nfiniti2001 wrote: > > I am an R & B singer with a live band. I have just begun doing pro > gigs and I am finding it hard to sing as the night goes on due to > fatigue. > I have been blowing balloons to build up the accessory chest muscles > and I am hydating myself well (2-3 liters daily).
Hydrating and steam is good. But I don't think that blowing balloons is very helpful for a singer. What's important about the breath in singing is HOW it's managed, not now HARD you blow. In fact, It think that forcing breath out (as one does when blowing up a ballon) is the worst thing for the voice. I've found the good way to think breathing for singing is letting out your breath slowly, through pursed lips, counting to a high number slowly, like 20. Then allow the breath to rush back in to your lungs, all by itself. Or think of blowing air at a candle flame so softly and slowly that the flame flickers but doesn't blow out. Or letting breath flow out as if you were fogging up eyeglasses before cleaning them with a cloth.
> I also find that the longer I warm up I tend to lose some of my low > notes. What causes this?
I suspect you're misusing your voice during your warm up.
The best thing is to work a voice teacher - you can be taught to use your voice in a healthy manner, consistent with your R&B style of singing you're doing. Even if you can only find a teacher who works with you on classical-type music, you can apply what you learn about breath management to your other singing.
-- Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA "Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile" mailto:peggyh@i...
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