BREATHING FOR SINGING (Lesson 8): Reset Your Breath When Nervous

[@dsousa56]

I have been doing this for years and it is amazing how much it helps. The way I was taught to do it was like so: - Take a long, slow, deep breath through the nose. - Hold the breath as long as you can. Feel the tension to exhale increasing. - When the tension is too much, release the breath, exhaling slowly through the mouth. Feel the release of the tension as it leaves your body and being replaced by a sense of relaxation and well being. I add a visualization of falling backwards into a pool of refreshing water, and maybe a sigh or aahh of tranquility and contentment. - Repeat several times. There have been times when I was very stressed or anxious, and I did it for as long as 10 or 15 minutes. It worked! There have been occasions in which I was all stressed out, running late and didn't have time to do this. I paid the price!

[@dabneyrossjonessoprano506]

Hi Karen! I had to do this last Saturday. I had to sing a song I've never sung before and had two weeks to learn. It was in front of an audience of people who've never heard me sing before so I was very nervous my heart beat so fast and as I sat there I just had to do exactly what you said and it really does work. Long story short. the song went really well , the show was a lot of fun. As we were wrapping up the show somebody in the audience attacked another Patron. I was so glad that I had reset my breath because of the situation that occurred during the curtain call. I was of sound mind and present enough to help people. If I had been still in an anxious state both my performance and my quick actions would not have been there for me. The breath is everything.

[@singwisevocals]

I'm so glad that this technique helped and that your performance went well. I'm curious to know about what happened in the audience, though. That sounds crazy!

[@dabneyrossjonessoprano506]

singwisevocals during intermission a homeless man came in with a knife from the refreshment table. He just started stabbing a patron. The patron was grazed, the guy was caught but it was terrifying.

[@singwisevocals]

I can imagine so! Well, I'm glad it didn't end in tragedy and that everyone is alright.

[@alejandraferreyra3681]

Hi. This is exactly what my voice teacher tells me all the time. Just take your time to breathe and connect with yourself. Thank you for this video.

[@MadieHendrixSoprano]

Great video, as always!!! :) I am studying classical voice at the collegiate level, and your videos go right along with what I have been learning in my lessons! I struggle with nerves a lot when I perform in my recital class... my last performance, I focused more on calming my breathing backstage, but when I stepped onstage and took my first breath to sing, the "panicked" feeling came right back. 😞 However, I was able to calm down quicker, and did feel more confident! Thanks so much for the video! Can't wait for more! :)

[@angalmeida29]

Thanks so much Karyn

[@singwisevocals]

You're most welcome!

[@MichaelVuPham]

Hey! New subscriber here, was trying to review some formant learning bc I felt like my tuning was very off for my higher ranges and came across your channel! Love the work. Binging your videos from here to your latest and possibly more later on :)

[@singwisevocals]

Welcome! Please let me know if you have questions or any suggestions for video topics.