Take a Minute to Sing Episode 2: Breath

There is nothing more important in singing technique than learning how to breathe properly. This may seem like a no-brainer, since we all breathe 24 hours a day. Understanding the process of inhalation is first. When someone is sleeping, you will see the stomach and ribs expand to take in air.  Beginning singers think filling up the upper lungs is the way to breathe for singing, but this is not efficient. It is called “clavicular” breathing and it is used when we are exhausted and gasping for breath. So when taking in the air to prepare the breath, try expanding the ribs, lowering and expanding the diaphragm. The other part of this equation is the “quiet” surprise. Think of a child being told “We’re going to Disneyland!”  The throat expands and opens up to make more room for this sudden need of extra air. A forced surprise is too extreme, but the quiet surprise opens the throat the best way to prepare the air for singing.

Here are some bullet points from Take a Minute to Sing Episode 2:

• How we naturally prepare the breath for singing
• Practice the “child-like” or “quiet” surprise
• Expand ribs and lower the diaphragm
• Coordinate the quiet surprise and expanding the diaphragm
• Rehearse maintaining breath pressure (tucking) from the inside-out to slow up the exhalation
• Sing a sustained note while “holding” breath
• Sing a song by preparing air before each phrase