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Tips on Breathing for Singers
By Helen Astrid
When you start to learn singing, it's important to spend some time making sure that you are breathing properly. Here are some tips that could help you improve your breathing.
Posture is crucial to a good singer. If you hunch your shoulders or arch your back, it's impossible to breathe fully. When you start your routine, check that you are standing comfortably straight and that you are relaxed. Let go of any tension in your body.
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Start by breathing in and out slowly and quietly, concentrating on where the breath is going. Try to feel the air going down into your tummy, as your ribs gently expand. As you breathe out the tummy comes in (but don't suck in) as you gently allow the air back out.
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Keep your shoulders relaxed throughout your routine, especially when you breathe in as it's easy to raise them.
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Keep your jaw relaxed. If you're trying hard to take in a lot of breath you may clench the jaw without realizing. Although we want to take in a good breath it mustn't be so big that you tense up.
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The diaphragm should work to help you control your breathing. It is a sheet of muscle separating the thorax (chest area) and the abdomen. You can feel it working if place your hand just below your ribs and above your tummy and then pant like a dog. To do this, breathe out quickly and strongly, causing the “in” breath to happen automatically. Try doing this in groups of five.
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With the exception of the panting exercise above, breathing out should never feel forced. As you sing a phrase, aim to feel as though you are allowing the air to float out whilst supporting the musical phrase, rather than pushing it out.
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As with all singing training, you'll need to find a balance between working the breathing apparatus and overdoing it. Little and often is the best way to improve your breathing. As soon as tension creeps into your body, you're overdoing it!
Development of good breathing will be a gradual process, so devote a small part of your routine to breathing each time you practice. You'll notice I have repeated the word “relax” a few times, so it will come as no surprise that I consider it vital to remove tension if you want to breathe well for singing.
© Helen Astrid 2008.
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