3.2 Breath Support and Control

Breath support and control are crucial for singers, forming the foundation of vocal production and enabling sustained notes and phrases. Proper breathing techniques allow for dynamic control, promote vocal health, and reduce tension in the neck and throat muscles during singing.

Mastering diaphragmatic breathing, engaging intercostal muscles, and practicing breath pacing are key techniques for breath support. Singers can improve their skills through exercises like lying on the floor with a book on the abdomen and incorporating breath control into vocal warm-ups.

Breath Support and Control in Singing

Role of proper breathing

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• Provides the foundation for vocal production by supplying air to the vocal folds for vibration (singing)
• Enables sustained notes and phrases by maintaining a steady stream of air
• Allows for control over dynamics and expression supporting softer (pianissimo) and louder (fortissimo) singing
• Facilitates changes in volume and intensity throughout a musical piece
• Promotes vocal health and longevity by preventing strain on the vocal folds (vocal cords)
• Reduces tension in the neck and throat muscles during singing

Techniques for breath support

• Diaphragmatic breathing engages the diaphragm muscle for inhalation allowing the belly to expand outward
• Maintain a steady stream of air during exhalation by controlling the diaphragm's ascent
• Intercostal muscle engagement expands the ribcage laterally during inhalation maintaining an open, lifted posture
• Breath pacing and management involves taking quick, silent breaths between phrases (musical lines)
• Avoid gasping or audible inhalation which can disrupt the musical flow
• Regulate the release of air during long phrases to sustain notes evenly

Diaphragm and abdominal engagement

• Breathing exercises such as lying on the floor with a book on the abdomen
  1. Inhale deeply, allowing the book to rise with the expanding belly
  2. Exhale slowly, controlling the descent of the book by engaging abdominal muscles
• Practice "hissing" exercises to engage abdominal muscles
  1. Inhale deeply, filling the lungs with air
  2. Exhale slowly while making a hissing sound (sss) focusing on maintaining a steady stream of air
• Incorporate diaphragmatic breathing into vocal warm-ups by singing scales (major, minor) or arpeggios (broken chords)
• Gradually increase the length of phrases during practice to build breath control and stamina

Breath management for phrasing

• Analyze song lyrics and melodic phrases to identify opportune moments for quick breaths (rests, pauses)
• Practice sustaining phrases without running out of air by controlling the release of breath
• Use breath support to create crescendos (gradually louder) and decrescendos (gradually softer)
• Experiment with varying levels of breath pressure for different dynamics (piano, forte)
• Connect emotional intent with breath management for expressive singing conveying mood and character
• Practice short, detached notes (staccato) with quick, controlled breaths between each note
• Sing smooth, connected phrases (legato) with sustained breath support maintaining an even tone
• Develop the ability to transition between staccato and legato singing by adjusting breath control