One Big Breath: Broadcast Breathing

Breathing is one of the most natural things in the world - something we rarely think about - but when it comes to broadcasting suddenly we're very aware of it. We can be confused about where to put the breath in a sentence, or find that we take loud breaths which are magnified by the microphone and distracting to the listener.

When we speak naturally we breath at all the natural 'commas' in our sentence, but when we're reading a script, we can end up putting the breath in the wrong place, breaking up the sense of the sentence. We'll come to that element of breath in a moment - but first, let's look at how to breath quietly and unobtrusively as we broadcast.

There are many exercises you can do and voice coaches from different backgrounds will tell you to do all sorts of exercises every day in an effort to breath more 'quietly' and effectively.

But when I had this problem, the brilliant Arch McKirdy told me to do one thing:

Just open your mouth a little wider.


Loud breathing or breaths that can be heard come from your tongue and teeth getting in the way. When you take a breath, the sound that can be heard is from your teeth and tongue getting in the way. When you take a breath - try opening your mouth wider - drop your jaw - you'll find that when you breath in, it will be soundless.

Exercise:
Try to hear the difference - record yourself breathing in normally with your mouth slightly open, then try it again with your jaw dropped and your mouth open wider - it should be much quieter and also encourage you to breath from the diaphragm.

Breathing for sense

Knowing where to put the breath in a sentence is crucial, as it helps convey the correct meaning. If you breath in the wrong part of the sentence, you can interrupt the flow and the sense.

One breath per sentence.


As a script writing and reading rule - this is what you want. To be able to deliver one sentence in one breath.

However, if your sentence is longer and you have a comma, make sure the breath is in the right place so that you don't break up the sense or distract the listener.

Not good:


The Prime Minister has announced his resignation after admitting he profited /from shares he failed to declare to parliament.

/ = breath

Much better:


The Prime Minister has announced his resignation /after admitting he profited from shares he failed to declare to parliament.

You could in fact read the whole sentence in one breath - but if you must take a breath and are unable to rewrite the script so the sentence is shorter, make sure you take the breath in the right place.

At this point I'll introduce you to what should be a rather simple concept, but something that new broadcasters can easily forget about:

If you understand what you are reading, you are far more likely to read it naturally, as if you're speaking in a normal conversation. This sounds simple - but many new broadcasters don't think about what the script they're reading is actually about. If you don't understand a sentence - ask the writer! Make sure you understand every idea that is being transmitted.

As an exercise - try reading the script, then putting it down and without looking at it, explaining what the story or item is about. This will help you internalise the ideas you're trying to communicate.

Then - pick up the script and read it again. Record yourself doing a before and after.

If you understand what you're reading, you'll find you'll naturally put the breaths in the right place and emphasise words naturally . You should sound much more like you're not reading.

It's a great way to communicate beautifully with your listener without having to do a bunch of exercises, or circle all the 'important words' - something that you can do, but can often lead to more problems than it solves.