How to Breathe Correctly to Protect Your Singing Voice

Co-authored by Amy Chapman, MA

Last Updated: October 16, 2024 Approved

Proper breathing is an important aspect of singing. Not only does it allow you to hold long and powerful notes, it can also protect your singing voice. Certain breathing techniques can take pressure off of your vocal cords, allowing your voice to maintain its sound. In order to breathe properly for singing, you should learn proper breathing techniques and work on your posture. You can also take steps to protect your vocal cords from damage and overuse.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Learning Breathing Techniques

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1
Breathe from your diaphragm. When you are singing, it is important that you take deep breaths and breathe from your diaphragm or abdomen. This will ensure that you are not keeping too much air in your throat and placing strain on your voice. In order to ensure that you are breathing with your diaphragm, try the following exercise.^{[1]
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- Stand up straight and place your hands around the sides of your waist (between your pelvic bone and lowest rib). Then, take a deep breath in and try to make your fingers expand.
- Alternatively, you can lie on your back on the ground and inhale. Try to make your stomach, not your chest rise when you inhale.
- This will help you learn what it feels like to breath from your diaphragm.
2
Practice combined breathing. When you are singing, you want to try to inhale through both your nose and mouth. If you only inhale through your nose, you will struggle to intake enough air. Similarly, if you only breathe through your mouth, you will put strain on your vocal cords by drying them out. This can actually impact the quality of the sound you produce.
- Practice breathing in through both your mouth and nose while you sing.
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3
Control your release. Another important aspect of singing and breathing is slowly exhaling. This will allow your tone to remain even while you sing. In order to practice controlled breathing, take a deep abdominal breath, then release your breath and make "a “ssss”" sound. Continue to exhale for approximately ten seconds.
- Continue to practice this technique and work on creating a consistent “ssss” sound throughout the entire exhalation.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Focusing on Your Posture While Singing

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Posture is extremely important and will make it easier for you to breathe properly while singing. This will take pressure off of your vocal cords. Your feet should be positioned shoulder width apart with your knees slightly bent. Never lock your knees in place. ^{[2]
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In order to maintain proper singing posture, you should raise your chest slightly and keep your abdomen flat. By engaging your core muscles you can help ensure that you breathe from your diaphragm. This will help to protect your vocal cords.^{[3]
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While you are singing your chin should be parallel to the floor. This will help to take pressure off of your vocal cords, making it easier to sing clearly.^{[4]
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When you are breathing for singing, your shoulders should be relaxed. This will help to ensure that you take deep abdominal breaths, rather than shallow breaths. Avoid raising your shoulders while you breathe in. Instead, keep your shoulders down and relaxed.^{[5]
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While singing, you do not want to strain or put pressure on your vocal cords by tensing the surrounding muscles. This can make it much more difficult to sing and will put additional strain on your voice.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Protecting Your Vocal Cords from Damage

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Warm up before singing. Before you begin singing you should warm up your vocal cords. This way you will not strain your voice. This will help ensure that your vocal cords and diaphragm are able to support and produce the sound that is required while singing.
- You could try humming or practicing tongue twisters before you start singing.
You can strain your singing voice through overuse. Avoid talking too much in extremely loud environments. Similarly, you should never sing when you have a cold. This could put unnecessary strain on your voice. Make sure you give your vocal cords time to rest and repair.
You can also protect your singing voice by drinking plenty of water. Make sure to drink between six and eight glasses of water daily. This will keep your vocal cords hydrated. A dry throat can strain and damage your singing voice.
Smoking cigarettes can cause irreversible damage to your lungs and vocal cords. The smoke dries out and irritates the vocal cords causing them to swell. If smoking continues over a long period of time, your voice may begin to sound hoarse and raspy.
Aerobic exercise, such as swimming, running, or cycling can help to expand your lungs and clear your airways. This will make it easier for you to sing and will improve the quality and control of your singing voice. For the best results, exercise for at least 30 minutes four to five times per week.^{[6]
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Expert Q&A

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Why do I run out of breath when I sing?

Amy Chapman, MA
Voice & Speech Coach
Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Amy Chapman, MA

Voice & Speech Coach

Expert Answer

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How can I strengthen my lungs for singing?

Amy Chapman, MA
Voice & Speech Coach
Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Amy Chapman, MA

Voice & Speech Coach

Expert Answer

If you want to improve your lung capacity, take a deep breath that fills up your chest, your lower back, and your intercostals. Then, as slowly as you can, release the breath with a hissing sound. You can even time yourself, so if you do it and you can hiss for 40 seconds, you might try it again and try to extend it to 45 seconds, then 50. That will help strengthen your lungs and your support system.

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Why do I sometimes feel like I'm going to pass out when I sing?

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You may be holding your breath for too long. Practice breathing to avoid feeling faint.

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When breathing out, pretend there is a lit candle right in front of you, and you need to avoid blowing it out.

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You can also strengthen your breathing through physical exercise.

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Practice singing in your stomach voice, head voice, and throat voice. Find out wich one is best for you.
Practice regularly and try exercises like running and jogging that help expand your lungs.

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