Once again, knee replacement = improved flute technique!

If you play, or have played, a wind instrument, or have had voice lessons this will not be a surprise to you. It's not a surprise to me....but it is a new discovery. It isn't quite the same as the last time when the improvement was sudden and unexpected. 

My physical therapist taught me a technique which she calls her "internal brace." As I am working on that technique I discover if I can do it at the beginning of a longer passage, I can sustain my air longer. Totally cool. 

It is a hard thing to describe in text, and I will make an attempt on my flute blog, but here's a brief effort: 

• Place your thumbs just in front of your hip bones
• Point the fingers down and press in with your index finger
• Take a breath and expand this area, without pushing your gut out
• Breathe in and out while maintaining the pressure
• With practice it can become automatic

Good luck!