The importance of breathing

My 8-year-old son has a new French Horn teacher this year. At first I was slightly sceptical, thinking he looked a bit zany. But I quickly realised that his methods were innovative and effective.


For the moment he's not worried about the actual notes coming out, just the texture and quality. For now at least, he isn't in the least bit interested in the final product, but how it's being produced. He is obsessed by the fact that breathing should come from the tummy and not the lungs for true harmony (in every sense of the word).


The result is that after a half-hour lesson my son emerges soothed, calm and happy as opposed to tense and fatigued. Infact, I think I can even cancel his yoga classes!