Question:
I am 14 years old, and I sing Broadway, Opera, etc. I am having trouble breathing as I sing, like I lose my breath really fast. I have asthma but I don’t know if that is what’s causing it. Someone help me out? Thanks.
Answer:
Firstly, I hope that you are working with a physician regarding your asthma to try to eliminate the cause as well as treat the symptoms.
The ability to sing long phrases is more about pacing the breath than having a lot of it. Developing better breathing technique and support strength should help you tremendously with the asthma as well.
First of all, a condition like asthma can cause high breathing and we sometimes crowd the top of the lungs in an attempt to take in what we feel is enough air. It is important to release all resistance and stress to the breath as well as tension in the body, especially in the lower abdomen.
Think of inhaling a small stream of air that slowly and easily fills you right to the bottom of your lungs. Exhale on an “S” an even finer, slower stream of air while keeping your breastbone lifted and your ribs expanded. Again, feel that there is no resistance, forcing or gripping. Teach yourself that breathing is easy and that you have all the time in the world to complete each part of the cycle.
Sustain vowel chants on easy pitches in the speaking range of your voice. Gradually move higher. As these become easy, do small musical phrases in the lower range. Gradually extend the length and range of the phrases, but only as far as it is easy.
Gradually build strength and freedom in the breath along with precise phonation and complete resonance. Once you eliminate all of the stress and resistance, your condition should have less impact.