 Jon
Beaupré is a voice and performance consultant for radio
and television performers. Under the name Broadcast Voice, he
provides private training and workshops for reporters, anchors,
sports and weather casters, and others working in electronic
and broadcast media. He teaches in the Broadcast Communications
program at California State University at Los Angeles, and conducts
workshops and seminars with the Associated Press Radio and Television
Association. He has been a fixture on the convention circuit,
teaching workshops at a wide range of specialty journalism and
broadcast conventions and stations on both coasts of the U.S. |
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“Breathe
Deep. Deep - de - deep!"
July 31st, 2001
If there was one single recommendation voice coaches would
give to performers of any kind, it would be on the value of
diaphragmatic breathing.
An article that appeared last August in the Los Angeles Times
confirms what voice coaches, physiologists, and singers have
known for years. When you pull air into your lungs by expanding
your tummy - NOT RAISING YOUR CHEST - you get more air, you
remain more relaxed, your body is much more able to process
that air, and the overall sense of well being can at times
be startling.
Test yourself: put your left hand over your belly button and
your right hand on your chest, like you were pledging alliegence
to the flag. As your breathe normally, your right hand should
not move at all, and your left hand should move a good 3-5
inches with each breath.
If your body gets confused (your tummy should go out and get
bigger when you inhale, and go in and get smaller when you
exhale), try this: exhale every last air molecule you can,
so that there is no air left in your body. Every last drop!.
Put your hands back on your belly button and over your heart
as described above. When you inhale, exaggerate the movement
of your tummy.
This is the movement you should be encouraging your body to
adopt. The benefits of diaphragmatic breathing are far too
numerous to describe here, but suffice it to say, this is
no longer a matter of fanatic voice therapist and singing
coaches. It’s backed up by solid science. We’ll talk more
about proper breathing in future installments, but just remember:
breathe from your tummy, not from your chest!
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