Do You Inhale Too Much Air?
For a singer, proper breath management is absolutely fundamental. However, when beginning to sing publicly there is a tendency to push too much airflow, sounding breathy. This is often the result of adrenaline, combined with the unfamiliar feedback from monitors and house speakers. If you breathe too much air into your lungs, then push it out too fast, you will compromise your pitch and tone quality. Overexertion can lead to strained vocal cords and voice fatigue, making it difficult to sing sustained notes or maintain vocal clarity. It’s essential that singers develop a sense of control over their breath support and airflow.
Or Do You Breathe In Too Little Air?
On the other hand, there are singers who suddenly get timid as they hear their own vocal through the sound system and are unsure of how to react. Some singers are so distracted they actually forget to breathe and find themselves panicking as a result. Not having enough air can lead to a cascade of mistakes, as their minds race with self-doubt and anxiety. You might stumble over lyrics or lose your place in the song. The once comforting melody becomes a daunting echo, and every note feels like a spotlight shining on your imperfections.
The Goal Is To Have Just the Breath You Need
When you inhale to sing, the goal is to provide the larynx with just the right amount of air, and air pressure, to produce appropriate airflow. That means, of course, that the brain has to know what the demands of the phrase are. The vocal range, length of each note, volume and even the style of the song make a difference. Once you understand this as a result of studying the song, the brain can tell the respiratory system exactly how much breath to provide. As long as the breathing mechanism has been exercised the right way it will have the agility and stamina to do the job.
Does this sound complicated? It might at first because the singing voice is a actually a complex machine that involves your lungs, vocal chords, tongue, abdominal muscles, and diaphragm–not to mention your ears and brain! But the good news is, breath control is natural and will start to happen automatically if you will spend some time training and exercising the different parts of your breath / singing mechanism. It also requires that you spend some time working with and analyzing what you want to do with the song and tailoring your vocal technique appropriately.
Why Some People Breathe So Easily
“But,” you might say, “many singers seem to do it so easily and naturally.” True, but it probably took them a few years for it to become “easy and natural.” Artists and athletes alike appear to become overnight successes, but it seldom happens over night. You just hadn’t heard about them while they were struggling through the training periods. Consistent practice over time leads to muscle memory, which makes proper breath control feel natural. That’s how other singers have learned to manage their breath and this is how you can do the same.
Breathing Exercise For Mastering Your Air Flow
1. Remember That The Voice Is A Wind Instrument
A moving column of air, traveling between the vocal folds is what makes the sound. Therefore, the way you move the air has everything to do with your success!
2. Balanced Posture Is Fundamental To Proper Breathing Technique
Proper bodily alignment allows you free, efficient breathing. Slouching, or sticking the head out over your toes will limit your chances for success.
3. Singers Must Practice Breathing As Its Own Skill
Try these quick breathing exercises
- Use sipping and hissing exercises while maintaining a still posture. That, in turn, leads to good muscle memory.
- As you inhale, remember to feel it down and out. That is, feel your breath expanding fully around the waist area, front, sides and into the lower back.
- As you exhale, keep the back and sides stable. Allow the frontal abdominal wall to come in as needed but keep the back and sides comfortably expanding as you breathe out.
- Dive deeper into breathing exercise and instruction with the Vocal Coach Singer App
Breath Control Is Within Your Grasp
REMEMBER: When you hear a vocalist who seem to have an almost magical touch when they sing, there is a background of serious work that came before this moment. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. And combined with Inspiration and Experience you will be set up for singing success. Do your vocal work the right way and you, too, will sing your best.
