Singers Must Learn Correct Posture

By Thomas.L. Smythe

What is excellent posture and why is it important for a singer? First of all your voice comes from you and your body, which becomes the instrument. When you sing you have to be aware of your breathing, your posture, and how you present yourself to your audience by maintaining some eye contact.

Posture is basic to the development of a singer's skills. It is vital to have a relaxed upper body with the feet planted firmly on the ground. Make sure the knees are not stiff, but relaxed with one foot slightly forward. A singer should always be thinking about whether the posture is correct with muscles relaxed, and spine lengthened while standing.

Voice instructors habitually tell their students to hold their spine upright so that it feels lengthened. They should inhale deeply and exhale slowly, so that their muscles relax as they do this. While breathing, the chin should be held under so that there is more room for airflow.

With bad posture, you can get back pain and muscle strain which will extend from the upper body to the back, which could result in back pain. As a result, the vocal cords will become stressed so your voice will not be completely full or at it's best when you perform. Vocal cords are sensitive, so remember that relaxation is the key to a fuller, more expressive voice.

The spine is key to good posture and helps the diaphragm work while you sing. It works hand in hand with your posture and can help you project better if you hold yourself the right way. Remember that the audience notices how a person presents themselves to them, and if they have confidence and eye contact.

Stand securely with the feet on the ground. Balance should be satisfactory for the singer with no locking of the knees while standing. With one foot somewhat in front of the other and the shoulders relaxed, the voice should project into the audience.

When someone is standing with an upright spine with shoulders held back, they look as if they are in charge and very confident. If the singer locks the knees it could create some problems with muscle tension and even breath control. It might help a beginning singer to look into the mirror occasionally to check on the correct stance when preparing to sing.

Realize that when you sing, your voice is an expression of your body. Your body helps your voice if it is relaxed with no muscular tension and uninterrupted air flow while you breathe. So keep in mind that proper breathing and the way you hold your shoulders and spine operate in conjunction to help you become a good singer.

About the Author:

If you would like to find out more about posture when you sing go to our website where we review various online courses where you can learn how to teach yourself how to sing.