How to Improve Your Singing Breath Control: Techniques for Sustained Phrasing

If you’re a singer, you’re probably well aware of how important breath control is to your performance. Proper breath control is essential for sustained phrasing, which is the ability to sing long phrases of music without running out of breath. This skill is particularly important for genres of music like opera, musical theater, and jazz, where long phrases are common.

Why is Breath Control Important?

When you sing, your vocal cords vibrate to produce sound. However, in order to produce sound, you need air to flow over your vocal cords. This is where breath control comes in. Good breath control allows you to regulate the flow of air over your vocal cords, which in turn allows you to produce a steady, controlled sound.

In addition to regulating airflow, good breath control also helps you maintain proper posture and support. When you take a deep breath, your diaphragm expands and your abdominal muscles engage, providing support for your voice. This support is essential for producing a strong, clear tone.

Overall, good breath control is essential for any singer who wants to produce a consistent, controlled sound. In the following sections, we’ll explore some techniques you can use to improve your breath control and sustain your phrasing.

Techniques for Improving Singing Breath Control

Good breath control is essential for any singer who wants to deliver sustained and powerful vocal performances. Here are some techniques that can help you improve your singing breath control:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, is a technique that involves using your diaphragm to take deep breaths. To practice diaphragmatic breathing, sit or stand in a relaxed position and place one hand on your stomach. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your stomach to expand as you breathe in. Then exhale slowly through your mouth, pushing the air out from your diaphragm. Practice this technique regularly to improve your breathing and control.

2. Lip Trills

Lip trills are an effective warm-up exercise that can help you improve your breath control and vocal flexibility. To do lip trills, simply blow air through your lips while keeping them loosely closed. This will create a buzzing sound. Practice this exercise at different pitches and volumes to develop your breath control and vocal range.

3. Tongue Trills

Tongue trills are similar to lip trills, but involve vibrating your tongue instead of your lips. To do tongue trills, place your tongue behind your top teeth and blow air through it, creating a fluttering sound. This exercise can help you develop better breath control and articulation.

4. Sustained Vowel Sounds

Sustained vowel sounds are a great way to improve your breath control and vocal endurance. To practice sustained vowel sounds, sing a vowel sound such as “ah” or “oh” for as long as possible on a single breath. Gradually increase the length of your sustained notes as your breath control improves.

5. Breath Control Exercises

There are many different exercises that can help you improve your breath control as a singer. One effective exercise is to practice holding your breath for progressively longer periods of time, while still maintaining good posture and relaxed muscles. You can also try singing scales or arpeggios while holding your breath to challenge your breath control and stamina.

By incorporating these techniques into your vocal training routine, you can improve your singing breath control and deliver more powerful and sustained performances.

Tips for Sustained Phrasing

Improving your breathing control while singing takes time and consistent practice. Here are some tips to help you achieve sustained phrasing:

1. Practice Slowly

When learning a new song or vocal exercise, it’s essential to start slowly. This will allow you to focus on your breath control and ensure that you’re using proper technique. As you become more comfortable with the song or exercise, gradually increase the tempo. Remember, it’s better to sing slowly and accurately than to rush and sacrifice your breath control.

2. Focus on Breath Support

Breath support is critical for sustained phrasing. To improve your breath support, try the following exercise:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides.
Inhale deeply, expanding your ribcage and filling your lungs with air.
As you exhale, imagine that you’re blowing out a candle. Contract your abdominal muscles to push the air out slowly and steadily.
Repeat this exercise several times, focusing on maintaining a steady flow of air.

3. Use Dynamics

Varying the dynamics of a song can help you achieve sustained phrasing. Experiment with singing softly and gradually increasing your volume as you approach the climax of the song. This will allow you to maintain your breath control while adding emotional depth to your performance.

4. Relax Your Throat

Tension in your throat can hinder your breath control and make it difficult to achieve sustained phrasing. To relax your throat, try the following exercise:

Roll your shoulders back and down and take a deep breath.
As you exhale, make a sighing sound, allowing your throat to relax and open up.
Repeat this exercise several times, focusing on releasing any tension in your throat.

By incorporating these tips into your practice routine, you can improve your breath control and achieve sustained phrasing in your singing. Remember to be patient and consistent with your practice, and you’ll see improvement over time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Improving Your Singing Breath Control

When it comes to improving your singing breath control, there are several common mistakes that singers make that can hinder their progress. Here are three mistakes to avoid:

1. Holding Your Breath

One of the most common mistakes singers make is holding their breath while singing. This can cause tension in the body, particularly in the chest and throat, which can make it difficult to sustain notes and phrases. To avoid this mistake, focus on taking deep, steady breaths before you begin singing and make sure to exhale fully before taking your next breath.

2. Tightening Your Throat

Another mistake that many singers make is tightening their throat while singing. This can cause strain and tension in the vocal cords, which can lead to vocal fatigue and even injury. To avoid this mistake, focus on keeping your throat relaxed and open while singing. Imagine that you are singing with a smile, which can help to keep your throat open and relaxed.

3. Over-Exerting Your Diaphragm

While the diaphragm is an important muscle for singing, over-exerting it can actually hinder your breath control. Many singers make the mistake of trying to force their diaphragm to do too much work, which can cause tension and strain in the body. To avoid this mistake, focus on using your diaphragm in a natural and relaxed way. Take deep breaths and allow your diaphragm to expand and contract naturally as you sing.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your singing breath control and achieve more sustained phrasing in your performances.

Conclusion

Improving your singing breath control is essential if you want to achieve sustained phrasing and sound better as a singer. It takes time and practice, but with the right techniques and exercises, you can improve your breath control and take your singing to the next level.

Key Takeaways

Breath control is key to singing sustained phrases and improving your overall vocal performance.
Proper posture and breathing techniques are essential to achieving better breath control.
Exercises like diaphragmatic breathing, breath support, and controlled exhalation can help improve your breath control.
Consistent practice and vocal training can help you master these techniques and improve your singing breath control over time.

Remember

Improving your singing breath control is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and consistent practice to achieve sustained phrasing and better vocal performance. Keep practicing and incorporating these techniques into your vocal training routine, and you’ll see improvement over time.

Author:	John Doe
Published:	May 1, 2021
Category:	Singing