The Importance of Good Breathing

Breathing is the most useful activity of all for any materially existing being.  To avoid breathing is exceedingly unhealthy, and one not to be recommended under any circumstances.  How well are you breathing today?  Do you...

...greet your friends with that question?

Whether you are currently thinking about air quality, aria quality, airline quality or health inequality, the science of breathing is a good starting point, at least after expanding your thoracic diaphragm and sniffing your surroundings.  If you are currently experiencing breathing difficulties, it may be wise to avoid reading this further until you have sought advice from a qualified medical professional.

Even the plants in my garden know that it is wise to breathe quite frequently, and I am sure you are wiser than a grapevine, dear reader, unless, of course, you have a tendency to consume too many fermented juices from the Vitis genus.  If you wish to be known as a great singer, it may be wise to avoid anything likely to suffocate your genius or quell your vitality, even if you know nothing at all about etymology, physiology or Latin prose or poetry.

Have you ever tried to sing any sort of plainchant?  If not, here is something to try even if you do not know the words.  If you have never tried singing Byzantine chant, then try this.  If you wish to sing music in a tastefully melismatic style, then do ensure you look after your lungs.  This especially applies if you wish to sing the music of Mr Bellini, Mr Handel, 1990s pop, or, most importantly, the compositions of Mr Mozart.

What are your opinions regarding ornamentation?  What are your opinions regarding bel canto?  And do you have something interesting to say about opera seria?

Have you ever compared your singing to that of Maria Callas or Jenny Lind?  And what of your stage presence?  Can you control the breathing of an audience?

A breath of a fresh aria?

Do you require hype or even hyperventilation to enhance your popularity and even your bank balance?  Good breathing is useful in any occupation in the material world, even if you are unlikely to have the vocal assets of Joan Sutherland.  Are you aware of your vocal range?  Do you have a suitably clear projection of your vocal intentions, without using a microphone, megaphone or publicist?

How is your diction?  What are your beliefs regarding phonetics?  Why is it necessary to provide other people with breathing space?  What are the consequences of not doing so?

Well, I do hope to hear from you soon, if that would be appropriately euphonious.