Breathing
Before actually starting to sing, it is important to start breathing properly and from the diaphragm. Start with simple exercises such as hissing. Inhale deeply and then make a hissing sound, continuing until as much air as possible has been expelled. Repeat several times, but be sure to breathe using the diaphragm, not by moving the shoulders up and down, which is a common sign of an untrained breather.
After, use lip trills and tongue trills to help control breathing as well. Start just using a steady note, then making a "fire engine sound" go up and down. Eventually move to real notes, starting in the middle range, such as middle C.
Read more about this topic: Vocal Warm Up, Methods
Famous quotes containing the word breathing:
“Mark the babe
Not long accustomed to this breathing world;
One that hath barely learned to shape a smile,
Though yet irrational of soul, to grasp
With tiny finger—to let fall a tear;
And, as the heavy cloud of sleep dissolves,
To stretch his limbs, bemocking, as might seem,
The outward functions of intelligent man.”
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
“Cows are amongst the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them; and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures.”
—Thomas De Quincey (1785–1859)
“Nobody, but nobody, is going to stop breathing on me.”
—Virginia Apgar (1909–1974)