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Breathing Basics for Singing

Posted by Merrily James on May 15, 2018 12:19:34 PM

Breath support is the most important element of proper singing technique. Proper breathing will help you maintain a clear singing voice and develop a greater range. It will also give you greater stamina for long shows and recording sessions. It is helpful to practice breath technique on its own before applying it to your singing. Your vocal chords will thank you!

breathe correctly 1. Good Posture

Place with your feet below your shoulders with knees slightly bent. Stand with your shoulders supported and rib cage expanded. Make sure you are comfortable and not forcing your ribs out.

2. Inhale, expanding around your waistline

Keep your ribs and shoulders relatively still and breath into your abdominal region.

3. Exhale without collapsing

The key when exhaling is to keep your rib cage expanded and breathing from your abdominals. Try placing both thumbs at the bottom of your rib cage and exhaling without letting your thumbs move inward. Keep your abdominal region supported as you push the air out (see picture below).

Breathing Excercises

1. Stand in front of a full length mirror.

2. Take in a good breath (without "overfilling") and breathe out on a sustained S sound as in "hiss." Hold until you are completely out of air.

3. Take in another supported breathe and exhale with the sound "mah" on a single note. Hold until you are completely out of air.

4. Keep you abdominal muscles firm and make sure to keep your ribs expanded and chest supported even when you are at the end of your air supply.

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How to Develop Proper Singing Technique

Posted by Merrily James on May 9, 2018 12:22:00 PM

Show Some Love To Your Cords

We depend on our vocal cords all day and between phone-calls, shows, sports games, parties and everything in between they can take a beating. There are measures we can take to make sure our vocal cords are healthy and performing at their best ability.

1. Be Mindful in Noisy Environments

Every time we yell or push our speaking voice, our vocal cords bang together. This irritation creates swelling and mucus on the cords which causes a hoarse, unclear sound. Avoid holding prolonged conversations in noisy environments. If you have to talk in a noisy environment, stand as close as you can to the person you're speaking to and avoid raising your voice over the sound. Avoid yelling at sports events or concerts, clapping your hands always works!

2. Use Proper Breathing Technique

Support your singing with good breathing technique. Proper breathing technique will take pressure off your vocal cords and give you more stamina. Click here for more information on proper breathing technique.

3. Warm-up every day

Just as you would stretch before and after running, it is important to always warm-up and warm-down for singing. Vocalizing with also improve your range and vocal resonance. Think of your vocal cords as a muscle...a weight lifter wouldn't expect to lift 400 lbs without working up to it day by day. Don't expect to sing difficult notes without training your vocal cords everyday.

4. Sleep

Getting proper sleep will keep you healthy Your vocal vords get a chance to heal from irritation when you sleep. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night.

5. Drink Water

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will keep you healthy and hydrate your vocal cords. Remember that nothing you eat or drink directly touches your vocal cords when you swallow. The water goes into your system and in turn hydrates your vocal cords. For every caffeinated beverage you drink you should compensate with 5 glasses of water.

6. Watch Your Diet

Everyone is affected differently by foods. Right before you sing it is best to avoid foods high in dairy as they can clog your throat. Foods that are high in spice, citrus, and oils can cause acid reflux. Acid reflux causes mucus production and can cause inflammation on the vocal cords. One of the best ways to avoid acid reflux is to avoid eating 3 hours before you go to bed. For more information on acid reflux click HERE.

7. Don't Smoke!!!

Smoking will destroy your voice, simply not worth it!

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Vocal Lessons with Allyson Lynch!

Posted by Merrily James on Jul 13, 2017 12:48:06 AM

Jammin' With You is proud to now be offering voice lessons, piano lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, and flute lessons in the towns of Norwell, Cohasset, Weymouth, and Hingham in South Shore. JWY! has an all star list of new South Shore teachers, and it's time to introduce them. This week we get to know vocal teacher Allyson Lynch!

JWY!: How did you get started in music?

AL: I’ve been singing my whole life. My mom jokes that I learned to sing before I learned to talk. Growing up I was involved in music class and drama club, and got hardcore into it in high school. My South Shore

highschool had an amazing music program and that's where I decided I wanted to go to music school. I went to college at the Hartt School of Music, where I studied classical voice.

JWY!: What is your favorite show that you've been a part of?

AL: One of my favorite shows was when I played Jo March in Little Women. It's a powerful part, and was very meaningful to me at the point in my life when I played the part. I talk more about this role in my article How Theater Changed My Life.

JWY!: Can you talk more about being a "crossover singer"?

AL: I started out as musical theater singing, using very belting singing. As my voice matured and I sang more in chorus, I realized how much easier it was on my voice to sing classically. In my senior year of high school, I changed mind to study classical voice. Because I am still a young singer, the majority of professional work has been musical theater. As I get older I will take on more classical singing roles.

Having experience with musical theater and classical singing is very helpful in relating to my students. It has helped me connect with students, and find path to using excellent classical technique technique and applying it to popular styles.

JWY!: How do you approach vocal lessons with beginners?

AL: Many of my students are young singers under the age of 13. When I have a new singer, I ask a lot of questions, to figure out where they are and what their goals are. We study the difference between everyday breathing and low full breathing, body and vocal warm-ups, basic ear training, and solfege. As students advance, I introduce more complex warm-ups and difficult repertoire.

My lesson approach sets students up to be good auditioners. Many of my high school students are involved in multiple auditions throughout the year, and I want them be as successful as they can in every aspect of auditioning.

JWY!: What made you want to become a teacher?

AL: I was a performance major in college, I got engaged senior year of college, and my very first job was a teaching job 4-7 yr olds. I love working with singers individually on their voices and helping them get where the want to be and learns songs they love. Teaching has been the most amazing experience to connect students one on on and help them to reach their goals.

Sign-Up for lessons with Allyson Lynch here!

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Jammin' With You! - JWY! Music Blog

Breathing Basics for Singing

How to Develop Proper Singing Technique

Vocal Lessons with Allyson Lynch!

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