The Effect of the Breath Builder™ on Various Lung Functions and Musical Performance Abilities of Clarinet Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to focus on the efficacy of a dynamic breath exerciser called the Breath Builder™ and its effects on clarinet players’ performance abilities and/or lung functions. The study sample consisted of 15 clarinetists, a combination of undergraduate and graduates from the clarinet studio at the University of Arizona, ages 18 - 27. The eight-week study consisted of two phases. During Phase 1, subjects in experimental group 1 used the Breath Builder™ three times a day, five times a week. The control group was not given Breath Builders™ and continued with their normal practice routine. In Phase 2, the control group was given Breath Builders™ and relabeled as experimental group 2. Experimental group 1 stopped using the Breath Builder™ and was relabeled as experimental group 3. Following this cessation, the subjects in experimental group 3 were measured to note any change in lung function or performance. Some of the pulmonary lung function measurements used for this study were, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximal Inspiratory Pressure in 1 second (MIP1), and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP). Musical abilities measured were tone, note duration and phrase duration. A significant interaction effect was found regarding MIP and MIP₁.