How to Improve Singing With Proper Breath Support

Are you breathing? It is something that is done unconsciously, voluntarily, unless you are a vocalist. Vocalists are constantly aware of their singing breath. That is because the breath is the primary carrier of your voice and is therefore, essential to produce a singing voice. If you are singer then you understand the importance of proper breathing techniques. Breathing while you walk, or talk, or simple sit on the couch are different than the breathing you practice when you are singing. Because it is so different, it is ESSENTIAL to a high quality voice. It is also the easiest technique to change when striving to learn how to improve singing.

So what can you change in how we breathe that will increase the quality in our voice? As it is an activity done outside of our awareness, the first thing you can do is take time to discover how you breathe. If you are like most people you will find that when you take in a deep breathe, your chest cavity will expand. This is the most typical form of breathing and the most simple technique to correct when learning how to improve singing.

Breathing into your chest cavity is not an efficient way of breathing if you aspire to be a vocalist. Breathing into your chest cavity results in a shallow, unsupported breath. This is because your breath is ideally supposed to travel deeper into your lung. When you breath deeper into your lungs you are able to use the diaphragm (the primary muscle for contracting and relaxing your lungs) as the support for your breath resulting in a powerful, controlled breath for singing.

To acquire the most efficient breathe support when learning how to improve singing, you should practice the technique of "diaphragmatic breathing." Diaphragmatic breathing involves allowing the breathe to reach the lowest portion of the lungs near the abdomen. If anyone has ever advised you to "sing from your gut," this is what was being talking about.

Not sure how this works? A quick and simple test will tell you if you are practicing diaphragmatic breathing. Stand in front of a mirror with your feet flat on the ground and arms hanging loosely by your side. Take a deep breathe. Did you notice your shoulders rise up? If so, you are probably not practicing proper breathing. Your shoulders will rise when you breath into your chest cavity. Those who get the maximum breath support will see limited shoulder movement and rather an expansion of the abdomen as you breath deeply into your lungs.

To get a better idea of what this diaphragmatic breathing feels like, you can lie on your back with your hands resting on your abdomen. When you take in a deep breathe you will notice your abdomen expanding toward the ceiling. This is because while lying on your back, your breathe is prohibited from getting "stuck" in the chest cavity and is allowed to travel deep into the lungs.

Diaphragmatic breathing can take practice if one is not accustomed to the technique. Observing oneself in a mirror while breathing is the best way to assess whether or not the maximum breathe support is being accessed. Once the technique is mastered, you will be amazed at the effect it will have on your voice. Proper breathe support is attributed to an expanded vocal range as well as increased projection and a higher quality vocal tone.

You can learn more about how to improve singing with voice lessons online.