Breath Control - Digiredoo (sp?)

Whistle
1

Digiredoo players can play constantly by filling up their cheeks and using that reservoir while they inhale through their nose. Has anyone tried this with a whistle? True, the cheek reservoir would empty fast, but all you need is time for that quick inhale.

2

colin goldie can do it, i think brigitte too.
i’m sure they’ll respond to this thread.

3

I know Colin Goldie (maker of Overtons) uses circular breathing. I think that while still learning you’d want a whistle with quite a bit of backpressure. There were a couple of threads some time ago with links to webpages that taught you how to do it. I recall one was based on practicing by blowing bubbles in a class of water with a straw.

4

Most professional reed woodwind players can circle breath. Kenny G was always showing off his
mad circle breathing skillz, impressing crowds, but boring critics…
I think it would be tough on a soprano whistle, too easy to overblow… might be interesting on a
low D, though.

5

Jeff: I know nothing of it, myself, but I do recall that it’s been discussed once or twice before. If you do a search, you might find a couple of threads.

Here are a few, there are more.

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=11155&highlight=circular+breathing


http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=21765&highlight=circular+breathing


http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=791&highlight=circular+breathing

All the Best, Tom

Edited to add the links,eh!

6

You need an instrument with the proper amount of backpressure (ie an Overton would definately count, or just about every other reed instrument), I have been able to do it, but keeping my tone steady while breathing in through my nose and letting out through my mouth has been the most difficult part…don’t try circular breathing if you have a plugged up nose, it won’t work!!!

7

Unlike Kenny G, Roland Kirk did it to good effect on saxophone. Chicago musician, James Conway, who plays harmonica and whistle Irish style (amongst others) can do it and has tried (so far unsuccessfully) to teach me.

(Now where is that smilie for brains coming out of ears when you need it?)