Q&A for How to Hold a Note

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What should I do to sing well?

Annabeth Novitzki
Music Teacher
Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.

Annabeth Novitzki

Music Teacher

Expert Answer

The most essential ways to improve your singing voice are learning the right techniques, practicing consistently, and assessing your progress. Getting an excellent voice teacher is a great starting point, and you can also learn some great techniques from this article: https://www.wikihow.com/Sing

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Question

How can I sing longer without breathing?

Annabeth Novitzki
Music Teacher
Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.

Annabeth Novitzki

Music Teacher

Expert Answer

It is impossible to sing without breathing, but you can certainly increase your breath capacity and breath control. One of my favorite exercises is to take a deep breath and exhale as fast as I can through a small coffee straw, using a timer to see how long it takes. When I want to increase my breath control on a certain song, I sing the whole song on lip trill over and over.

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Question

What is it called when you hold a note?

Annabeth Novitzki
Music Teacher
Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.

Annabeth Novitzki

Music Teacher

Expert Answer

I like this question, because even though the most commonly used term is "hold the note," most singers find those words really unhelpful. "Holding" implies no movement, but to sustain a sung note needs tons of breath support, awareness of maintaining pitch, and a sense of forward movement.

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How can I sing when I'm afraid?

Community Answer

From experience, I would say that the only way to get over your stage fright is to just start without overthinking it. If you really enjoy singing, the joy you feel while doing what you love will distract you from your fear of performing in front of an audience. If you're having physical anxiety symptoms that distract you from singing, try closing your eyes and taking a few slow, deep breaths.

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Question

How do I hold a note high without my voice cracking, sound scratchy or airy?

Community Answer

You can take a really deep, big, and low breath right before, that should help with the scratchiness.

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When I sing, how do I avoid running out of breath?

Community Answer

This can take some practice. Take unusually large breaths and calm your heartbeat. After doing so, focus on a point in the room, and try not to move too much when holding your note.

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Question

Does it help to breathe and hold a book on my belly?

Community Answer

You do not need to hold the book on your stomach. Simply lie down and place the book on your stomach. It will help you to learn to breathe from your stomach. This exercise will allow you to regulate your breathing and will allow you to trust your lower back to support your voice.

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What do you need to do if your singing is really bad and you want to make it good?

Community Answer

You need to invest in a voice coach and practice daily.

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How do I relearn or get rid of any bad habits that I have formed by singing with a wrong technique?

Community Answer

Practice the right way as much as possible.

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How can I hit high notes without my voice sounding airy?

Community Answer

Make sure you are singing from your diaphragm and not from your throat/head.

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Question

Can you clarify how to sing from your diaphragm? I don't know much about this.

Ddmic

Community Answer

Singing from your diaphragm requires you to use your core instead of your head voice, it's almost like when you sing low, except your range just needs to extend more.

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Question

How do I breathe with my nose and sing at the same time?

Community Answer

You cannot breath while letting out a note. Singing is only done when exhaling, so you have to just hold the note as long as possible. With practice, the note will be able to be held longer.

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Question

How do I sing on key?

Community Answer

Download a piano app and practice the notes with the piano so that you can make sure you are on the right key.

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Question

When I am singing, it is really easy to hear me take breaths. What can I do to stop this?

Community Answer

Take small breaths instead of larger ones. It'll help with your breathing technique & it'll cover the sound.

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Question

How do I train myself to sing a whistle note?

Community Answer

Use your tongue while you blow. You also want to make sure that when you blow, it's light and graceful, not hard and fast.

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