Tonight when my voice student was able to access their free breath in challenging passaggio areas after finding body release through redirection, they said their breath flow felt “collected”. I haven’t heard it described in that way before. I found the unique vocabulary inspiring.
Fundamentals of breathing as a singer include but are not limited to:
Low Expansion: The belly and lower ribs move outward and downward as the diaphragm lowers, maximizing lung capacity.
No Shoulder Tension: Shoulders and the upper chest remain relaxed and still, avoiding unnecessary neck and larynx tension.
Quiet and Controlled: Air is taken in silently and steadily rather than as a sharp, noisy gasp.
Foundation for Support: It sets up the core engagement needed for breath control and steady exhalation during singing.
Efficient singing is indeed of collection of focus/placement, easeful directed breath energy, and balanced registers.
Belting as a singer is exciting, precarious, and fulfilling but can be risky business. I grew up in a classical household where bel canto was prescribed as the superior singing elixir. At the time, it was the world of high Annie belt so this was less than popular. I was discouraged from belting as too often the voice is eclipsed; sounds are created using too much chest voice with a tight body from head to toe.
In my singing journey, it was only when I solidified my vocal technique that I was able to produce a healthy belt with balanced registers on the breath. Now my belt is formidable when I choose to use it.
Today, my musical theater student asked specifically to work on belt in their lesson after we had worked half of the lesson on bel canto technique. I gave them specific belt exercises through stepwise and wider intervalic patterns. Along the way, we worked on releasing the body and connected the earlier “classical” approach to finding the belt especially around Bb4 B4 and C5. This usually quiet student found their healthy belt under these conditions and got so excited by how it “felt” saying “I’ve never been able to do this.”
At the end of the day, technique is often a practice in the “wax on wax off” approach. You build the proprioceptive muscle memory with basic fundamentals eg. vowel clarity, breath connection, and focus. As a result and regardless of vocal style, you’ll have a core foundation in which to flexibly use your voice. EAP
I am grateful to have had a chance to visit my mom on this three day weekend.
It became even clearer to me why I’m an opera singer (in addition to having a deeply musical family tribe.)
Yes, it’s true. In grand opera fashion, I first walked when my mom came home from a brief hospital visit. I was so happy to see her that when she came in the front door, I stumble walked to her in front of crying relatives.
This morning took the cake though.
I had to leave at the 🍑 of the AM to catch my flight. Almost drooling, I awoke from my slumber after my alarm failed to wake me. I had to quickly say goodbye to my mom as the cab was waiting.
Mom gave me tearful hugs and kisses. She stood in the picture window as we drove away. All we needed was an act 4 Puccini C-sharp minor chord to complete the scena. 😭😅😂
Powerful stuff Andrew W. Potter. Bravo. Mad respect for your candor and clarity. Thank you for shedding important light on the state of our field.
For the past three decades, my musical career has been a chiaroscuro tapestry of multi-level teaching and freelance performing (wherever I can get it or create it) that sustains me and allows me share my muse. Coming from professional singer parents, I knew when I chose this path that talent is expected; there is so much more that goes into a career of which no two are the same, and much is sheer luck and timing. #akintsucrooner
“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dad, 25 years ago on 9.11.2001, you and mom watched in horror as the 2nd plane flew into the World Trade Center towers during the terror attacks. You would live for only one more month after this depravity of human nature. This tragedy would be the worldwide advent of rampant unconscionable terror attacks that would ensue during the first quarter of the 21st century.
Dad, on 9.15.2001, I drove home to Chicago from Louisiana along with my Nokia cell phone on a wing and a prayer so I didn’t miss an opera audition after all the planes were grounded. Lucky for me, I was fortunate enough to see you one last time. I distinctly remember staying longer than I intended and not wanting to leave.
Dad, the last 25 years has brought enormous changes to our world: physically, mentally, culturally, ethically, politically, and emotionally making 2026 scarcely recognizable from what you knew at the turn of the 21st century. Reality that I knew 25 years ago seems like an altered state in retrospect; the blinders have gradually come off.
Dad, your wife, children, grandchildren, family, friends still here face intense and mighty challenges that pervade life in 2026. The impact of modern day reality would surely have affected you deeply. I wish I could have witnessed how you would have poured yourself into your music making.
Dad, who knows what tomorrow will bring but I can say with confidence that I have learned that nothing is promised and expectation is a fool’s quest. I’m 6 years younger now than when you passed away. I know if you would have been granted more time, you would have made the most of it as you had just begun your retirement after three decades of service as an educator and musical artist.
Dad, as I continue to attempt to solve this riddle of living, I can only think about your life force and all that you gave others from family and friends to students and colleagues. In one of your world view moments of optimism, you told me once that you believed people are ultimately good at heart. Things are better, things are worse, and much is still the same. As always, Schöne Tochter
I am currently still gasping at this shocking guilty pleasure series, Beauty in Black. Season 3 dropped yesterday with all of its shocking 8 episodes. And, the unexpected ninja scene, omg.….did NOT expect those shenanigans. Had to watch that a few times, IYKYK. With all of the evil interactions going on with characters who span varying degrees of Beelzebub, the love story of Charles and Attorney Varney is what keeps hope alive. Be aware, this is NOT a show for those who are prone to pearl clutching but oh boy, Tyler Perry is one intriguing muse. He sure keeps the viewer guessing. I LOVED Tyler Perry Studios Passion and now I’m hooked with his other end of the spectrum series. #beautyinblack
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly: My Life And Other Unfinished Business
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — “Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones”
If I should stay I would only be in your way So I’ll go, but I know I’ll think of you each step of the way And I will always love you I will always love you Bitter sweet Memories That’s all I am taking with me Good-bye. Please don’t cry We both know that I’m not What you need But I will always love you I will always love you.
Very thoughtful insights today at Flagstaff Federated Community Church with Pastor Anders (fellow Chicagoan:-)
When someone asks “who are you” or even “what is your name”, how much of our response is based on our true self? How is our response influenced by the lifelong trauma we’ve experienced? What dress up version masks our past wounds and hurt?
Pastor Anders also shared the below words of Thomas Keating:
“In the spiritual teachings of Father Thomas Keating, the false self is an ego-based self-image created in childhood as a survival mechanism to find safety, happiness, and worth relying on cultural programs of security, affection, esteem, power, and control.”
Who are we beyond our collected trauma? What broken parts stand in opposition to our divine sparkle?
Yes, it feels deeply resonant to consider that we are greater than being merely sinful and flawed mortals rather we are profoundly loved and lovable. #akintsucrooner
