Week 2 – Puffy Cheeks
LESSON SUMMARY:
This video presents a breathing exercise using puffed cheeks to improve breath control, beneficial for singers. By practicing deep breathing techniques, singers can achieve better control over their breath and vocal performance.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Topic: Puffy Cheeks (Controlled Breath Release)
Lesson Focus: Improve breath control by using resistance techniques and mindful diaphragmatic breathing to support a steady, relaxed voice.
Day 1: Watch and Try the Technique
Activity: Watch the “Puffy Cheeks” video and follow along with the full demonstration. Focus on noticing how your body feels during each part of the breath cycle.
What You’ll Do:
- Watch the video from start to finish.
- Practice each breath phase: deep inhale, puffed cheek hold, slow exhale.
- Observe: Does your breath feel different than usual? More controlled? Jot down a quick note about it.
Day 2: Mind-Body Breath Map
Activity: Use puffed cheeks breathing to connect with physical sensations in your breath cycle. This helps you build breath awareness as a singer.
What You’ll Do:
- Do 3 rounds of puffy cheek breathing.
- Each time, pay attention to a different area: belly, ribs, and throat.
- After each round, note: Where do you feel expansion? Where does tension creep in?
- Optional: Hum lightly after exhaling to feel the breath-to-sound connection.
Day 3: Slow Motion Singing Prep
Activity: Apply puffy cheek control to prep for singing long phrases. This helps extend your breath capacity and pacing.
What You’ll Do:
- Choose a song phrase you love (8 words or less).
- Do 2 puffy cheek breaths before attempting to speak or sing the phrase on one breath.
- Repeat 5x, slowly increasing the phrase length if possible.
- Note when you run out of breath—we’re training awareness, not aiming for perfection!
Day 4: Resistance Challenge
Activity: Add variation to the exhale using your puffed cheeks to simulate breath control challenges you’ll face in songs.
What You’ll Do:
- Do a regular puffy cheek breath.
- This time, release the air in short pulses: “p-p-p-p” like gentle plosive beats.
- Try again with one long, hiss-like release.
- Alternate these styles and keep your shoulders relaxed and ribs expanded.
Day 5: Sing and Support
Activity: Practice using puffed cheeks breathing before and after a vocal warm-up to build awareness of your breath impact.
What You’ll Do:
- Choose a simple warm-up (e.g., lip trill or hum).
- Start with 2 puffy cheek breaths and exhales.
- Do your warm-up.
- Finish with 2 more puffy cheek breaths and exhales.
- Reflect: Did your tone feel steadier or more relaxed?
Day 6: Breathing Meditation
Activity: Use puffed cheeks as part of a mindful breathing routine to reduce tension and increase your singing focus.
What You’ll Do:
- Set a calm space: sit, stand, or lie down.
- Do 5 full rounds of puffed cheek breathing.
- Between each round, notice your heartbeat, breath rhythm, and tension levels.
- End with a light hum to feel grounded.
Day 7: Real-World Application
Activity: Try singing a full song or verse and apply the breath control you’ve built all week.
What You’ll Do:
- Warm up with 3 puffy cheek breaths and exhales.
- Sing a favorite song or section.
- Pause, take 2 more puffed cheek breaths and exhales.
- Sing again, aiming for smoother lines and relaxed delivery.
- Bonus: Record yourself and listen back. Do you hear a difference in phrasing?
BONUS FEATURES
Science Behind It All
- Puffed cheeks create back pressure, a concept called “expiratory resistance,” which helps you stabilize the diaphragm.
- This resistance helps you stay in control of your exhale, like an air governor on your voice.
- The more controlled your exhale, the more even and expressive your singing can be!
Cue Cards
- “Puff. Hold. Flow. Repeat.”
- “Your breath is your foundation. Start there.”
- “Expand the belly. Feel the ribs. Control the air.”
This video focuses on a beneficial breathing exercise designed to enhance breath control, particularly useful for singers. The exercise involves using puffed cheeks in combination with deep breathing techniques, which can aid individuals in gaining greater control over their breath.
What the Video Covers
- Introduction to the Exercise: The video begins by explaining the purpose of the “puffy cheeks” exercise, which is to improve breath control through the use of deep breathing and puffed cheeks.
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Viewers are guided through the exercise, starting with taking a slow, deep breath through the nose, expanding the belly and lower ribs, and gently puffing the cheeks while holding the breath.
- Practical Demonstration: The exercise involves holding the breath for a few seconds before slowly and steadily exhaling through the mouth, maintaining the puffed cheeks. This process is demonstrated and repeated several times during the video.
What You Will Learn
- Breath Control: The exercise teaches viewers how to control the release of breath, which is crucial for maintaining a steady vocal tone when singing.
- Diaphragmatic Breathing: Emphasis is placed on using diaphragmatic breathing to utilize full lung capacity, avoiding shallow chest breathing that can cause vocal fatigue.
- Benefits of Deep Breathing: Regular practice can expand lung capacity, improve oxygen flow to the brain and muscles, and reduce tension, all of which contribute to better vocal performance and a calmer mind.
This video is ideal for anyone interested in improving their singing technique or simply wanting to learn more about the benefits of controlled breathing.
Instructor: Meghan
Meghan McCall is an experienced singer-actor, who has been described by The Washington Post as having “bell-like clarity and fine control” and “a radiant full-bodied voice.”
She has performed all over the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and more. In addition, her film roles have been featured on major networks such as NBC, Discovery Channel, and Lifetime.
Throughout her performing career, Meghan has helped many clients find their voice – whether for public speaking, singing on stage, or just for recreation.