Hi Paul @pnicholas1967
If you actually are feeling out of shape, then you probably are out of shape. Some things that I can suggest for you to try out are:
- Slow, deep breathing exercises like those used during meditation (youtube is a good source in case you are not sure how to do this).
- Play while standing rather than sitting to permit your thorax and abdominal regions to move freely.
- Play while walking.
- Aerobic exercises or sports.
Beyond these, I suggest playing to a drone recording (cello drones are very good and can be found on youtube). Use the drone to sharpen your tonal playing skills, and also your bending to check that you are hitting the bent note accurately. Do these practice tones softly for a complete inhalation for the tone of the drone (for example: on a C harp, play a G drone and on your C harp play -2). Then without pause at the end of your inhalation switch to the the +3 and play that note for the entire exhalation. Continue this for as long as you desire.
Then try using other holes on your harp with that G drone – nice ones are -6 (an A) and +6 (again a G), but you will find others where you like the sound. You can do this exercise to improve respiratory capacity, stamina and tonal accuracy/control.
For bending: let’s say that -2" is giving you problems. Use an F drone and try the holes +3 (for the G note while exhaling) and then switch to -2" for the F while inhaling.
I guess you get the idea and can make up your own hole/note combinations for playing to drones with various pitches. If I have not been clear in my explanation then just ask back here since I am frequently reading the forum posts.
Regards,
– Slim 