How To Avoid Voice Damage

Renee Grant-Williams

Voice damage is serious and can be permanent. Alleviate vocal strain by developing the habit of good breathing - PASSIVE BREATHING. Learn to use the natural forces of physics to create a vacuum in your body. Let the air fall in — instead of using force to pull it in.

TO INHALE DO THIS:
Expand your lower abdominals
to make a place for the air
Drop your chest
Drop your jaw
open your throat
Just let the air fall in
Let it fall in SILENTLY.

DO NOT:
Use your throat like a valve to control
the air
Raise your shoulders or chest
Fill your chest with air
PULL the air in from the room
Gasp when you breath.

TO EXHALE DO THIS:
Contract your lower abdominals to push
the air out
Relax and open your throat
Keep upper body relaxed
Exhale SILENTLY.

DO NOT:
Push against your chest
Tense your jaw
Close your throat
Tighten your upper body
Exhale with a gasp.

Easy breathing is the basis of singing with ease. If you practice this and make it part of your life you’ll be taking a giant step toward protecting your voice.