Date sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 14:18:29 EST
Subject: Re: Exercises for Breathy Singers
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

i have found the cause or causes of breathiness often come from
misconceptions of how breath and the voice work. alot of my teenage students
speak of 'getting the sound out' or 'projecting'. some think that the harder
you blow, the louder or higher you'll sing. changing these concepts of
'blowing on the sound' is almost more important than 'what to do next'. as
there are so many sub-proprioceptive muscles invloved with singing, these
muscles will often act according to intent. exercises to correct breathiness
will have an uphill battle if the singer still intends to do things that add
up to breathiness.
show them what the vocal cords look like singing low and high notes,
breathing and holding the breath. make high and low notes with a blown up
baloon. have them make trumpet noices with their mouths with loose lips and
tight lips.
dispel the myth of 'projection' by showing them how sound travels in a
spherical direction (drop a book between the two of you and ask them if they
thought it was louder for them or you, or something like that).
don't be afraid to ask your students if something you said makes them
act in these misconceived ways.