Lesson 17 - Dynamics

I'm having trouble with the exercise.  I'm running out of breath.  What do you suggest?

Hi, Karen!

- Maintain good posture with the chest lifted and ribs expanded! (That's more important than anything else, because once your shoulders roll forward and your chest collapses, it's much harder to stay supported). 

- Relax belly muscles for a low, relaxed (medium-sized) breath.

- Engage those muscles (intercostals and lower abdominals) to keep the ribcage expanded - but know that you will lose some of that expansion as you use your air. We do want air flow, and we don't want "locked" muscles. Feel this action by breathing in and suspending (holding) the air for a second or two before exhaling. You can also feel the correct (gentle) muscle engagement by singing on a lip trill. 

- If your posture and body are working well, but you're still running out of breath: be aware of extra air leaking through your vocal folds. If that's an issue, try singing with a slightly stronger, "clean" tone. If you can't do that yet, train firmer cord compression by using a warmup syllable like "GIHG" or "GUHG". 

Here are a few more lessons from different teachers on breath support:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDrhkt8KIA4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Tj72oNsrY&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9z-rnZ_OyE

Thanks so much :) 

You're welcome, Karen!