Plan B Forum

I learned about circular breathing when I was working on learning to play the didgeridoo. It involves pulling air into the lungs from the nose, and simultaneously out the mouth, to produce a continuous tone. I have a recording from a dance band at a New Year's Eve party where a trumpeter held a single note for more than 6 minutes. He used circular breathing, not recording studio technology.

Is circular breathing used in human singing, ever?

Thanks, Snailgate

I'm not a student of vocal music but I think inhaling while singing might give a person some unusual sound effects but wouldn't do anything for sustaining "normal" notes. It might be a good lung exercise though. Just my opinion....

Since inhalation and exhalation are caused by pressure differentials between the lungs and the atmosphere outside the body caused by the movement of the abdominal diaphragm changing the volume (and thus changing the air pressure inside) of the thoracic cavity, I can't for the life of me see how one can be inhaling and exhaling at the same time, whether they are singing, blowing a trumpet, or talking out of their ass a la Dumb'old J. Trump.

-"BB"-

Circular breathing doesn't involve inhaling and exhaling simultaneously. This is how it works:

1.) Inhale.
2.) Instead of exhaling all of the air, allow some to be stored in your cheeks.
3.) Push this air out whilst inhaling to keep a steady flow of exhaled air.
4.) Repeat.

It cannot be used for vocals as there isn't a continuous flow of air through the larynx.

I think that made sense...