(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 03, 2012 ) San Diego, CA -- For months now, the Billboard chart has looked pretty similar each week, with Adele perched at the #1 spot with her hit album 21. Adele has maintained that spot for 18 weeks now, needing only 3 more weeks to pass previous records made by the Bodyguard soundtrack and Elvis PresleyÂ’s Blue Hawaii.
Most singers have heard about the importance of proper breathing. Many even propose that yoga - and the deep breathing that is involved in the practice - can help singers improve their vocal technique. TakeLessons (http://takelessons.com), America's premier music lessons provider, took the opportunity to share a few guidelines that singers need to be aware of when practicing yoga, as originally published on SingerUniverse.com and written by speech pathologist Joanna Cazden:
The following is an excerpt from the TakeLessons blog:
"First, the singing breath does not use the balanced, equal-in-and-out rhythm common to most yoga teaching. Voice production requires a very swift inhalation followed by a long, slow exhalation. You do this automatically when you talk, but it takes practice to quickly inhale enough to sing and then exhale very gradually. Try occasional cycles of breathing in fast and out slow during your asanas, with a relaxed throat, to reinforce this asymmetrical rhythm.
Second, some yoga teachers train a particular sequence of inhalation, such as drawing air into the belly first, then the waist, then the upper chest. These techniques are not harmful, but when singing, you don’t have time to inhale in stages—the whole breath system must open simultaneously. Again, just being aware of the difference can help you switch gears from yoga practice to vocal rehearsal.
Third, the vocal cords are vulnerable to dryness and fatigue when vigorous forms of audible breathing, sometimes called ujaya, are focused in the throat. The louder the breath sounds and the longer such practice, the greater the risk of vocal cord irritation. If you do this type of pranayama, place the friction higher, near the soft palate, and allow at least half an hour of rest before vocalizing."
By sharing the guidelines with blog readers, TakeLessons hopes to continue engaging current students and help with any musical goals they may have. Readers are invited to share their thoughts by commenting on the TakeLessons blog, where they can also read how to support children in music studies, and comments are also welcomed on Facebook (http://facebook.com/takelessons).
About TakeLessons
Headquartered in San Diego, CA, TakeLessons is America's full-service music and voice lessons provider. With private lessons taught by TakeLessons Certified™ instructors in cities nationwide, students of all ages can start living their dreams through music. Founded in 2006 to help people discover their creativity and pursue their passions, TakeLessons also offers turnkey music programs for schools and community centers.
(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 03, 2012 ) San Diego, CA -- For months now, the Billboard chart has looked pretty similar each week, with Adele perched at the #1 spot with her hit album 21. Adele has maintained that spot for 18 weeks now, needing only 3 more weeks to pass previous records made by the Bodyguard soundtrack and Elvis PresleyÂ’s Blue Hawaii.
