Week 1 – Deflating Tire
LESSON SUMMARY:
The “Deflating Tire” exercise video focuses on controlling exhalation with hissing sounds to improve lung capacity and breath control. It encourages practicing the exercise in daily activities to enhance breathing skills playfully.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Lesson Focus: Controlled exhalation, breath awareness, and improving lung capacity for longer, smoother vocal phrases.
Day 1: Watch & Hiss
Activity:
Learn the “Deflating Tire” exercise and practice steady exhalation with a strong, smooth hiss.
What You’ll Do:
- Watch the “Deflating Tire” video.
- Place hands on your stomach.
- Inhale through your nose, then hiss out.
- Try 3 rounds of hissing — time each one!
Goal: Feel your breath control in action and get familiar with using your core to manage air.
Day 2: Beat Your Time
Activity:
Challenge yourself to hold your hiss for longer each round.
What You’ll Do:
- Repeat the 3-round hiss routine.
- Time each hiss using a phone or stopwatch.
- Write down each time — can you beat your previous day?
Goal: Increase breath control and build endurance for longer vocal phrases.
Day 3: Hiss & Move
Activity:
Add light movement while hissing to simulate real singing situations.
What You’ll Do:
- Walk slowly in place or stretch your arms while hissing.
- Keep your hiss even and steady for 3 rounds.
- Reflect: Was it harder to stay consistent while moving?
Goal: Learn to maintain steady breath while the body is active — just like on stage!
Day 4: Quiet & Strong
Activity:
Try experimenting with the volume of your hiss to find control without strain.
What You’ll Do:
- Do 3 hisses:
- Whisper-level hiss
- Medium hiss
- Strong, energized hiss (without blowing out too fast)
- Which one gave you the longest time and best control?
- Do 3 hisses:
Goal: Discover how balanced energy, not force, supports longer, stronger breath control.
Day 5: Song Breath Prep
Activity:
Try the hiss, then hum a short melody or line from a song.
What You’ll Do:
- Do 2 rounds of “Deflating Tire.”
- Right after, hum or sing a 5–10 second phrase.
- Does your voice feel more supported? Was it easier to sing long phrases?
Goal: Start transferring breath control from exercise to actual singing.
Day 6: Everyday Hiss
Activity:
Bring breath practice into your day-to-day activities.
What You’ll Do:
- While folding your laundry, making your bed, or walking, do short hisses.
- Optional: Do 1 “Deflating Tire” round each time you switch activities.
- See how relaxed and focused it makes you feel.
Goal: Make breath control feel natural in both life and singing.
Day 7: Final Challenge + Reflect
Activity:
Test your progress and reflect on what’s changed over the week.
What You’ll Do:
- Time your hiss 3 times, just like Day 1.
- Compare your results — what improved?
- Write down or say aloud: “This is what I learned about my breath this week…”
Goal: Celebrate growth in breath control, awareness, and stamina.
PARENT TIP (Optional)
If your teen is open to it, ask them to “teach” you the Deflating Tire exercise. This helps reinforce their knowledge and builds confidence while giving you a peek into their learning!
The goal of the deflating tire exercise is to control how air leaves your body, just like a tire slowly losing air. This video will help you practice steady breathing, improve your lung capacity, and have some fun with your breath!
What You’ll Do
- Hands on Stomach: You’ll start by placing your hands on your stomach to feel your breath.
- Deep Breaths: Take a deep breath in through your nose with your lips closed.
- Hissing Like a Snake: When you breathe out, make a hissing sound like a snake by saying “hisssss.”
What You’ll Learn
- Timing Your Breaths: Challenge yourself to see how long you can hiss, and try to beat your own records!
- Breath Control: By repeating the exercise three times, you’ll learn to make your breath deeper and more controlled.
Tips for Success
- Repeat and Improve: The video suggests doing the exercise three times to improve each time.
- Hiss with Energy: Make sure your hiss is energetic and smooth, moving air out of your body evenly.
- Practice Anytime: Feel free to practice hissing while doing everyday activities like folding laundry or brushing your hair—just maybe not if you’re face-to-face with a real snake!
Get ready to have fun and improve your breathing skills with Deflating Tire!
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.