How do I increase my breath to sing a long note?

Question

How do I increase my breath to sing a long note?

Sing a long note in different tones? How to sing a long note.

Breath control

Answer 1

Hi there,

The process for increasing your breath support for singing a long note or different tones when singing a long note is quite simple.

1. Make sure that you are standing up tall with your feet shoulder width apart, shoulders directly over your hips and your neck and head are relaxed and loose. You will also need to be sure that your chest and shoulders are relaxed as well. Maintaining your alignment is essential from proper breathing technique.
2. Then inhale steadily until you feel that your lungs have fully expanded and you can no longer take in any more air. Note: there shouldn't be any additional tension or tightening of the abdominal muscles or shoulders while you inhale. Added tension will cause the ribcage to tighten which won't allow the lungs to fully expand and will not allow the air to flow freely from your mouth. You should feel as if you are a balloon that has just been inflated and you are about to release the air slowly from your mouth. Hold the air in place by keeping your mouth closed for just a moment.
3. When you exhale, you should allow the air to flow slowly from your lips on a "hissing" sound. There will already be a natural buoyancy or resistance within your mid section, so you don't need to push your air out or tighten your muscles. As the air is being released, make sure that maintain your alignment and keep your chest lifted as not to cause the air to rush out or "force" the air out faster than necessary.
4. Count to yourself to see how long you can exhale without feeling any tightening of your abdominal muscles or tightening of your ribcage. Continue this process until you are able to do it consistently and easily.

For further instruction with proper singing technique feel free to visit my profile and request a lesson. I'd be happy to help you along your musical journey!

Answer 2

I'm a voice teacher, and I can give you some guidelines to look for when breathing to hold out a long note:

1. Body alignment - Your body must be aligned in a neutral standing position in order for the rib cage to already be expanded before breathing air into the lungs. A lifted and open rib cage is essential for the lungs to be able to expand to full capacity. This makes the diaphragm ascend downward and push the contents of the middle of the abdomen forward. The abdominal muscles should be relaxed on the inhale in order for this to happen.
2. Body strength (abdominal muscles and rib cage) - Contracting the abdominal muscles while holding out a note (on the exhale) can create a chain reaction that is favorable to maintaining air pressure to hold out a note. The contracted abdominal muscles can push on the middle of the abdomen, which in turn can push up on the diaphragm, putting pressure on the bottom of the lungs. The rib cage must be strong in order to oppose the natural elastic coil of being pulled inward while sustaining a sound.
3. Trained vocal folds ("cords") - The vocal folds act as a valve that controls the airflow from the lungs. Making sure the vocal folds are not too far apart or too pressed together will allow for air to escape the lungs not too fast or too slow.
4. Body coordination - The singer must practice when to make these adjustments in their body, as many of them are unnatural to the average person.

Please note that singing under the supervision of a teacher is the best way for proper adjustments to be made in vocal technique.

Answer 3

Hi,

I can answer all of your questions with one response. I love singing and I can give you the insight on what I was taught at my performing arts school.

1.) How do I increase my breath to sing a long note, tones and have better breath support/control?

You can increase achieve all this by simply breathing from your diaphragm. Think deep and dark and imagine reaching the bottom of your stomach when inhaling air. This may not work the first time around because singers have to build strength in their diaphragms over time. I suggest doing some breathing exercises along with your vocal warm ups (going up and down the scale) while breathing from the bottom of your diaphragm.

side note: You’ll know that you’re breathing correctly from your diaphragm when your chest DOES NOT rise. Only your stomach should expand forward.

practice exercises

1.) put a piece of paper against the wall and hold it with your finger, take in a deep breath using your diaphragm (not your chest) let your finger off the paper, and see how long you can keep the paper sticking on the wall by only blowing on it.

2.) lay on the floor, place hand on your stomach, close your eyes, imagine deep down, and slowly inhale from your diaphragm, keep practicing for a minute at a time. (DISCLAIMER: YOU MAY GET DIZZY) but if you do feel that, that means you’re doing it right.

3.) sing with your jaw dropped ( especially for classical/ choral music)

* It took me about three to five months to achieve diaphragm breathing so don’t feel impatient, it gets better with time, age, and practice. But, I GUARANTEE you that, it’ll help your breath control so much and you will surely be able to hold long notes and tones! *

You got this! :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

Here are some tips to help with increasing your breath to sing a longer note.

1. Exhale slowly when singing the note.
2. Always remember to breathe in quickly and steadily.
3. Releasing more air at the end of the note rather than the beginning can help hold a longer note.