In singing,’ supporting the tone’ refers to a method of breathing that maximizes the support for a singer’s sound. The muscles that make this happen must be synchronized with the larynx.
How we breathe directly impacts the quality of our voice, its volume, pitch, and tone. Understanding how to live correctly will help you become a better singer!
Breathing from the Diaphragm
Everyone knows that proper breathing technique is crucial for singing, but it can be challenging to comprehend what it is and how to practice it. However, a trained teacher can instruct students in the ideal breathing pattern with online voice lessons. Singers frequently believe they must use a lot of air to sing well, but this is untrue.
The opposite is true: singers should learn to breathe from their diaphragm as much as possible. It will not only make them feel more comfortable when they are singing, but it will also help them to improve their sound.
To get started, have your students lie somewhere comfortable and take several short breaths. These breaths should be shallow, almost to the point of gasping.
Breathing from the Nose
Many vocal students think of breath management as a separate activity from singing and that learning to manage the body’s airflow while singing is simply a matter of hard work. It can lead to flawed thinking and faulty breathing techniques, which can cause damage to the vocal cords and larynx over time.
To help combat this:
- Have your singers try the Farinelli maneuver or a variation.
- Have them lie down, put their hands on their stomach, and inhale for four beats.
- Have them exhale for four beats.
- As they do this, have them imagine an imaginary ring around their waist and try to push it outwards with each inhalation.
It will teach them how to use the diaphragm correctly without straining. It is essential for singing high notes that require a lot of breath and power.
Breathing from the Chest
The execution of fast phrases and sentences in a song requires snatching a breath in or out quickly. Breathing exercises can help singers develop this skill without undue stress on their support muscles. Forbes Music Company offers students the opportunity to cultivate and master various breathing techniques with the assistance of qualified instructors.
Breath pacing is a crucial singing technique that helps singers avoid typical errors, including gasping for air between breath renewals, consuming a lot of oxygen before singing, and having erratic breathing patterns during the entire vocal cycle (inhalation, phonation, and expiration). It also allows singers to better manage their voice during high tessituras by matching their breath levels to the demands of the song.
Begin by having your students stand or sit up straight, with their heads balanced and feet firmly on the floor. Then, have them inhale as if sipping through a straw and exhale immediately.
Breathing from the Abdomen
Some teachers have their students practice the Lamaze style of breathing that is sometimes used in childbirth classes. While this can strengthen the abdominal muscles, it does not mimic the rhythmic breathing patterns needed to support singing well. It can lead to pushing (or ‘panting’) during phonation, negatively impacting vocal endurance.
To learn to breathe from the abdomen:
- Have your singers lie on their back with one hand on the chest and another on the belly.
- Tell them to inhale deeply, imagining that their stomach expands outward.
- Have them exhale and let their ribs collapse inward.
It is horizontal or diaphragmatic breathing. If they can do this, they will feel the difference that good support makes in their voice. Practice this until they are comfortable with it.
Breathing from the Throat
Many singers are familiar with the idea that it is essential to use proper breathing techniques when singing. However, there are several different approaches to how this can be done.
One common technique is to have singers inhale and exhale through a straw. It can help to strengthen the muscles that support breathing and allow for better singing.
Another approach is to have singers perform exercises that flex the abdominal muscles. It can improve the overall tone of a voice and increase its range. It can also help reduce the risk of neck, shoulders, and face tension that can sometimes result from incorrect breath support. It can help create a spin in the tone on each sustain, known as vibrato.
