So You Want to Learn about Breathing...

 We as humans inherently inhale and exhale all day long without a thought about it, the natural occurrence of breathing in and out is what keeps us alive. As singers, we need to find ways to use breathing techniques and the science behind the action of breathing to build our toolbox of knowledge. 

 
  Let's try some breathing exercises to feel some hands on learning. 
Step 1: Inhale through your nose
Step 2: Pause and hold your breath for a few seconds
Step 3: Exhale through rounded lips. 
Try that breathing technique for a few rounds. 
What do you feel? Are you holding tension in your bodying while you are inhaling or holding your breath? Taking the time to focus on your own breathing will set you up for success as your prepare to sing and do other tasks within your day. 

Let's try one more breathing technique. 
Step 1: Inhale through your nose
Step 2: Hiss on your exhale while counting from ten on your fingers. 
Try that technique a few rounds, maybe changing the length of your exhale to eight or twelve. 
How is your body feeling? When you get to the end of your hiss, are you trying to push more air out or is your body relaxing as its finished with that cycle? What if we changed the hiss to a shhh, did anything in change from one try to the other? 

Incorporating exercises like these will increase your awareness of breathing patterns and feelings. How could you then work these exercises into your vocal practicing? 

Remember that we will always strive to improve our singing by utilizing new strategies like the ones presented today or new ones to come to better ourselves as well-rounded vocalists. 


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