top of page

Breathing Demystified PT3: How to Breathe Better When You Sing-


How to Breathe Better for Singing – A Simple Exercise for Choir Singers


If you’re looking to feel more confident in your singing voice, one of the most helpful things you can do is get comfortable with your breathing. But here’s the good news—it doesn’t need to be complicated.


Breathing and singing should feel natural, supportive, and easy, not forced or stressful. In this post, I’ll walk you through a simple breathing exercise you can try at home, explain why over-breathing might be sabotaging your sound, and share some honest thoughts on the flexibility required when singing in real-world choirs.


Try This Simple Breathing Exercise

Let’s use something familiar and fun: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”


Here’s how to try it:

  1. Take a natural breath—no pushing or sucking in air.

  2. Sing the full line: "Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream..."Try to do it all on one breath.

  3. As you sing, let your tummy draw back naturally. Don’t try to control or tense your abdominal muscles.

  4. When the line ends, release and allow the next breath in. Let your breath find you, rather than forcing it.

  5. Repeat with a second line or verse: "And if you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream!" Again, focus on using the air you have and letting the breath come in freely after the line finishes.

  6. This little exercise will help you connect with the natural rhythm of breath and release—without the tension that can creep in when we start “trying too hard.”


💡 Top Tip: Practice inhaling only what you need, and make sure to exhale fully before your next breath. Over time, this helps eliminate unnecessary breathiness, improves your tone, and makes singing feel smoother.


Too Much Air = Too Much Trouble

Here’s a common misconception: “If I want to sing powerfully, I need to take in as much air as possible.”


The truth? Taking in too much air can actually make things worse. Overfilling your lungs can:


  • Make your sound breathy, thin, or unstable

  • Leave you feeling tight, tense, or out of breath

  • Dry out your throat

  • Cause vocal fatigue, especially in longer rehearsals


Instead of “power breathing,” aim to breathe economically and responsively—just enough for the phrase you’re about to sing. That way, you stay in control, your tone stays clean, and your body feels more relaxed.


A Note on Breathing Flexibility

You might have heard this advice before: “Never take a short, sharp breath.”

But let’s be real—in popular and contemporary choral singing, you don’t always get time for a deep, perfect breath. Sometimes, there’s only a beat or two between phrases.


So yes, quick breaths happen, and that’s okay! The important part is how you take them:


✅ Keep the shoulders relaxed

✅ Avoid sucking in air or tensing your chest

✅ Let the breath drop in naturally, even if it’s short


Breathing and singing posture -You might have heard this advice before: “Never take a short, sharp breath.” But let’s be real—in popular and contemporary choral singing, you don’t always get time for a deep, perfect breath. Sometimes, there’s only a beat or two between phrases. So yes, quick breaths happen, and that’s okay! The important part is how you take them: ✅ Keep the shoulders relaxed ✅ Avoid sucking in air or tensing your chest ✅ Let the breath drop in naturally, even if it’s short



Sing With Us at the love2sing choir ealing and Learn More


Are you living in West London and looking for an amazing choir? At Love2sing, we help adult singers build vocal confidence, develop solid technique, and enjoy every moment of making music together. Our focus is on freedom, fun, and real progress—not perfection.


Whether you’re brushing up your skills or getting back into singing after a break, we’d love to welcome you this autumn!


🎶 What to Expect:

  • Engaging weekly rehearsals

  • Practical tools for improving breath, tone, and pitch

  • Laughter, support, and a friendly community of like-minded singers

  • A winter concert to celebrate what we’ve learned


At Love2sing, I always teach flexibility first. You need breathing habits that work in the moment and help you stay musical—not ones that make you freeze up trying to follow rigid rules.


Join Our Autumn Term!

🗓 Tuesdays, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM📍 St Barnabas Church Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing📆 Term runs 9 September – 2 December🎟 Trial session: just £10 – book yours here


Let this term be the one where you reconnect with your voice, learn something new, and enjoy the magic of singing with others.


⚠️ Just a quick note: I’m not a classically trained singer, and this post reflects my experience with contemporary and popular choir styles (the kind we love at The Love2sing Ealing Choir!).


bottom of page