Spending nights half sitting up in my trusty recliner in order to breath, while wheezing, with sounds in my bronchi as if I were gargling Lake Erie at its worst, deep coughs, which make my abdominal muscles feel as though someone were punching me, and gasping from having no time to get a really good inhalation because so much of my air and energy is being expended in an outward trajectory, I have realized all over again the importance of good breathing in singing.
Singing?
Who said anything about singing?
It proved to me, as I have taught for years, that air is our energy, both for singing and just plain old fashioned living.Without the ability to move air in and out of our bodies efficiently, we are dead, either vocally or in reality.
Guidelines for lady singers:
1. Give up the corseted strapless gowns when you are performing. I don't mean sing in the nude, though you would probably sell more tickets; just get a flowing gown and leave the high heels in your suitcase.
The corseted dresses pinch your upper body and waistline making it impossible to take a deep breath. Remember the rule for a deep breath is 'The belly button needs to move out when you inhale!'
The high heels throw your butt out in the rear and put your body into a tense situation. Most men don't wear high heels (Maybe some very short tenors) or corsets, although Beniamino Gigli apparently wore one, so for the most part this doesn't apply to men. I'll have another post for helpful hints for the male variety of singers coming up.
You can see the weird things I think about while gasping for air.
Thanks to my PA, I am on a good
General health and healthy singing are all a part of the same way of life.
Do it!
(I am pictured in my Chicago Studio)
