is everything: sound, phrasing, and expressiveness. But how can one achieve perfect breath control while staying free and relaxed? To answer this question, we must explore various techniques. Each offers unique approaches to working with breathing, and in this overview, we’ll examine their strengths and weaknesses.
By the end, you’ll understand why combining the best practices with my experience has led to the creation of a unique system that can transform your perception of breathing.
Breathing Techniques: A Detailed Overview
Linklater Method by Kristin Linklater
This system was designed for actors to unlock their natural voice by freeing the breath and body. The core idea is to eliminate physical and emotional tension that blocks the natural flow of sound.
How it works:
Focuses on relaxing the neck, diaphragm, and vocal apparatus. Exercises include deep body awareness, sound vibrations, and posture work.
Advantages:
- Helps achieve relaxation and natural sound.
- Excellent for working on smooth, flowing breathing.
Disadvantages:
- Requires significant time to master.
- Primarily oriented toward voice rather than instruments.
Paradoxical Breathing Gymnastics by A.N. Strelnikova
Developed by Alexandra Nikolaevna Strelnikova, this breathing exercise system was a breakthrough in restoring health. Its roots go back to the 1930s-40s when her mother sought ways to help vocalists recover their singing voices. Inspired by principles from her mentor Pauline Viardot, Strelnikova believed proper breathing should bring singers a sense of “ecstasy.”
Strelnikova’s method emphasized three main causes of respiratory dysfunctions:
- Weakening of respiratory muscles.
- Diaphragm dysfunction affecting internal organs.
- Psycho-emotional imbalances.
The method’s key innovation was a short, noisy nasal inhale paired with movements compressing the chest. This “paradoxical” gymnastics activates deep physiological processes:
- Strengthens hidden respiratory muscles.
- Improves cellular oxygenation.
- Stimulates metabolism.
This method suits not only vocalists but also instrumentalists.
For flutists, Strelnikova’s approach helps develop flexible breathing and relieve tension. Additional exercises focusing on upper spine relaxation and stretching with yoga blocks enhance posture and chest mobility.
Incorporating posture-improving exercises, such as those with resistance bands and spine stretching blocks, complements the primary breathing practices, helping release tension and restore body balance.
Buteyko Breathing Method
In the 1960s, Novosibirsk physician Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko introduced his unique breathing system. He argued that most modern people “overtrain” in deep breathing, leading to a carbon dioxide deficit in the body and numerous ailments, including asthma.
Core principles of “normal breathing”:
- The inhale should be slow and shallow, lasting 2–3 seconds.
- The exhale should be calm and full, lasting 3–4 seconds.
- This is followed by a pause of 3–4 seconds.
- Such breathing occurs at only 6–8 cycles per minute.
A unique feature of the Buteyko method is the breath-hold test:
After a normal exhale, measure how many seconds you can go without inhaling. A healthy result is 60 seconds without discomfort.
Benefits:
- Reduces hyperventilation.
- Relieves airway spasms.
- Strengthens the overall tone of the body.
For flutists, the Buteyko method aids in breath awareness, relaxation, and mastering air efficiency—key for executing long musical phrases.
This approach is especially beneficial for people with chronic respiratory conditions and those aiming to improve overall well-being through mindful breathing.
Advantages:
- Helps manage tension and reduces stress.
- Teaches breath efficiency, which is useful for performing complex musical phrases.
Disadvantages:
- Can be challenging for musicians accustomed to active, deep breathing.
Buteyko Test for Flutists:
Take a calm exhale and hold your breath. The pause time indicates your breathing level:
60 seconds — excellent preparation.
40–60 seconds — good.
< 20 seconds — needs improvement.
The Buteyko Method helps relax respiratory muscles and teaches air efficiency, which is essential for performing long musical phrases.
Goncharuk System
The method developed by coach Yuri Goncharuk focuses on strengthening respiratory muscles and developing a powerful, sustained airflow. It is especially useful for wind instrument musicians.
How it works:
Special exercises for the diaphragm, chest, and abdominal muscles. Emphasis on long exhales and working with air resistance.
Advantages:
- Provides a powerful airflow.
- Improves breath control.
Disadvantages:
- Requires regularity and high discipline.
Marina Korpan Method
A modern breathing system combining elements of classical techniques, fitness, and yoga. Suitable for general respiratory and physical strengthening.
How it works:
Exercises focus on the combination of breathing and movement (e.g., bends, twists).
Advantages:
- Improves overall endurance and coordination.
Disadvantages:
- Less specialized for musical instrument practice.
My Unique Methodology
Each of these techniques offers valuable tools for breathing work, but none fully address all the needs of a flutist. That’s why I’ve combined the best practices from each approach and added my 25 years of performance and teaching experience. Additionally, I use a unique method to eliminate physical and psychological blocks, unmatched anywhere in the world.
My system is unique: it is specifically designed for musicians who want to manage their breathing easily, effectively, and enjoyably, without spending excessive time and effort exploring every existing breathing technique.
Exercises for Beginners
- Relaxation Breathing “4×4”
Inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for 4, exhale smoothly for 4, and hold again for 4. This exercise calms, aligns breathing, and helps you focus. - Exhaling on “S”
Produce the sound “S” while standing or in a plank position, varying intensity: increase volume (crescendo) and then decrease (diminuendo). Great for training exhale strength control. - Practicing on the Instrument with “Frullato”
Play with the “r” sound, stretching it smoothly on a long exhale. This develops sound quality and phrase duration. - Velvet Inhale
Take a deep breath, imagining the air gently enveloping you. Hold this sensation, then exhale slowly and smoothly. This exercise develops breathing mindfulness. - Exhaling Against Resistance
Use a straw or small tube and exhale through it into a glass of water, creating bubbles. This improves air flow control and lung development. - “Breath Staircase”
Inhale for 2 seconds, then increase to 4, 6, and 8 seconds. Repeat the same for exhaling. This develops endurance and control.
Sofia de Salis
www.sofiadesalis.com
The Russian-Swiss flutist Sofia de Salis has received international recognition and has established herself as a soloist with exceptional musicality and rare sound quality. She is a sought-after guest artist at international festivals such as December Nights (Moscow), Festival de la Côte and Stars on the Rhine (Basel). Sofia recorded two albums, which received excellent reviews from listeners and critics. Her master classes and live broadcasts on social networks have incredible popularity and a huge number of subscribers.
