Being less breathy

Question:

When singing, how do you remove the breathy sound?

Answer:

It is always best if you can work with a voice coach. There are also wonderful explanations and exercises in Richard Miller’s THE STRUCTURE OF SINGING. You can also look for other books and audio programs but you have to be mindful of people’s credentials when you do so.

Improving the ratio of breath to voice will involve a combination of breath management and phonation. When the tone is breathy it is usually because you are starting the flow of air before the vocal cords start vibrating. There will be an “H” before the tone.

If the cords do not come together energetically enough this can also cause a breathy tone. If you grunt a little you will feel the vocal folds press together when you make the sound. THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO SING! However, it will teach you how to energize the voice. What you want is to start the sound exactly between the “H” and the grunt so that the sound is clear but not pressured.

If you touch your lower ribs and grunt again you will feel the lower ribs expand. Again, DO NOT GRUNT when you sing. However, DO KEEP YOUR RIBS OPEN THE WHOLE TIME.

Also keep your breastbone elevated and your posture energized and balanced.