Athletic Singing Quote

"An athlete learns how to hold her breath, but that doesn't work in singing. You have to learn to relax."

-Cathy Rigby

I'm not sure if I agree with the first half of this quote, but I definitely agree with the second half. Here's why:

If an athlete learns to hold their breath, as Cathy suggests, then how can they compete properly? It is vitally important to breath when exercising. If you don't, then after a certain point, you will pass out. The only place in sports where holding your breath will work, at least for a little, is anything involving the water, IE: swimming. Even still, you are holding your breath for a very short time, coming up for air so that you can compete at the highest level.

With singing, you most certainly have to plan for breaths in order to perform at your best. Before singing a long, powerful note, you are taking a deep breath. Before rapping a long string of words in a row, you are taking a deep breath. Even if you aren't singing a long, powerful note or saying a string of words quickly in a row, planning for a breath is the name of the game so you don't run out of air anywhere in the song. Yes, there has to be a flow with what you are singing, but that flow can and should include planned breaths.

All in all, taking breaths at the right moments, whether playing a sport or singing, can make or break a performance. Let's put ourselves in a position to succeed!