STOP Breathing This Way! (its making you sound flat)

Summary

This video script delves into the art of vocal dynamics and breath control in singing. It critiques the overuse of compression in modern music production, which masks the natural ebb and flow of a singer's breath. The transcript contrasts performances by AD and Ariana Grande, highlighting the importance of dynamic breath support for expressive singing. It also introduces a simple exercise to help singers understand and practice the right breathing techniques for better vocal control and tone.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The importance of proper breathing in singing is often masked by heavy production and compression in modern music, which can mislead students about the dynamics of a singer's voice.
• 👂 Listening to live and less produced performances can reveal more about a singer's vocal dynamics and breathing techniques, providing a better learning opportunity.
• 📈 The perception of a singer's breath control can be skewed by the consistency of their voice in heavily produced music, which does not reflect the actual dynamic breathing required.
• 🌟 Both AD and Ariana Grande are excellent at using their breath support, but live performances, especially of AD, can be more instructive for learning about breath control.
• 🎶 Dynamics in singing involve varying breath pressure and not maintaining a constant level of breath support throughout a song.
• 💪 Engaging the abs in the same way throughout a song can lead to fatigue; instead, the engagement should be dynamic and responsive.
• 🎵 Breathing support and vocal placement are interconnected, and understanding both is crucial for effective singing.
• 👃👄 Inhaling air can be done through the nose, mouth, or both, but the focus should be on the exhale and providing resistance with the lips.
• 💨 Exhaling with dynamic resistance helps to understand how to control airflow for singing, with the engagement of the breath muscles intensifying as airflow increases.
• 🎼 Practicing with sibilant sounds like 's' or 'f' can help train the breath control needed for singing, by providing back pressure and dynamic airflow.
• 🎤 Singers like Michael Jackson demonstrate an understanding of breath control even at a young age, using dynamics to convey emotion and power in their singing.
• 🔗 Joining a free course can provide further guidance on understanding and practicing breath support and vocal dynamics.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the production of the singer's performance mentioned in the script?

The main issue is that the production uses heavy compression and mixing, which obscures the natural dynamics of the singer's voice, including the variations in volume, airflow, and breathing support.

How does the script suggest we should listen to a singer's performance to understand their breathing technique?

The script suggests listening to a performance from about 10 years earlier or a live performance that is not heavily produced or mixed, to hear more dynamics and understand how the singer uses their breath.

What is the difference between the breathing technique used by the singer in the older performance versus the newer one?

In the older performance, the singer exhibits more vocal dynamics, being loud, intense, vibrant, and agile, as well as soft and calming in certain sections. This contrasts with the newer performance, which sounds more consistent and less dynamic due to heavy production.

Why is it important for singers to understand and practice dynamic breathing?

Dynamic breathing is important because it allows singers to vary their breath pressure and support in response to the music, creating a more expressive and engaging performance.

What is the relationship between breathing support and vocal placement in singing?

Breathing support and vocal placement are closely related; understanding and practicing dynamic breathing helps in achieving proper vocal placement and vice versa.

What does the script suggest as a method to train proper breathing for singing?

The script suggests an exercise where one breathes in naturally, holds the breath without locking it, and then exhales with dynamic resistance through the lips, focusing on the engagement of the downward poop muscle level.

How does the script describe the engagement of the downward poop muscle during the breathing exercise?

The script describes the engagement as a dynamic process where the intensity of the engagement increases with the intensity of the airflow, simulating the interaction between breath pressure and vocal sound.

What is the purpose of the exercise involving the 's' and 'f' sounds in the script?

The purpose of the exercise is to help singers understand how to create dynamic back pressure with their vocal tract while maintaining a consistent airflow, which is crucial for achieving a great vocal tone.

How does the script differentiate between tension and intensity in the context of singing?

The script differentiates by stating that intensity refers to the dynamic engagement of the muscles during singing, while tension implies a static and potentially harmful muscular strain.

What is the significance of the script's mention of Michael Jackson's performance at age 14?

The mention of Michael Jackson's performance is to illustrate that even at a young age, he understood the concept of dynamic breathing and how to use his breath to create vocal dynamics, which is a testament to the importance of this technique.

How can singers apply the concepts discussed in the script to their own practice?

Singers can apply these concepts by practicing the breathing exercises provided, focusing on dynamic breath support, and applying these techniques to simple lines from their favorite songs to develop a better understanding of their own vocal dynamics.