@Doodlin said in How many measures on a tank of air?:
As my beginner book progresses, the training wheels are just about off. That means the "breath marks" are no longer indicated. Is it more of a phrasing thing?
Very much so, but as a rule of thumb, try to fit breaths in when they will be least interruptive to the intent of the music. Make the breaths seamless, invisible. Additionally, there may be several choices involved where a breath is needed, decide on the best case of the lot. For example, never take a breath in a slurred legato run or sustained hold.
I need to be better at it myself, but at least I have a notion of what it should be.......