The Secret to Good Singing
As many of you know, I am a singer.
I sing at school, I sing at church, I even sing in my sleep! I AM A SINGER! So, those who know that about me ask the question what is the secret to good singing? And my answer is..
...
(drumroll, please..
..
) THE BREATH! Yes, not as exciting as you thought it would be, huh? But, check this out..
A good voice starts with taking in a full breath, not the kind where your shoulders are involved, but one where your ribcage and abdomen are involved.
The goal is to be engaged, not stiff and tense.
Releasing the abdominals to let air flow to the lower parts of the lungs in is the key to a good breath.
Why, your diaphragm, that wonderful muscle we all talk about, is right under your lungs, and controls the pressure of the air flowing out! So, if you take a breath that is 'high' (in other words, clavicular, with your shoulders involved), your diaphragm has nothing to push out! Thus, no support.
Breath support is the second part of good breathing.
Inhaling a nice low breath is a task in itself, now, how you release that breath is another skill that must be attained to be a good singer.
Like I said earlier, the diaphragm controls the output.
Here's an example, place one hand just under the 'v' in your ribcage and one on your belly button.
Now,cough.
Notice that the hand on the belly button went in, and the one under the ribcage, came out.
That is our goal when we sing.
That same 'gusto' movement.
Now, take in a good low breath through your nose, and blow with your mouth.
Blow as if your breath needs to hit the farthest other point in the room.
Really make it go somewhere.
This is the fervor needed in good singing.
In conclusion, allowing the breath to control the sound, as opposed to the throat, neck, shoulders, tongue, nose, or anything else, will make singing easier and more beautiful, no matter what or where you sing.
Relax everything else, and just breathe! I promise, you'll hear a difference.
Be blessed, and happy singing! PS- I welcome your comments and thoughts, if you found this helpful in any way, please let me know!!
I sing at school, I sing at church, I even sing in my sleep! I AM A SINGER! So, those who know that about me ask the question what is the secret to good singing? And my answer is..
...
(drumroll, please..
..
) THE BREATH! Yes, not as exciting as you thought it would be, huh? But, check this out..
A good voice starts with taking in a full breath, not the kind where your shoulders are involved, but one where your ribcage and abdomen are involved.
The goal is to be engaged, not stiff and tense.
Releasing the abdominals to let air flow to the lower parts of the lungs in is the key to a good breath.
Why, your diaphragm, that wonderful muscle we all talk about, is right under your lungs, and controls the pressure of the air flowing out! So, if you take a breath that is 'high' (in other words, clavicular, with your shoulders involved), your diaphragm has nothing to push out! Thus, no support.
Breath support is the second part of good breathing.
Inhaling a nice low breath is a task in itself, now, how you release that breath is another skill that must be attained to be a good singer.
Like I said earlier, the diaphragm controls the output.
Here's an example, place one hand just under the 'v' in your ribcage and one on your belly button.
Now,cough.
Notice that the hand on the belly button went in, and the one under the ribcage, came out.
That is our goal when we sing.
That same 'gusto' movement.
Now, take in a good low breath through your nose, and blow with your mouth.
Blow as if your breath needs to hit the farthest other point in the room.
Really make it go somewhere.
This is the fervor needed in good singing.
In conclusion, allowing the breath to control the sound, as opposed to the throat, neck, shoulders, tongue, nose, or anything else, will make singing easier and more beautiful, no matter what or where you sing.
Relax everything else, and just breathe! I promise, you'll hear a difference.
Be blessed, and happy singing! PS- I welcome your comments and thoughts, if you found this helpful in any way, please let me know!!
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