Breathing for Singing: Why Shallow Breathing Is Holding You Back

Did you know that breathing is the number one reason many singers struggle?
It makes sense if you think about it—singing is breathing. You inhale air, and you exhale singing. The way you breathe can either transform your singing for the better or hold you back.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• The most common breathing mistake singers make

• Why it damages your voice and limits your performance

• A practical exercise to start breathing in a way that supports your singing

The Biggest Breathing Mistake Singers Make

The number one mistake? Breathing high and shallow.

You’ve probably seen (or done) this before: shoulders rising, chest lifting, and noisy gasps for air.

This type of breathing is a problem for two major reasons:

1. It’s shallow. You think you’re taking in a lot of air, but in reality, you’re only inhaling a tiny amount. Effort doesn’t equal volume.

2. It signals danger. High, shallow breaths are the same pattern your body uses when it’s stressed or in “fight or flight” mode. Singing this way tricks your body into tension.

Many singers, even advanced ones, carry this habit onto the stage. And while you can get away with it for a while—maybe even sound powerful—it’s damaging to your voice in the long run.

Why Shallow Breathing Hurts Your Singing

When you breathe shallowly, here’s what happens:

• Too much effort, too little air. You’re using a lot of muscles unnecessarily, leaving less coordination available for singing itself.

• Unstable air pressure. Singing works by exhaling air, with your vocal folds resisting that airflow. Too much pressure makes them slam together; too little, and they don’t close properly. Either way, the sound suffers.

• Bad onsets. Starting notes feels like a “punch”—hard and abrupt—leading to tension, pitch issues, and even long-term vocal damage like nodules.

• Short phrases. With so little air, you can’t sustain long notes or phrases.

• Pitch struggles. Both high and low notes become harder to control when you don’t have enough, or the right quality, of air.

In short: shallow breathing sets you up to fail before you even sing a note.

How to Breathe Effectively for Singing

The solution isn’t complicated—it’s about learning to breathe more fully, with less effort.

But here’s the key: when practicing, slow it down. If you only train breathing at real song speed (like with karaoke tracks), you’ll default back to old habits.

Here’s a simple exercise to get started:

Step 1: Observe Your Habit

Pick a phrase you struggle with. Sing it once, paying attention to your inhale. Did your shoulders rise? Did you make noise? Did you breathe quickly? Just notice.

Step 2: Reset Your Body

• Sit or stand tall.

• Place your hands gently on your ribcage (not the upper chest).

• Press your feet into the floor for grounding.

• Add a gentle tone in your lower back (not arching, just active).

Step 3: Inhale with Ease

• Keep your mouth open.

• Let the air fall in silently—no pulling, no noise.

• Feel your ribs expand outward as the air comes in.

Step 4: Apply to Singing

Now, sing the phrase again after preparing with this new inhale. Many singers immediately notice their tone feels freer, their onset smoother, and their notes easier to sustain.

Breathing, the Body, and the Voice

One important thing to understand: everything is connected.

• The way you use your body changes your breathing.

• The way you breathe changes your voice.

• And you can influence both through awareness and practice.

For example, if you’re tense or slouched, your breathing (and singing) will suffer. But if you organize your body intentionally—grounded feet, released shoulders, toned core—you set your breath and your voice up for success.

Final Thoughts

Shallow breathing is one of the most common and damaging habits for singers. By slowing down and retraining your inhale, you’ll create a foundation for healthy, powerful singing that lasts a lifetime.

✨ If you want to go deeper, I offer a 10-week one-on-one coaching program designed to give you a complete, structured foundation for singing. It will save you months (if not years) of trial and error!