Introduction
Breathing is so natural and automatic to us; it’s hard to believe that we could be doing it wrong. It is also the foundation of singing, and without proper breath control, your performance may fall flat. Breathing is often overlooked as a crucial aspect of singing, but mastering it can take your performance from average to extraordinary. With these simple yet effective vocal breathing exercises, you’ll learn how to control your breath, support your voice, and add that extra oomph to your singing that will make heads turn. So, let’s take a look at 6 easy breath support exercises that will take your voice to the next level.
Diaphragmatic breathing
At first, diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, may seem strange or even odd. But, it starts to feel comfortable again after we build up those muscles. Shortness of breath when singing is caused by shallow breathing, which is caused by a weak diaphragm.
Diaphragmatic breathing is important for singing because it allows singers to take in deep, controlled breaths that provide sufficient air support for their vocals.
When singing, the diaphragm provides the necessary support to create sustained notes, project the voice, and maintain vocal control. It also helps to prevent strain on the vocal cords, as well as tension in the neck and shoulders.
Nevertheless, reparation and suspension should be included as extra measures for vocalists. While singing, it’s crucial to make sure that our soft palates are softened and expanded before we inhale and that our tongues are perfectly positioned and relaxed just behind our teeth. After our body is relaxed, our sides, back, and belly are all extended, and our pelvic floor is contracted, we then begin to inhale.
When in suspension, we pause to consider how much air to let out and how long it should continue based on the wording. Exhalation is when phonation occurs. A lovely, powerful voice should come through if the steps of the procedure are appropriately followed.
6 Easy and Effective Singing Breathing Exercises
These exercises can help you improve your breathing technique, control, and endurance while singing.
- Lip trills: Lip trills are very helpful for singing extended phrases without interruptions in the notes, a technique known as legato. They also help you relax your facial muscles while maintaining a steady airflow. A siren, or a pitch glide from your lowest to highest note and back to the lowest, is the simplest method to begin a lip trill. Practice this exercise several times to develop a warm, smooth tone in your voice. This is a great exercise which is taught even while taking courses in singing by professionals.
- Siren exercise: This exercise helps to improve your pitch control and range. Begin by inhaling deeply and then exhaling with a smooth, continuous “siren” sound, starting from a low note and gradually rising to a high note. Then, reverse the process and lower the pitch. This exercise can be done with or without words, depending on your preference.
- Counting exercise: This exercise is great for building endurance and lung capacity. Inhale deeply and then exhale while counting to ten. As you progress, you can increase the count to fifteen, twenty, or more. The key is to keep your breath steady and controlled throughout the exercise.
- Breath holds: For a healthy singing voice you should practice this exercise as it helps to improve your breath control and endurance. Inhale deeply and hold your breath for several seconds. Then, exhale slowly and hold your breath again for several seconds. Repeat for several breaths. This exercise can also be done with different lengths of breath to challenge yourself.
- Yoga breathing: Another vocal breathing exercise is yoga breathing which is a great way to improve your breathing technique, lung capacity, and overall health. Kapalabhati breathing involves rapid, forceful exhalations through your nose, followed by passive inhalations. Ujjayi breathing involves constricting the back of your throat to create a hissing sound as you inhale and exhale. These exercises can be challenging, so it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity over time.
- Straw breathing: Your voice chords may be stretched and reset by blowing through a straw. It is especially beneficial for those with low vocal registers who talk or sing. To put it simply, put a straw in your mouth and do a pitch glide from your lowest to highest note. Continue doing this for a few minutes. Use your abdominal muscles to add some accents after that.
Your abdomen should only be used throughout the endeavor; your neck should not be used at all. And lastly, sing along to your favorite song via the straw. After doing these exercises, you ought to notice a shift in the direction of your voice, from your chest to your eyes.
Conclusion
The first step to improving as a vocalist is to master effective breathing methods. Breathing exercises may help your vocal support while also giving you greater control over the form, texture, and tone. It might be challenging to maintain diaphragmatic breathing at times. By employing these techniques and regularly training your diaphragm to extend deeper and longer, you can create a solid foundation for yourself. Lastly, practice a lot and keep singing since singing is both a talent and a skill, and breathing exercises are the key to both.
