Practice Tips
We often forget to practice breathing as it comes so naturally to all of us. No matter the age of the singer, the quality of sound improves when there is enough breath to support the line of singing. We all must practice breathing.
Five Count
1. Lie down with your arms at your sides. You may use a pillow to support your head. You may do this seated, but you must be seated in a straight chair. If seated, to get your posture, raise your arms over your head so that you feel a lengthening between your hips and shoulders. Then start the exercise with your hands on your lap.
2 . Breathe in to the count of five. Notice what is moving.
3. Hold your breath to the count of five. Notice what is going on in your body.
4. Exhale to the count of five.
5. Relax and repeat.
As you develop your muscles, you may increase the count by one. This is very good for calming down and getting your body to relax. DO NOT DO THIS WHILE DRIVING!!!!
Resistance Bend over (You can do this from a chair or from a standing position)
1. Bend over from the waist, letting your arms dangle at your sides. Try to get your torso to be parallel to the floor.
2. With an audible inhalation, raise your arms so that that are parallel to the floor.
3. On an audible exhalation, lower your arms to the beginning posture.
Do three sets of 10 every day. This develops the back muscles and is a great resistance exercise. When you have to take a quick, full breath, you can rely on this training.
Re-energizing Fire Breath
1. Put your arms over your head with your thumbs pointing toward each other.
2. Pant through your nose with your mouth closed. Try this for 30 seconds at first.
You may be surprised that 30 seconds is a long time . . .
4-7-8
This breathing exercise is often called the “fight or flight” exercise as it has a calming effect. Breathe in to the count of 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8.
Vocalize every day. Not in your car or sitting in a comfortable chair! You can do something as easy as humming, keeping your back molars apart a bit. See how high and low you can hum. Sighing is also very good as a warm up. Stretch your arms and legs, move your head in a circular motion, touch your right ear to your right shoulder, and left ear to left shoulder. Stay limber.
This is a link to some practicing tips which you may find very helpful: