Learn How to Sing in the Fastest and Easiest Way

It’s quite possible that you have heard many singers who have the strength or potency to maintain a note for a long time. It is even more amazing when the note they are singing is high.

This technique is called sustain and is one of the most common elements used during a good singing performance.

The beauty of sustaining a note that is perfectly in tune for several seconds is that the satisfaction it produces for the singer when reaching the climax of the song is priceless.

There is no real trick behind this apparent extraordinary execution while singing, we just have to use the appropriate respiratory control to do it and practice some sustain exercises.

Exercise for improving air control and for helping prolong the duration of a note

The following exercise is a very simple but effective breathing exercise:

Try inhaling completely into the diaphragm area while expanding your abdomen.

Start by exhaling a very little bit of air constantly, but do not open your mouth too much. Make the sound of the letters t and s together, like tsssss.

Try to make the air come out slowly, control your breathing so that all of the air does not come out too quickly.

Measure the amount of time this takes you and record your results so you will see your progress as you get better. It doesn’t matter if at the beginning you just last for 10 or 15 seconds. Little by little you will make yourself last longer.

If you feel fatigued or dizzy at first, take breaks but try to last as long as you can without feeling dizzy.

This exercise will help you control your breathing better which will then in turn help you to achieve a longer sustain duration.

Now practice singing a note that is easy for you that is within your vocal register and which isn’t at the very high end or the very low end of your vocal range so as not to exert yourself too much.

Start with the syllable maa, using the same breathing technique and at the same time measure the length of time that you maintain the note.

When you are able to last a bit longer, change the note and start to sing higher notes each time. When you reach the highest notes use the sounds aah or ooh.

Always guide yourself with some sort of musical instrument. If you don’t have one, use the virtual piano on this website.

When you feel that the air is starting to run out in a specific note, stop the sound completely and abruptly without trying to use your very last breath. The note should end clearly without being lower in intensity. The note should always come out clear without altering the tune or volume.

As you go to higher notes it will be more difficult to sustain the note for a longer period of time. Try to concentrate on the different resonators in your body while you are practicing breath control.

You should notice that when you are singing a note, your abdomen should start deflating little by little. This will indicate whether or not you are utilizing the correct breathing technique.

Another variation of this exercise is to sing the scale of do re mi fa so la ti, accompanied by an instrument. If you still have enough breath left after the final note, continue on to the next octave.

This exercise is very simple yet very effective for improving your sustain technique. Remember that you should always record the time and the note you are singing, this will help you see that you have progressed.