How to Breath Management - The Key to Better Singing

The three goals of most singers are :How to hold a note when singing and not run out of air, increase the vocal range (sing higher or lower) and to be able to project the tone (sing louder). This must all be learned in such a way that no damage to the vocal cords will occur.

Because the tone "rides" on air, we must learn how to breathe from the diaphragm and intercostal areas.

This article introduces the breathing system.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. To learn how to inhale air for singing (and better health), you must inflate your abdomen and costal area at the same time as you inhale.
   The best way to teach your body how to do this is to lie on the floor on your back. Bend your knees with your feet flat on the ground. Relax your body and take a few deep breaths.

2. Place a book (phone book) on your belly, centered at the waistline. Lift the book expanding at the waistline (you want both the ribcage and the belly to expand simultaneously). Once you expand, hold the book for the count of 5 then s-l-o-w-l-y lower the book until the belly is flat. DO NOT LIFT THE SHOULDERS during this exercise. Always maintain a relaxed feeling in the neck and shoulders. Repeat several times.

3. Now you are ready to test your ability to hold and sustain sound. Repeat the above exercise. Be sure you inhale quickly, hold for 5 counts and make a long hisssing sound as you lower the book. Repeat this exercise replacing the hisssing sound with a light tone on an eeeee holding it as long as you can. After singing through each vowel (ah, eh, ee, oh, oo)remove the book and practice until inflation is easy.

4. In a standing position, with your hand positioned exactly where the book was placed, practice each of the exercises in step 3. Sing some of the vowels on a medium, high and low tone. You may then want to try singing something simple like "Happy Birthday to You" all on one breath (not to fast) to test your new way of controling your air.

Tips & Warnings

• See how far you can count on one breath by singing the numbers on one tone.
• Sing the entire alphabet as many times as you can.
• This is your new way of breathing. Be aware of belly breath all the time.
• Always keep your neck and shoulders relaxed.
• When standing, unlock the knees.
• All exercises should be performed when relaxed. Never force any movement.
• If you become light headed, stop the exercise. Sit down, drink water.

[nanamusicgirl]

on 9/23/2009 This is Excellent. Thank you for the breathing lesson...love it. I sing a lot, not professional, weddings, church. I've sung since I was 3 also.
5 stars. Recommended you also, and subscribed to you!!!!

[handyblog]

on 8/12/2009 That's so true, I always mess up a good song because of that - I'll have to try this!

[WordWhizKid]

on 11/18/2008 Thanks for all the tips! My singing voice really needs help~ I'm just going for bearable!;)

[Melodydafna]

on 11/12/2008 great article. i am a student of speech-language pathology and have an adult voice client who could really benefit from this article to address his inefficient breath support and difficulty with sustained phonation. This is a great step-by-step, concrete approach to proper breath support management.
Thank you for posting the article- highly informative.

[MommyBear]

on 11/6/2008 Great article. Very fun to read and very informative! Breathing properly is important in singing! Thanks for sharing. 5*****