[Perform-Talk] Questionable singing advice opinion needed

[daryl.swinson at gmail.com]

I think the advice is sound, though incomplete. In the video below, the instructor discusses the entire core, not just the muscles that a crunch will activate and strengthen. I encourage you to listen to this and, just perhaps, take up yoga and work the other muscle groups she mentions to strengthen your entire core and supporting muscle groups. 😊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWklEABS36M


-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-Talk <perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via Perform-Talk
Sent: Thursday, January 1, 2026 9:49 AM
To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Perform-Talk] Questionable singing advice opinion needed

Hello,
i booked a lesson with a teacher a couple weeks ago who has been teaching in schools for a while but is relatively new to my area. She seemed nice, but I'm not quite sure I trust her advice and was curious what you all think. i struggle with breathing and have for a while, so she proceeded to tell me that the reason I am having trouble getting a deep inhale without raising the shoulders is because of wak abdominal muscles and advised me to do crunches every day for a week and I would notice a difference. I have never been told by any previous teacher to do crunches; she actually had me get down on the floor during the lesion and do some so I could feel proper engagement. i could be wrong, but it is my understanding that you don't use the abdominal muscles to inhale, only to supportthe realease of air when singing. I have another lesson with her on Monday, but I'm considering canceling it since I am not sure her advice is correct. For those of you who have more experience with this than I do, what are your thoughts? Have I been given incorrect advice and should not continue with the lessons or is this accurate technique? luckily the teacher allows booking one lesson at a time, so I can terminate at any time without losing anything. I chose this teacher because she specializes in contemporary genres which is what I'm interested in, but her advice on breathing has me a little concerned about the validity of her training.
Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone 
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