Breathing is an essential part of singing, but many singers find it confusing to master. In this post, I break down some of the most common myths about breathing for singing, such as the idea that it’s the same as everyday breathing or that belly breathing is best. Discover how developing adaptable, mindful breathing habits can help you find more ease, power, and control in your voice. Curious to learn more? Read the full post and find out how better breathing can transform your singing!
Choosing the right vocal coach is essential for your growth as a singer. In this blog, I discuss how my top 5 CliftonStrengths—Empathy, Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, and Positivity—shape my approach to online vocal coaching. Discover how these strengths help me connect with, inspire, and develop my students, creating a nurturing and effective learning environment.
Read more to see if I might be the perfect fit for your vocal journey.
As a certified Vocal Habilitation Professional, my passion lies in working with singers who don't quite fit the conventional mold. My journey in vocal coaching has always been intertwined with a deep interest in health, especially given the complex backgrounds of many singers I work with. Training in the Buteyko Breathing Method has been incredibly rewarding and transformative, both for my students and myself.
The Buteyko method has filled in many gaps in my understanding of breathing for singing, providing invaluable insights into common health issues such as asthma, sleep disorders, allergies, and anxiety. It offers concrete ways to evaluate breathing habits and track improvements, providing a sense of structure and clear goals for singers who thrive on measurable progress.
On a personal level, I’ve experienced significant improvements in my own vocal abilities, including better vocal fold closure, reduced performance anxiety, and a more grounded connection to my voice. This transformation has fueled my enthusiasm for sharing these benefits with my students.
I had no idea that I was working harder than everybody else basically all the time. I think my perception of easy was skewed by this part of my anatomy that was not as mobile as it should have been. After the release, I just felt my tongue float up to the roof of my mouth like it was meant to be there. It was really cool.
Before I show you the exercises, I want to be clear that I’m showing them for entertainment and curiosity purposes. Please don’t copy me—contact a professional who can assess your unique situation and assign you appropriate exercises.
One thing I’ve learned is that myofunctional therapy is not just about the tongue. Some exercises are for the lips, face, and jaw. For example, many tongue-tied people mouth breathe because their tongues rest on the bottom of the mouth rather than the roof, leading to a weak mouth seal. This means some exercises target strengthening the lip and face muscles. My jaw was also quite restricted from compensating for my tongue, but it has improved. Now, let’s get into the exercises.
My focus on this is primarily to solve long-standing issues and insecurities with my voice. Since my full myofunctional assessment with Breathe First Speech and Myo in Manchester, I've learned a lot. Emily, the specialist, did a thorough assessment of my tongue, jaw, and body, including posture and chewing/swallowing patterns. She noted that I use compensatory muscles for swallowing, which impacts my singing flexibility. I've also learned about my narrow palate and restricted jaw motion, which could affect my ability to have tongue tie release surgery.
"Ken sang that song. I never sang like that in my life. I don't know why or how that happened."
I've received a bit of skepticism. When I spoke to my dentist, he said he didn't... I think he was looking for an anterior tongue tie, which is fair because that is what, as a non-trained person, I (and I think most people) expect to see. He was uncertain and said he had heard the term "posterior tongue tie," but he didn't really believe that it was a thing. And that's okay; we're allowed to have our own belief systems.
I've had a consultation with one now and have been told ‘yes’ I have a tongue tie! My tongue is tied in the middle and posterior of it, so the front part is not tied, but the rest of it is basically. So it's really, really nice to be told, and that sounds a bit weird, but to be told for certain yes, you do have one. I now can make steps to get treatment.
If your tongue can't move as much as it's supposed to, it will cause some issues. As a singer, I'm curious about how my voice might change with treatment. I've always felt that singing is harder for me than it is for others. I can do bits, but when I have to join the bits together, it suddenly gets really hard. I'm joking that I'll be the next Whitney Houston after this!
I've also had random aches in my throat for about 15 years, which might be linked to the tongue tie. Additionally, I have an overbite and performance anxiety that might be related to this condition. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help others who might be going through the same thing.
Photo by Elias Castillo on Unsplash
The truth is, no matter how amazing your vocal coach is, the real work takes place when you apply the strategies we have taught you in your own time. Here are my top tips for Super Charging your Singing Practice.
Most of the vocalists I work with come to me at a point where they are really struggling with something. Many of them tell me of the months and even years of strain, cracking and vocal fatigue that they have fought against. Some have turned down work, others have taken extensive amounts of time off from singing and others have quit entirely. Most of them are worried and frustrated, and very few of them have ever sought help from a vocal coach
It is my personal mission to 'get' every singer that I work with. When someone feels listened to and understood they are more able to be creative, take risks and make valuable mistakes. This in turn helps me to understand what they really need from me, and the direction that they want their voice to go in.
I wrote this blog article for my pals at The Naked Vocalist a couple of years ago, and I still get asked about it now. With the New Year and lots of fresh starts on the horizon, it really feels like the right time to share it again
I love YouTube. I can often be found obsessing over Zoella’s current favourites, seeking business inspiration from GaryVee, weeping over a TED Talk and occasionally getting involved in the odd piano tutorial. YouTube is awesome. However when it comes to singing, I don’t believe its an effective way of learning, and this video that I filmed Live on Facebook last year explains why.
