Breathing for Singing — Times Are Changing
For a long time, breathing was considered the cornerstone of singing technique. Many vocal lessons focused primarily on mastering breathing exercises, with the belief that better breath control would automatically result in better singing. However, as our understanding of the voice has evolved, we now know that the voice is far more complex than just how we breathe.
Today, science has shown that the vocal folds themselves are responsible for resisting the air pressure during singing. This means that singing is not just about controlling your breath but also about coordinating the vocal folds, the muscles of the larynx, and the resonators. The voice, in fact, works as one integrated system, where every part plays a role in creating sound.
But there’s an important caveat: If your vocal folds are leaking air, it doesn't matter how many breathing exercises you do, you’ll still run out of air. If the folds aren't fully closing, air escapes, making it impossible to sustain a note without feeling winded, regardless of your breath control.
Want to find out what’s going on with your voice? In our membership, personalised feedback and tailored exercises are included. We will help you figure out if your problem has to do with your breathing, poor vocal fold closure or something else!
Breathing in Classical vs. Modern Singing
In classical singing, where there is often more reliance on head voice, many singers experience a lack of vocal fold closure, which can lead to more air leakage. This is why classical singers often find themselves focusing heavily on breath control. If the air isn't properly managed by the vocal folds, it’s difficult to sustain long phrases.
However, in modern singing styles, balanced use of chest voice and mix tends to create a fuller vocal fold closure, which reduces the air leakage. When you start to sing with more balance across all registers, there’s less need to focus intensely on breathing exercises. The air is naturally managed by the vocal folds, and you’ll find that breath control becomes a much smaller focus in your vocal training.
The Role of the Diaphragm: It’s Not About "Singing From the Diaphragm"
The diaphragm is the main muscle involved in breathing, and it plays a key role in creating space for air when you inhale. As the diaphragm lowers, it creates a vacuum that pulls air into the lungs. When exhaling, the diaphragm relaxes and the air is pushed out.
It’s a common myth that singers “sing from the diaphragm,” but in reality, the diaphragm’s job is to move air in and out, not to directly produce sound. When breathing for singing, the goal is to engage the diaphragm efficiently during inhalation, but it’s the coordinated effort of other muscles around your ribs and core that helps you manage airflow when you sing.
Remember: your belly expanding when you inhale is a sign that the diaphragm is descending. So, no need to suck in your stomach while singing. Instead, focus on letting your belly naturally expand as you inhale to allow space for your breath. Also check your shoulders. If they are going up as you inhale, it’s a sign that you need to work on diaphragmatic breathing.
Controlled Exhalation: Gradual Release is Key to Breath Support
Proper breath support comes down to controlling your exhale. Rather than releasing all your air at once, the key is to gradually ease it out, maintaining a steady flow of air. This is what many refer to when they talk about “breath support.”
In fact, if you try to push out all your air too quickly, you’ll end up losing control of your sound. By controlling the release of air gradually, you provide your vocal folds with the right amount of pressure for a steady, controlled tone. This gradual exhalation isn’t easy to achieve, it requires practice and awareness.
Breathing Is a 360-Degree Experience
Breathing isn’t just about the diaphragm. When you inhale, you want to expand all around the rib cage, not just the front or sides. Engaging your rib cage muscles can help you create the space needed for a full, deep breath.
Your body posture and alignment are also key factors in how efficiently you breathe. For example, locking your knees or slumping your posture can restrict airflow. However, when your posture is aligned and your body is relaxed, you allow your muscles to engage more freely, which supports better breathing.
Ready to Improve Your Breathing? Here’s a Taste of What You Can Do
Breathing exercises are an essential part of improving your singing technique. For example, try this simple exercise:
Inhale deeply, expanding your belly and ribs.
Gradually release the air, saying “ssssss” as long as you can, trying to maintain an even, controlled flow of air.
You can also test your breath control with an exercise like singing the alphabet on one breath, gradually increasing the length of the phrase to challenge your ability to sustain your exhale.
These exercises are a small part of what you'll find in the How the Voice Works course, where we guide you through the proper techniques and breathing exercises designed to improve your vocal stamina and sound. Of course, we don’t only work on breathing, but also what you can do to make sure that your vocal folds are working optimally.
Join our membership to take the How the Voice Works course. You’ll get personalised feedback, exclusive exercises, and a deeper understanding of how to make your voice stronger and more resilient.
Check out this blog post to learn more about How the Voice Works.
Listen to the podcast episode below to learn more about inhalation and singing.
