long notes

Hi, when I try to sustain long notes in a song I try to take in a bigger enough breath for it but when it reaches the end of the breath it feels something goes up to the throat/neck and the neck area starts to feel tense there when we are almost out of breath. Is this a similar experience to anyone? and how do we train to sustain longer notes without this strain?

thank you. 

Hi, Mai! I'm not sure without seeing you, but I'm guessing those muscles may be squeezing at the end to "help" your vocal folds hold back the air. We want to train our belly muscles to do that job instead. I encourage you to use supports that help your abdominal muscles learn that coordination (like a lip trill or singing through a straw). You can also gradually work towards sustained notes by singing on GIG-GIG-GIG or BUB-BUB-BUB (using those hard consonants to keep bringing your vocal folds together). Over time, reduce the amount of times you use those consonants. (For example, you may sing GIG 8 times, then 4 times, then 2 times, increasing the length you sustain the vowel each time). 

Hi Camille, Oh okay, thank you for the advice :)

My pleasure!