The Importance of Breath Control in Bollywood Singing

Breath Control

Breathing plays a crucial role in vocals, as it supports the voice and helps singers achieve proper tone, pitch, and control. Proper breath control allows singers to sustain notes, manage phrasing, and avoid tension in the throat. Exercises are often used to help singers improve their ability to take in air quickly and release it slowly without straining.

Various aspects of breathing are outlined below:

1) Diaphragmatic Breathing: Diaphragm is the one that powers your voice. Breathe using diaphragm rather than the chest or throat. Diaphragmatic breathing engages the lower lungs, allowing for a deeper, more controlled breath.

2) Posture: Proper posture is key to effective breathing. Singers are encouraged to stand or sit tall with relaxed shoulders to allow maximum lung expansion.

3) Breathing for Phrasing: In vocal performance, singers learn to manage breath to match musical phrases. This involves taking strategic breaths during musical rests or at the ends of phrases.

4) Support: Support refers to maintaining consistent breath pressure to produce a steady, strong vocal tone. Engage the core muscles to support voice, helping with projection and vocal stability.

5) Relaxation: Tension in the body, particularly in the neck and throat, can hinder proper breathing and vocal production. Vocal exercises often focus on releasing tension to encourage free, natural breathing.

Exercises

• Keep your shoulders and arms relaxed, and rib cage elevated but not rigid.

• Breathing should be from the diaphragm rather than the chest. The expansion should happen in the abdomen.

• You may breathe through your nose, mouth or use a combination.

• Begin the exercises by exhaling all the air in the lungs.

• A count can be for a second. An inhale or exhale can be for 4 to 8 counts. Start with 4 counts and then try 8 counts.

Exercise 1: Inhale and exhale

• Inhale for 4 counts through the nose and exhale for 4 counts through the mouth with pursed lips.

• Repeat this exercise four times.

Exercise 2: Inhale and exhale with hiss

• Inhale for 4 counts through the mouth and exhale for 4 counts with a hiss (sss).

• Repeat this exercise four times.

🎤 Online Singing Classes

Want to learn from real instructors? Join our Online Bollywood Singing Classes at BGMA and take your voice to the next level — from your home, at your pace.

Chat on WhatsApp