The Truth About Breath Control

by Cari Cole

Most beginning singers and even some pro’s who have not studied tend to “muscle” the voice in an effort to control the pitch and sound. If you are lifting your chin forward or straining for the high notes this is usually an indication of using too much muscle and not enough breath control and/or support from the right places.

“Muscling” the vocal instrument is the most common problem singers have in the beginning and during training — some singers who have even trained for years still “muscle” their voices. Either they were not trained correctly or did not have enough discipline to make the changes from “muscling” the voice to the proper alignment and correct vocal techniques to maintain the balance of air and muscle necessary for “free” singing.

Observe singers as they sing and notice what they do. Do their neck muscles bulge out as they hit notes – or does it appear as if they are physically doing very little, yet their voice is strong powerful? Listen for the sound of the voice when a singer reaches up for a note and appears to be straining. When you see a singer who doesn’t appear to be straining for notes, notice the sound of their voice. Do you hear the difference?

Can you make that difference?