Breath Control
Breath Control is the ability to consciously direct air motion, direction, volume and speed.
The three important elements of breath control you've learned so far:
- Motion: Is your breath moving or still inside of your vocal core?
- Direction: Is your air moving into or out of the vocal core?
- Volume/Capacity: Comfortable full and air out.
The next most important element of air motion is speed.
A clear, ringing core tone requires a steady air flow or movement.
Your vocal resonating spaces are sustained in an open position with a constant and even flow of breath current.
If air pressure is not constant, the resonating spaces collapse, your voice will crack and change tone quality.
Begin with the vocal core
All breathing begins in the upper body, in your upper respiratory system, from your nose to your mouth.
Other parts of your body move in relation to this area. You are training your attention to your breathing in the vocal core area first, in order to dis-entangle unconscious breathing limitations and habits.
If you have larynx and vocal core tension when you merely control your breathing rate, you will certainly carry that tension into vocal production.
In later lessons you will learn the steps to engage the lower body and diaphragm to support the vocal core. But, those important supporting movements cannot properly engage unless the upper body is inflated and tension free.
To develop a steady, even flow of your breath, inhale and exhale to an equal count.
The air enters the nose and chest, causing the upper body to swell. The air leaves the chest and nose, causing the upper body to contract, or deflate.
No extra effort is required to draw the air in nor to push it outward. Simply observe its natural breathing cycle.
You will likely notice wiggles and twitches as old patterns of habit attempt to pull your vocal core out of alignment. Your old patterns are so comfortable, so habitual, that you won’t even detect the subtle movement.
This even breath flow allows you to perceive when old habits attempt to move in
Exercise #1 - Even flow of the inhale and exhale
Preparation - Home Position
Find your home position before beginning.
- Head rests in a level position and does not move with the breathing. There is a horizontal line between the ears.
- Eyes are open in soft focus. Eyebrows are relaxed.
- Lips are closed without tension or grimacing.
- Jaw falls from the face and creates space between the upper and lower teeth.
- Tongue rests on the floor of your mouth.
- Larynx is at rest. Breath is silent.
- Chest rises and falls without effort. Shoulders don’t move.
Exercise - Inhale 1,2,3,4,5 Exhale 1,2,3,4,5
- Inhale to an even count of five.
- Exhale to an even count of five.
- Air moves in a smooth, even stream with no wiggles or stops.
- All parts of the vocal core move passivley with the in and out flow of the breath.
- No extra effort to draw the air in our push it outward.
Exercise #2 - Inhale - Still - Exhale
This exercise adds one more important step, the stillness at the top of the breath.
With all points of the vocal core in their resting position, "Still" your breath for the same count as the inhale and exhale.
Watch for any small movements, twitches and wiggles that pull your open vocal core out of place. With this slow air movement, you can easily detect and then release these slight motions.
Remember: the larynx remains completely relaxed and passive.
Exercise - Inhale 1,2,3,4,5 Still 1,2,3,4,5 Exhale 1,2,3,4,5
- Inhale to an even count of five.
- Still to an even count of five.
- Exhale to an even count of five
- Air moves in a smooth, even stream with no wiggles or stops.
- Use no extra effort to draw the air in our push it outward.
If you find that you close your throat at the top of the breath on the still point, return to the 97 + 3 exercise until you are able to remain open and then return to this exercise.