Improve Your Singing | Breathing exercises!

Let's improve your singing! In this class you will learn practical exercises to develop your BREATHING and SUPPORT technique. By the end of this class you will understand your body’s natural coordination and know how to use it in your advantage for singing. I will provide several strategies with each exercise and guide you in a methodic and simple way through everything you need to know to take your voice to the next level. 

With this lesson we will set the basis of our body’s mechanisms regarding singing. Breathing is a fundamental part of singing, so I knew that before a class about actual singing, it was essential to start with breathing exercises and get in touch with the “support” of the voice (where the voice should be coming from). It is natural to have the urge to start singing right away, but later on you will thank yourself for having set the basis first. Do not build the roof of a house before you have set the foundation!

This lesson is divided into two main groups of exercises: the breathing exercises and the support exercises. Singers need to develop their breathing capacity in order to be able to sustain high quality vocal production during long frases (from one breath to the next). It is easier said than done, but if you follow a regular practice of the breathing exercises I’m sharing, you’ll notice a substancial progress in a few weeks. I’ll also give you a few tips to track your progress. The support exercises will help you to engage with your body, promoting a heathy vocal production, free of constriction or blockages. There are many different ways of producing a singing tone, but we should always rely on the natural instincts of our body for a healthier voice production. This includes using our whole body to optimise our singing in its beauty of tone, but also to be also to be able to sing for longer periods of time and embrace, without fear, more challenging music.

To have a complete overview of the lesson content as a cheat sheet and additional short tips, download the Breathing and Support Exercises sheet (PDF) on the Project Section under the video.

I've found teaching to be one of my greatest passions and I'm very exited to launch these series of singing classes. I will be sharing with you the basics of a healthy singing technique that allows anyone to improve their voice in a short time and achieve real and visible progress! I believe singing is a very natural action. We only need to tap into our body's instincts and allow our natural voice to develop. It's an exiting journey and I feel super privileged to help you through yours!

This is my first class with Skillshare. I will be posting more classes on different topics that will help you to keep developing your voice and your singing technique. My next class will be an essential guide for beginners, where we will actually sing and find the natural mechanics of your voice! To stay tuned, make sure you follow my Skillshare profile to be notified when I post a new class or check regularly Skillshare's new singing lessons at skillshare.com/browse/singing

I also work regularly as freelance with several Opera Houses. If you would like to know more about me or check some of my other projects, feel free to visit my website at beatrizdesousa.com or follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/beatrizdesousa_soprano

I’m here to help you improve your singing and encourage you to take the most out of these singing classes! So if you have any doubt or question about the exercises we explore in the lessons, make sure to leave a comment on the Discussion section. If you’d like to have an individual piece of advice for your specific needs and development, make sure you take part in this lesson’s PROJECT. 

• Welcome!
• Intro. Why start with Breathing?
• Deep Coordinated Breath
• Ribcage Expansion
• Long Sustained Out-Breath
• Support!
• Consonants Explosion
• Fire Breathing
• From Panting to Singing
• Your Own Voice
• Project! Individual Advice
• Stay Tuned for the Next Step!