How do opera singers carry notes that seem to last forever?

Answer 1

Short answer: Breath control.

Opera singers carry notes that seem to last forever using several techniques.

First: learn Yoga style breathing. You may have heard to breath in by pushing in your diaphragm as you breathe out, and pushing your diaphragm as far out as you can when you breathe in. That is true. That is how you exchange 50% of the air in your lungs.

With Yoga breathing, you not only throw your diaphragm all the way out to breathe in, but you also expand your chest muscles to get more air in your chest. (That is a lot of muscle in a prima donna's chest.)

When you breathe out, you not only push your diaphragm in, but you also push it up as far into your chest as possible. You also make your chest muscles as tight as possible.

Second. There are places in your mouth where you have natural amplification points. Those places are called fromats. A soprano has three, an alto and tenor four, and a bass five. Opera singers do not need to sing much louder than a whisper. They use the fromats or amplification points. Thus, their 'voice machines' do not get sore where other peoples would. They do not gasp for air when normal people would.

Many opera singers use their own techniques, such as standing on their tiptoes before singing. This kind of stress on the calves also makes the other muscles work harder, especially the diaphragm. Some voice coaches will make their trainees squeeze a quarter between their buttocks when they sing. When you squeeze the gluteals, your body also contracts the other muscles in your body. There are ways to improve the function of your diaphragm.

Of course, there are other ways. Stay hydrated by drinking water instead of other kinds of fluids. Warm up before singing for at least ten minutes. Do not yell or scream when you are off the stage, but try to save your voice, and definitely do not whisper. Whispering scratches up your throat.

Oh, and always mark in your music where you are going to breathe. If you do not mark it, you will not remember to breathe until it is too late or you will breathe too early and not make it through the note.