how to conserve my air in the diaphragm

gusL

any tips on how to conserve my air? i find when i try to hold air in, i actually push more out. i know im doing something wrong
thanks

HuduVudu

You need to conserve air by using less when you sing. This is the reason for building diaphragmatic support.
Check out this video on how to build proper support.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv3T-xA28fE

gusL

i know that. The trouble i'm having is i don't know how to use less of it, if that makes sense. Ive been doing all the support exercises for awhile now and i still can't control my air.

Diego

Well. The first thing to ask is. How are you breathing in? Are you overfilling you lungs with air?
Are you taking a correct posture? When you sing, are you standing or sitting?

Can you post a video of you singing something? Maybe that can help us determine a solution.

gusL

i went over the old videos again in the course and i may have found the problems but for information sake:
Breathing to my stomach (abdomen/diaphragm )
i possibly was overfilling my lungs.(or something in that sense). just to be clear: Should i take a full breath into my diaphragm? or maybe less?
posture:back up straight, not tilting back or head/face in any direction
also i am sitting, i understand that it should consequently cancel up to 30% of my support but i feel vulnerable standing. I grow tired and cumbersome more quickly.

I'd love to post a recording or something but i don't happen to have my microphone on me, as i will be able to once i get home (on a trip)

HuduVudu

At @1:55 in the previous video I linked, Ken explains EXACTLY how you need to breathe for proper support. You need to learn how to breathe just like that. There is really no way around it. This type of breathing is what allows you to use less air when you sing. Doing this technique should be a part of your singing exercises, and you should pay careful attention to whether or not you are doing this correctly when you are practicing.

Also lip trills are a great way for you to learn to manage air flow. Around the 11:54 mark in the video below Ken talks about how to do these. They are really great for getting your breath under control. You want to do them with as little air as possible and learning how to do this will help improve your overall breath control.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2jRxageblc


But far and away the best way for managing air is through your breathing and diaphragmatic support. It isn't easy to learn and it takes time but if you get it your issues with air control will be gone.

Diego

Make sure that when you breath in your rib cage expands. I usually fill my lungs up to half their capacity. I usually record my songs sitting down lol so I can relate to you. Observe your shoulders and your chest. Are they rising too much? If they are... Then you are breathing in incorrectly. The video @HuduVudu sent is a perfect example.