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Our
Vocal Music Tip
today is an answer to a very
common question: How do
I project my
voice?
One
of the ways to project
your voice is by learning how to breathe
properly. Breathing is defined as the alternate inhalation and
exhalation of air during respiration.
Breathing
greatly affects
voice projection. Generally, a good breath control is essential if you
want to sing safely and powerfully.
There
are two very important
body parts that we use when we breathe:
the lungs
and the diaphragm.
The lungs are commonly
used as air storage. Just underneath the lungs is the diaphragm.
As
a Vocal Coach I always
advise my students to use their diaphragm
when singing. Why? Because the diaphragm is one of the main muscles
responsible for generating a powerful voice. (There is another kind of
muscles that I
will mention later).
The
diaphragm is in its
resting (convex) position during exhalation.
When you breathe in, the diaphragm moves downward into a concave
position making room for your lungs to take in air. This is an
automatic movement and the only way you can control this is during
inhalation.
As
you release the air
together with the words of the song you are
singing, your sound volume decreases unless you use your diaphragm to
support your voice.
Aside
from the diaphragm,
there is another set of muscles that play a
very important role in generating a powerful voice, the lower abdominal
muscles.
These
are the muscles located just underneath the diaphragm.
The
lower abdominal muscles
should be in a relaxed position when
breathing in. This would mean that when you breathe out as you sing,
the muscles will contract, pushing and controlling the air flow.
Simple
Breathing Exercise:
Remember
to breathe in
through your nose and breathe out through your
mouth. And as you breathe in the lower abdominal muscles should expand
and contract as you breathe out. You may put your right or left palm on
your tummy so you can feel the expansion and contraction of the lower
abdominal muscles.
Do
this gradually a few
times. It might take a while to co-ordinate.
Practice this exercise at a maximum of 1 minute per set of inhalation
and exhalation. then take another 1 minute rest and then do it again up
to a maximum of 5 minutes only. Remember to drink water in between
rests.
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DISCLAIMER
NOTE:
To
avoid any medical complications,
consult your health professional before you perform this exercise.
Vocal Music Education and Ben Noynay shall not be liable to any medical
condition of anyone as a result of doing this exercise.
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