“Truly to sing, that is a different breath.” Rainer Maria Rilke, a German poet defines what it means to truly sing with a free and pure tone.
The Breath
Singing all starts with breathing. Without the breath, the vocal cords would not vibrate and no sound would be heard at all. Most people breathe incorrectly, taking short shallow breaths where their shoulders rise and fall. These types of breaths only fill up part of the lungs and do not provide enough power to sing. A true “belly breath” as singers call them starts from the diaphragm muscle and expands throughout the lower part of your chest. This type of breath will not make your shoulders rise, and it will fill the entire lungs. This type of breath provides the power and support to create a powerful and pure vocal tone. Not only does the breath contribute to singing freely, but the entire body can not be filled with any tension.
Releasing Tension
Tension within muscles, especially within the neck area, will create a restricted and tight sound. A lot of singers and musicians study the Alexander Technique. Alexander Technique is a way of learning to rid your body of harmful tension. A simple way to put this technique into singing is to make sure that your ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders, arms, neck, and head feel free within space and are comfortable in their alignment.
Tension-free and breath supported singing are the keys to having a free and pure vocal tone. Use that belly breath and be aware of your own body in space, then be amazed at the beautiful sounds you can create!
Learn these techniques and more while studying with our amazing voice instructors at Vibe Music Academy!
- Jessie Ann Bolash, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
