BreathingRx For Singers – Vocal Breath Support Mastery Even though ideal vocal support is dependent on factors like posture, diaphragm training and the right body release, there are some very easy and simple things you can do with your own body that can help you immediately with your singing. This exercise is simple and effective and will continue to help you improve as you practice it over time. When a singer can relax the abdomen completely, the abdomen can be felt to release all the way around. Lowering the abdomen correctly frees up the diaphragm to more easily support the voice and add resonance to your sound. It also allows you to take more oxygen into your body and blood helping you focus more and calming the nervous system. Diaphragm Releasing Exercise:
- Stand straight but relaxed, (back relaxed, not stiff or arched.)
- Put the hands together across the low abdomen in front.
- Release the abdomen into the hands, don’t push out with the abdomen at all.
- Feel the hands support the abdomen in and up slightly.
- Open the mouth and LET yourself breathe passively for a few minutes.
Great! Now sing something slow and easy in the middle of your voice range pausing in between phrases in order to LET the air in, (do not force air in at all.) Keep the chest relaxed and shoulders down. Can you feel the abdomen moving during the inhale?Can you feel the abdomen release more deeply? Can you feel the release a bit lower with each breath?How does singing feel easier to you?You can use this to warm up the breath before practicing, voice lessons or performing. I hope this short exercise has been useful. I have helped many singers of all styles with these quick and powerful tips as well as many others including: solving jaw and tongue tension, and how to maximally train your diaphragm for super powering your vocal support in an easy and safe way. These may be found at my Facebook page by following the link below. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VocalBreathSupportforSinging/126736440676587?v=app_4949752878&ref=sgm
STEVEN FLAM BIO/CVWith over 33 years of experience teaching, Steven Flam has built a successful practice in New York City educating singers and voice teachers in breath support. Singers with asthma or chronic vocal or body tension also benefit from his programs. Mr. Flam began his studies in Breathing Coordination in 1977 with its inventor Carl Stough. Mr. Stough's work with singers, athletes and respiratory patients was renowned for its effectiveness in strengthening the diaphragm. After learning this new science and technique for maximum diaphragm development, Mr. Flam also enhanced his skills with studies in Anatomy and Physiology, Swedish Massage, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Mensendieck Body Alignment, Strain Counterstrain, Sports Injury Repair and many other alternative health modalities. Mr. Flam is also an accomplished lifetime bodyworker and has worked with wind instrumentalists, asthmatics, emphysematics and people with scoliosis.
BreathingRx For Singers has been presented throughout Europe and the United States, at The Sibelius Academy in Finland, at The Canadian Voice Care Symposium in Banff and at The Classical Singer Magazine Convention, among others.
With an Associates Degree from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Mr. Flam also studied Jazz dance with Luigi and Continuum Movement with Robin Becker. His own personal experience in theater and musicals prepared him to understand the needs and artistic temperament of the performer. Steven’s first role on stage was as ‘Trouble’ while still in the womb of his mother in a production of ‘Madama Butterfly’. Born of two opera singers he went on to study singing with both parents and has been involved with the theatrical world all his life.
Utilizing the new science and techniques for maximum diaphragm development in Breathing Coordination, Steven Flam began a long collaboration with Atarah Hazzan, (Metropolitan Opera Star in the 70's and 80's.) Together they have given Master Classes and developed a comprehensive system for mastering vocal breath support called “BreathingRx For Singers”. Its purpose is to bring complete clarity to maximum diaphragm development and mastering vocal breath support. Little known secrets to correct body balance and movement for singing are learned, in order to support the entire instrument optimally, naturally protecting the voice. Fine vocal support control and the freest voice are the result. This system is easily learned and designed to remove the physical obstacles to reaching one’s potential.
