You were born to sing -- or, at least, you were born knowing how to breathe like a singer. Infants naturally breathe through their diaphragms, but as you get older, it's easy get into the habit of taking shallower breaths, breathing just into the top of your lungs. The best vocal breathing exercises help you develop the discipline of breathing with your diaphragm and control your exhalation to produce a clear, natural sound.
Basic Breathing
Lying flat on your back, place your hands on your belly so your middle finger lightly touch just below the navel. Breathe deeply. If you are using your diaphragm, your fingers should separate as your belly expands, and your chest shouldn't move at all. Once you've got the knack of breathing this deeply, challenge yourself to exhale more slowly, since you'll need this ability to sing well. Breathe in for a count of five, hold the air in your diaphragm, exhale for a count of five, and repeat.
Hands and Knees
Get on your hands and knees so that your torso is parallel to the floor. As you breathe in deeply, imagine your stomach is dropping all the way to the floor. Allow your lower back to expand as you breathe in, but make sure your chest and shoulders don't move. Exhale slowly as you imagine your abdomen rising from the floor and returning to its original position.
Candle
Work on controlling the rate and intensity of your exhalations. Light a candle and, after filling your diaphragm, blow lightly against the flame, causing it to bend but not extinguish. Keep the flame bent for a count of five. When you're able to do this, increase the count to six. Strive to sustain the flame's bent position as long as possible.
Farinelli Technique
To develop the muscles that surround and support the diaphragm, try the Farinelli Technique. Inhale quickly and keep your abdominal muscles expanded as you gently and slowly release the breath. The trick is to keep your belly as distended as it was upon inhalation even as you exhale. When you reach the end of the breath, allow your abdominal muscles to relax.
