Take a Deep Breath: How Breathing Exercises Can Help You Hold The Long Notes.

Greetings, dear readers, and welcome to another enlightening and entertaining exploration into the world of singing!

Today, we're diving deep (pun intended) into the wonderful world of breathing exercises that can transform you into the next star of Farnborough Voices. Yes, you read that right! With a little practice, you'll be holding notes longer than your last New Year’s resolution. So, take a deep breath (we’ll be doing a lot of that), and let’s get started.

The Basics: Breathe In, Breathe Out, Repeat

Before we jump into the advanced stuff, let’s cover the basics. You see, breathing isn't just something you do to avoid turning blue; it's also the foundation of great singing. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I’ve been breathing my whole life, I’ve got this down!” But trust me, there's a difference between the casual, everyday breath and the deep, powerful breaths needed to hold those impressively long notes.

The Farnborough Voices Secret: Diaphragmatic Breathing

Also known as belly breathing, this technique involves breathing deeply into your diaphragm, not just your chest. Here’s how to master it:

1. Lie down on your back – preferably somewhere comfortable and free of distractions, like your bed or a beach in the Maldives (we can dream, right?).

2. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly – this isn't a time to check for a six-pack (unless you’re into that), but rather to feel where your breath is going.

3. Breathe in through your nose – and imagine you’re inflating a balloon in your stomach. The hand on your belly should rise, while the hand on your chest remains relatively still.

4. Exhale through your mouth – pretend you’re blowing out candles on a birthday cake that you’re not ready to share with anyone.
   

Practice Makes Perfect (and is Hilarious)

Now that you’ve got the hang of belly breathing, it’s time to put it to practice. Start with a simple exercise: breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. Repeat this until you can do it in your sleep. Literally. It’s great for calming pre-concert jitters, or just impressing your friends with your newfound zen.

But why stop there? Let’s add some humor to our practice:

1. The Sigh of Relief: Take a deep breath in and let out a long, dramatic sigh. Imagine you’ve just finished the longest choir rehearsal ever and the conductor finally said, “Good job, everyone!” Feel free to throw in a little eye roll for effect.

2. The Opera Star: Take a deep breath and on your exhale, belt out an exaggerated, operatic “La!” Pretend you’re on stage at the Royal Opera House. Extra points if your neighbors start applauding (or complaining).

3. The Balloon Blow: Grab a balloon and see how long you can keep it afloat with one breath. It’s like a party game, except you’re secretly becoming a breathing master. Plus, it’s a great way to entertain any children (or childish adults) around you.

The Suspenseful Movie Scene:

Take a deep breath in and imagine you're in the most suspenseful part of a movie—think of the moment just before the hero defuses the bomb or when the detective is about to uncover the murderer. Or even when Jane returned to EastEnders. ("Hello Cindy - I'm Jane." 😱 ) Hold your breath as long as you can, building the suspense. Then, release it slowly and dramatically as if the tension has finally broken. Bonus points if you let out an exaggerated "Phew!" at the end, like you've just saved the day!

The Straw Breather:

Grab a (paper!)

drinking straw and take a deep breath through it, as if you’re sipping the world’s most delicious milkshake. Then, exhale slowly through the straw, making a soft whistling sound. Pretend you're trying to make a tune, or challenge yourself to keep the sound steady. It’s a great way to control your breath and might even inspire an impromptu milkshake craving. Just don’t forget to breathe in between sips!

Joining the Farnborough Choir Elite

With these exercises, you’ll be well on your way to holding notes longer than the last cliffhanger on your favorite TV show. And who knows? You might just find yourself joining the ranks of our wonderful Farnborough Choir, dazzling audiences with your impressive breath control and vocal prowess.

So, next time you’re at choir practice, take a deep breath, relax, and remember: you’ve got this! And if all else fails, just imagine the entire choir in their underwear. Or not. That might be more distracting than helpful.

Until next time, keep breathing, keep singing, and keep making beautiful music with Farnborough Farnborough Voices!

Disclaimer: No choir members were harmed in the making of these breathing exercises. Always breathe responsibly.