how to sustain a note?

Question

Im pretty sure I got the basics of singing ie breathing n stuff. But I realised that I can't quite sustain a note long. I realised that my note is like at the right point then wen I try to hold it every now and then it goes down a note or smthing or sorta "breaks up" in the middle of a long note... what shld I do? What exercises are there for me to improve on this?

Answer 1

Here is a great exercises I use:

breath in on 4 beats - breath out on 4 beats
breath in on 5 beats - breath out on 5 beats
breath in on 6 beats - breath out on 6 beats
......and so forth up to 12 beats or more.

The idea is to have a consistent flow throughout each beat. Don't just hold your breath until the end of the count. Use your diaphragm to control this and don't let your throat get tense.

This is the same principle used when you sing - to have a consistent flow of air throughout the note or phrase.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need to work on your breath control. You should practice your breath control every time you practice singing. Remember to always breath from your diaphragm, not your chest. Here's a couple of exercises to try.
1. Lay on your back on the floor. Place a heavy book on your stomach. Take deep breaths in and out making sure the book rises and falls. If the book is not rising and falling you are breathing incorrectly. (helps for breath placement)
2. Set a metronome to 60 (or get a clock with a second hand). Take a four beat breath (four second) through your nose, and let it out slowly (through your mouth) seeing how long you can last. Next, take a three beat breath in and out the same way. Work your way down to a one beat breath, and releasing it slowly each time.

Answer 3

it sounds like you're somewhat inexperienced. Long tones are something you should work on for a few minutes every time you warm up. As for sustaining them, imagine how you would breathe through a straw. You air would be constricted, letting little flow through your vocal cords at any one time. You need to use this breathing method to maximize your sustainability in singing as well. Constrict the amount of air passing from your vocal cords, make sure you can feel the vibrations in the "mask" muscles (around your mouth and nose), and if you need to, squeeze the muscles in your butt for a couple extra seconds of pitch. It may sound weird, but it works!

Answer 4

You need work on breath control. Strengthen your diaphragmatic muscles.

Here's some info:
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/breath_control.html