How to make sounds with air

Many people envy celebrities for their singing skills and think that the singers’ voices are elegant and pleasant to the ear. However, the same song sounds different when it reaches their own throats. Why is this? In fact, every professional singer has put a lot of effort into practicing using breath to make sounds. Only when the breath is sufficient can the singing be stable and full-bodied. This article introduces the practice steps of using breath to make sounds. If you want to learn, let’s take a look.

Stage One: Practice breathing before making any sound. Research data shows that under normal circumstances, people breathe 16-19 times per minute, and each breathing process takes about 3 or 4 seconds. When singing, sometimes a breath is extended to more than ten seconds, or even longer, and the inhalation time is short and the exhalation time is long. It is necessary to master the key points of keeping the air in the lungs and exhaling slowly, so you must first do the following:

(1) “Deep inhalation and slow exhalation, controlled breath extension exercise”.

The key is: first learn to "store air", first compress the air to expel the waste gas, then use the gap between the nose and the tip of the tongue to inhale gently and naturally, as if "smelling a flower", inhale fully, then sink the air into the dantian, slowly relax the chest and ribs, exhale slowly like a trickle of water, exhale evenly, the longer the better, repeat 4-6 times.

(2) “Deep Breath and Slow Exhalation Number Exercise”

We call the first step "inhale, lift, and push". The breath of "inhale and lift" goes inward, and the breath of "push" goes outward and downward. During "push", do breath extension exercises. We recommend three exercises: A. Counting exercises: "Inhale and lift" is the same as before. While "pushing", count the numbers "12345678910" quickly and quietly in one breath, and count repeatedly until this breath is exhausted. See how many times you can count repeatedly. B. "Counting dates" exercise: "Inhale and lift" is the same as before. While "pushing", say quietly: "Go out of the east gate and cross the bridge. There is a date tree under the bridge. Use a bamboo pole to hit the dates. There are more green ones than red ones (inhale enough air). One date, two dates, three dates, four dates, five dates... Count until this breath is exhausted. See how many dates you can count. Repeat 4-6 times. C. “Counting Gourds” exercise: “Inhale and lift” same as before. While pushing, whisper: "Golden gourd, silver gourd, I can’t count 24 gourds in one breath (inhale fully) one gourd, two gourds, three gourds…" Repeat until you run out of breath, and repeat 4-6 times. Count numbers, count dates, and count gourds to control your breath. The more you practice, the easier it will be to control it. Don't let the breath escape. You will feel abdominal pain at the beginning, but after practicing for a period of time, you will feel great progress.

(3) “Deep Breathing, Slow Exhalation, Long Tone Exercise”

After breathing exercises, the sound begins to gradually join in. This exercise is still mainly about practicing Qi, supplemented by vocalization. While pushing, choose a mid-low pitch, and gently make an "ah" sound for boys ("big voice" making "ah" is to send outward and is in line with Qi training), and for girls make an "yi" sound ("small voice" "yi" is to send outward). Hold it in one breath, and the sound outlet will be pushed forward in a cylindrical wave-like manner. Practice it repeatedly as long as you can.

(4) “Breathing and staccato practice”

This is an exercise that involves half voice and half breath. Put your hands on your waist or protect your abdomen, hold a breath from your dantian and let it rush out from your forehead and throat while making a sound. The sound should be mainly medium and low-pitched, and elastic. The abdomen and diaphragm should pop out at the same time using their expansion and contraction force. We introduce three exercises: A. Hold it in one breath and make quick "crackling, crackling" sounds (repeatedly) with your mouth. When the breath is almost finished, make a staccato "bang" sound. Repeat 4-6 times. B. Take a deep breath and stretch your body, then make the sound “Ha Gong Ha) slowly at first and then quickly. (Repeat) (Speed ​​up) Ha, Ha, Ha…” Practice the explosive staccato sound. It is often used in singing to make “Ha Ha…” laugh, “Ahaha” and “Ahem”. C. Take a deep breath and stretch your body, make the sound "Hey-hou, hey-hou, slowly at first and then faster" (repeat and gradually speed up), "Hey-hou, hey-hou..." Speed ​​up until you can no longer breathe, and practice repeatedly.

After this stage of practice, the breath, which is the basis of voice and the leader of voice, has basically been full, and the "place that holds the breath" has basically become excited and active, while the voice has been in the state of brewing and protection. On this basis, you can start preparing for voice practice.

Phase 2:

Breath, sound, and word exercises