SUSTAIN

'Sustain Piece' is primarily to do with breathing, Breath is, of course, fundamental to all our activities - without it, the activity is non-existent (and so are we). Here is an opportunity to concentrate on breathing in a relaxed yet intense way, which will involve us, almost as a by-product, in music making. Individually, each person sustains a note which is as long as their breath length. Collectively, the piece sustains itself - although it moves in waves, it sounds continual; because individual breath lengths vary, there will always be some sound.

I SEAT yourself in such a way as to enable you to breath comfortably and freely.

II INHALE and exhale slowly several times.

III REPEAT the process. If you want to adjust the pitch, do so only to make your singing more comfortable.

IV WHEN ready, sing a long note on the slow exhale. Choose a note that is most comfortable for you. Sustain the note to as near the end of your breath length as possible.

V YOU are working independently (the pitch and length of your sustained note should not be consciously affected by what you hear) but it is still important to project your sound positively.

CHECK

If you feel inhibited about singing, start quietly and gradually increase the intensity of the note. Very loud or forced notes defeat the object of this piece.

'Sustain Piece' can also be played on instruments in the same way as above. On a non-sustaining instrument (such as guitar, or drums or percussion), a trill can be used to sustain the note to the same length as your breath. As before, choose your note for comfort (imagine you have to play it for six hours): don't change the pitch for harmonic reasons. As your breath runs out, stop the note/trill/roll, take in a new breath, then continue to play the sustained note on your exhale. You are still producing a sound of the same length as your physical breath length.