Myths about breathing for singing
Debunking Common Myths About Breathing for Singing
Ever feel like breathing techniques for singing are overcomplicated, or simply don’t work for you?
You’re not alone. Many singers struggle to understand effective breathing, and for a long time, I was the same. As a Vocal Coach, I spent many years being dismissive of the importance of breathing technique, preferring to focus on things like acoustics, articulation and tension release, as many singers found them easier to grasp. As time goes on and I learn more and more, I’ve started to realise that none of these other things truly ‘stick’ if a singer’s breathing is dysfunctional and that my previously dismissive attitude was partly caused by the fact that I was also pretty confused. The truth is, breathing is powerful AND complex. In this blog I hope to start a conversation that might help us understand things a little bit better.
Here are some common myths about breathing for singing, and my current take on the truth behind them:
Myth 1: Breathing for Singing is the Same as Breathing for Everyday Life
While singing is a natural extension of how we breathe in daily life, the two aren’t exactly the same. In everyday life, our breathing is constantly adapting to what we’re doing—whether it’s running, speaking, or sleeping. Whether we are stressed or feeling unwell, and depending on whats going on with our hormones at a given point in time. These fluctuations are normal, and often occur without us noticing, however the further we drift away from our ‘baseline’, the less effective our breathing technique will be, and the more likely that it won’t be an ideal approach to apply to your singing. Another difference is that singing involves voiced breathing, which uses active exhales controlled by the vocal folds (and other stuff,) unlike passive breathing when we’re at rest.
Myth 2: The Vocal Folds Manage the Air, So You Don’t Have To
The vocal folds certainly play a role in breath management for singing, but they don’t do it alone.. If the breath below them isn’t being well managed by muscles in the torso, the vocal folds will need to work much harder. Singers in this category might notice that their voices get tired, tense, sound breathy or even nasal when they don’t intend it to. There are lots of reasons why this could happen and I can’t list them all, but common conditions such as asthma, allergies and anxiety often play a role. Empowering singers to better understand their own breathing habits, can result in many benefits for the voice and an easier time for those amazing vocal folds.
Myth 3: Belly Breathing is Best
We often hear about "belly breathing" being the best way to breathe for singing, but I don’t find this term very helpful. When we breathe optimally, we will see and feel our lower abdomen move (hence calling it belly breathing) and yes, we would prefer not to see too much movement or collapsing in the chest. However, in reality breathing is a 360-degree experience. It involves not just the abdomen, but also the ribs, back, pelvic floor, and sternum (to name a few.) If we focus too much on one part of this system, we can limit the flexibility and responsiveness of our breathing muscles, create tension patterns and even exacerbate digestive issues such as acid reflux.
Myth 4: A Deep Breath is Noisy
I’ll cut to the chase- the truth is, a deep inhale is silent and slow. Noisy inhales, especially through an open mouth are indicative of a shallow breath, and this kind of breathing is most appropriate when we are doing intense physical activity and our body is under stress. Deep breaths are the opposite. Disclaimer- I’m very aware that the ideal ‘deep’ inhale isn’t always possible when we’re singing, and different types of singing require different kinds of breathing strategies. However, if you learn how to breathe deeply, slowly and silently in the rest of your life, you will develop more effective breathing habits that will stand you in good stead when you open your mouth to sing..
Myth 5: Good Breathing Involves Pushing the Tummy Out and Pulling it In
We’ve discussed the movement of the abdominal muscles when we breathe, and if you’ve noticed your body doing the same when you sing, you’re probably on the right track. However, if you feel like you’re having to force and push your muscles to make this happen, you might not be breathing in a functional way . Optimal breathing habits create a gentle but powerful pressure in the torso, allowing our breathing muscles to respond to the task at hand. Forcing the tummy in and out is unintuitive and will create a lot of work for other parts of your body to compensate for. I like to compare the activity we feel in our body when breathing, to the sensation of braking whilst driving a car. If your breathing feels like an ‘emergency stop,’ you are working too hard! Instead try and slow down your breathing muscles so the ‘braking’ sensation is slow and gradual.
Conclusion
Breathing for singing is far from a one-size-fits-all technique. It’s a dynamic process that involves the entire body, and how we breathe is influenced by various factors, from physical activity to emotions and health conditions. Understanding these common myths and recognising that breathing isn’t just about taking a big belly breath or relying on the vocal folds alone can be transformative for singers. The key is to develop flexible, adaptable breathing habits that support the wide range of vocal demands you face, from quiet, controlled phrases to powerful, sustained notes.
By honing your awareness and technique, you’ll find that breathing becomes less of a mystery and more of a reliable tool to enhance your singing. Remember, optimal breathing isn’t about perfection—it’s about practice, exploration, and finding what works best for you. If you’d like to delve deeper into how your breathing impacts your voice, join my Buteyko Breathing for Singers course (coming in 2025) and discover the power of mindful breath control for a more effortless, expressive performance.
