Lesson 83: Virtuoso Studies, Part 3 — Breath Control

• Plan breaths in a slow movement so each phrase ends with a steady tone.
• Shape a Telemann phrase around planned breaths.

Leave enough air for the end of the phrase.

Plan breaths around the phrase; move a breath earlier if the ending strains.

The long-tone drill

Hold low DG for a comfortable length, then rest; try a quiet, medium and fuller tone without bending the pitch.

Plan a slow movement

Mark these in a slow movement before playing:

• Phrase boundaries.
• Shorter breaks — where a small breath fits.
• The climax — more air needed.
• Required breaths, in pencil.

A breath that comes too late moves earlier; re-mark.

The crescendo drill

Play this C majorF major scale from quiet to fuller, keeping pitch steady; breathe after FB-flat.

The daily warm-up

Try this short routine:

• Try short long tones at three volumes, resting between notes.
• Play the scale with its planned breath.
• Record one phrase; move the breath earlier if the ending fades or strains.

Now play these

Telemann: Duet Sonata TWV 40:103 — complete first part

Long-breathed slow passages; plan the breaths first.

Handel: Sonata in C major, HWV 365 — Larghetto

Use ordinary phrase breaths to keep the long line clear.

When every phrase of a recorded slow movement finishes unhurried on the planned breaths, move on to Lesson 84.