This flutist can inspire without interrupting the music

The flute is played sideways, with an instrument traditionally made of hardwood or bamboo. To accompany the long Mongolian melodies, some performers use a technique that seems to contradict the ordinary need to catch your breath: circular breathing.

During an inhalation through the nose, the air preserved in the cheeks continues to be expelled through the mouth. The sound can thus be prolonged without the pause that would be caused by a habitual inspiration. This requires special learning, in addition to the mastery of the fingers and the language.

UNESCO describes traditional exercises using a straw in a glass of water to learn how to maintain the flow. The technique therefore does not abolish breathing: it organizes a temporary reserve allowing to move from one phase to the other. The breath continues to come in and out, while the music gives the impression of not stopping.