One of the most important aspects of singing is knowing how to control your breath. Normal breathing involves inhaling and exhaling shallowly, followed by a pause before repeating. Proper breathing exercises for singers help you control your abdominal muscles and diaphragm in order to use more lung capacity, increase control and project the most possible power when you sing.
Lying Down
This proper breathing exercise helps singers by expanding their inhalation capacity. Lie face up on the ground and inhale deeply, feeling your upper chest and abdominal muscles expand upward. Keep your abdominal muscles relaxed and your shoulders steady. Inhale deeply again, feeling your entire chest, abdomen, sides and back expand outward. In order to see the effects of this breathing, place a book on your abdomen and watch as it rises up as you inhale and lowers as you exhale.
Candle
This exercise helps you control your breath. Light a candle and place it on a table. Sit with the candle about eight inches away from your face. Inhale deeply, keeping your chest and shoulders still. Exhale toward the flame, blowing gently so that the flame bends slightly but does not flicker or blow out. Continue steadily exhaling so a stream of air bends the flame. Count how long you can bend the flame without it going out, aiming to increase the count over time.
Feather
This exercise has the same principle as the candle: It helps you control your exhalation so you have a smooth breath in order to sing high and low notes. Find a feather from a pillow or your yard. Try to blow the feather high in the air, using a long stream of breath to get it up. Don't let your chest collapse as you blow the feather. Chase the feather with your breath, keeping your breathing controlled.
Hands and Knees
Get on all fours on the floor and inhale slowly and deeply a few times. As you inhale, feel your abs fall toward the floor. As you exhale, you should feel your abs move up, your belly button pulling up toward your spine. Keep your chest steady and don't let it collapse. You back should expand with each inhalation.
Diaphragm
This exercise helps to engage and expand your diaphragm for more controlled singing. Inhale and exhale completely for two counts. Inhale and exhale again, this time for four counts. Now, hold your breath for four seconds. Exhale for four counts and inhale again for four counts. You should be able to feel the lower part of your lungs expanding while you keep your rib cage, upper chest and shoulders steady. Repeat three complete sets
