Singing Lessons Videos
Singing Lessons Videos are now available here.
Singing Lessons – Lesson II Breathing for Singing
Breathing for Singing
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Singing and speaking are based on breathing.
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When you sing or speak air is pushed through your vocal chords – this makes them vibrate to produce the sound of your voice… obviously this means that breathing control is essential for singing
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Breathing for singing is regulated by the ensemble of your diaphragm, your intercostal muscles and your abdominal muscles
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Your diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle at the bottom of your rib cage; it moves downward (your belly rises somewhat) while you are inhaling and it moves upward while you are exhaling (your belly deflates somewhat)… what is important for your diaphragm is that it has the space to function properly – that is provided by the proper posture outlined in my previous post… your diaphragm is the key muscle for breathing, thus it is obviously very important, yet for singing it is equally important to work with your intercostal and abdominal muscles
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When you breathe air is going into your lungs and for singing you want to make your lung capacity expand because that air is the ‘fuel’ of your voice
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You increase your lung capacity by using your intercostal muscles which are the muscles in between your ribs – as you inhale and stretch your capacity to expand your intercostal muscles (your chest) your lungs also expand because your ribs and lungs are attached to each other
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You do not have to think about taking in a lot of air by grasping at or gulping the breathe; all you have to think about is moving and stretching your intercostal muscles to allow you chest and lungs to expand – then air comes in automatically and this is how to breathe quickly and quietly
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When you start to sing be sure that your ribs do not collapse (keep your chest lifted off your waist as stated in the posture post)… if you do allow your ribs to collapse you lose control and tone
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Instead of collapsing your ribs keep them expanded; hold your abdominal muscles in and gently lift them up to ensure that your chest stays lifted (this is not so much a sucking your belly in; it is more that your abdominal muscles are firm and toned to provide support)
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The support of your abdominal muscles also:
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Takes the strain off your vocal chords
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Helps you to control your voice
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And it also helps to increase your vocal range and volume level
Next time I’ll cover: Singing Warm Ups…
Your True Singing Voice Shines in 4 Basic Steps
The Basics: Step1
Good Posture releases your Singing Voice
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Proper posture is vital while singing because your body is your instrument
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Your posture effects the position of your larynx (your larynx is your voicebox; your larynx houses your vocal folds/chords; sound is generated in your larynx, and it is also where pitch and volume are manipulated – strength of expiration from your lungs also contributes to loudness)
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Your posture also effects your body’s breathing mechanisms and your supporting muscles
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The best posture position for singing is standing so that you are sure that your diaphragm, which is the muscle for breathing, is free to function properly
- Stand with your feet flat on the floor, place your feet shoulder width apart and slightly turned out; balance your weight evenly over both feet and allow it to be somewhat forward toward the balls of your feet rather than your heels
- Avoid…
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Shifting your weight to one side by ’sitting’ into one hip
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Do not lock your knees
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Do not over-tense your thighs
- Do not lift your chin so that the back of your neck shortens
- Do…
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Relax, be at ease yet, alert not collapsed
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Relax your shoulders back and down
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Lift your chest off your waist without straining (again – free your diaphragm)
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Lengthen the back of your neck and be sure that your neck and head can move freely and your throat feels open
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If you are in a situation where you will be seated while singing:
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Sit with your hips higher than your knees so that your abdominal muscles can support your voice
- Maintaining a good posture makes you feel good about yourself; in turn this gives you confidence to be able to give a good performance
Next post I’ll cover Breathing for your Singing Voice…
The Art and Science to Discover your True Singing Voice – A Journey
The art and science of singing comes out of straightforward foundations. Each of these ideas requires the appropriate amount of time and energy to comprehend, apply and master. Also, each and every vocalist is gifted with a distinct array of faculties and attitudes, which when combined with the particular individual’s unique education, independent exploration, special style, and preference of composition, greatly influences the presentation as well as the engagement of the audience.
In this light it is foreseeable that you will encounter many different approaches to composition, different ways of singing, and different concepts regarding how sound should be produced as you immerse yourself in the art of singing. At times you will even discover information that you were taught by one source that is to a certain degree opposed by another, yet the situation is always cleared up through the evidence of what works for you.
Thus your best direction is to be proactive which means that you rehearse and perform a lot (without straining of course); embrace each of the learning experiences that comes your way; appreciate every analysis, every admiration, every critique. At the end of the day, take what you need and leave the rest. As you journey whenever an obvious opportunity to aid a fellow performer arises, grasp it firmly without hesitation, as it will profit you both because it is a way for you to harmonize the art of living and the art of singing!
Singing Secret Intro
Singing Secret is what you connect with through the link above. View the very short video to see what I mean.
I’ll see you in the next video that reveals the Singing Secret about how to have a great Singing Voice… the video is about Vocal Performance; you’ll be glad that you took a minute to learn this Singing Secret.
