Clarinettist Martin Fröst's guide to one of the hardest techniques for woodwind players: circular breathing

29 April 2016, 10:08 | Updated: 5 January 2017, 17:01

The amazing clarinettist Martin Frost took some time out of rehearsals for Classic FM Live to give us some tips on one of the hardest techniques for a wind player

What’s circular breathing?

In a nutshell, it’s a technique whereby you breath in and out at the same time.

We told you it was hard.

In more detail, circular breathing involves inhaling while pushing air that had been stored in your cheeks out of your mouth.

It’s a pretty impressive technique – but also an exceptionally useful one for woodwind players, as Martin explained backstage at the Royal College of Music, ahead of his performance at Classic FM Live earlier this month.

Simple as that. *practices forever*

Martin also let us in on his secret pre-concert warm-up

…which gets the stamp of approval from his daughter.

Martin's latest album Roots is available now on Amazon and iTunes