Ask Dr. LJ: Singing.

[saxikath]

So, I'm doing this solo with a bell piece that we're playing in late February. And wow, am I out of practice. The piece is slow, with looooong breath lines. (At least long for me.) Breath line was never my strongest suit, even when I was in better vocal condition, and now -- ouch.

So the question is, for you singers out there: what exercises do you recommend for working on breath line?

In related news, there is a distinct shortage of me-accessible musical theater this spring. Foo. Princess Ida is still an option, though I'm not all that wild about Blanche and can't imagine they'd actually cast me as Psyche. But I want to sing somewhere! (Brigadoon isn't happening in Belmont after all.)

(And yes, I went swimming again yesterday. And am going again tonight. I'm a quarter of the way across the Hellespont at its widest. Rawr!)

Comments

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

Those are lip trills. mister_nick, being a trumpet player as well as a singer, is really good with lip trills and might be able to recommend some related exercises.

[saxikath]

Gah, I suck at lip trills. Always have. Probably related to aforementioned lack of breath line. :)

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

I had the hardest time with lip trills until I realized that you have to be totally relaxed. If I think about how ridiculous I look, I start to laugh and it all goes to hell. :)