An initial set of resources for anyone considering our training or interested in singing for lung health and singing for breathing.
Key information
Reading and Resources
Click on a box to download the resource or visit a website.
Singing for Breathing exercises
Now available as downloads from Amazon, Apple Music, Google Play and other digital channels.
Please search on your favourite store.
Media coverage
Singing for Breathing on Radio 4’s PM in 2009.
This is a Voice
“99 exercises to train, project and harness the power of your voice”.
An accessible introduction to how the voice works from Jeremy Fisher and Gillyanne Kayes, two of the UK’s leading vocal specialists. Recommended reading for pre-training.
Available from Amazon.co.uk
Time to breathe
A Lancet article by Georgina Ferry.
“Breathing is essential, universal, and largely unconscious. It is endowed with spiritual significance in many cultures: the words for “spirit” and “breath” in many ancient languages share the same roots. Yet somehow the lungs have not acquired the cultural cachet of the heart.”
Read more on the Lancet website.
Singing for Breathing CD
The CD is now back in stock
The CD version of the resource for patients with chronic lung conditions, as well as respiratory specialists and singing leaders. Recommended for pre-training.
Available from Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity
The Singing Hospital documentary
Alex Hyndman’s film looking at how The Singing Hospital project was developed, rehearsed and performed.
Film available on YouTube.
Inside Health
The BBC Radio 4 programme (broadcast 7th August 2019) looks at singing for breathlessness and includes an interview with the respiratory physiologist Adam Lounde.
Available from BBC.co.uk
Singing for Better Breathing Video Tuition
This resource is designed to support those wishing to improve and maintain their health through singing. It has been produced by the Sidney De Haan Research Centre, part of Canterbury Christ Church University.
Film available on YouTube.
Dance Easy: Breathe Better and Feel Good, Video Tuition
Presented by dance facilitator and respiratory public health specialist Sian Williams, the video series demonstrates a full session with a warm up, standing and seated dances, and a cool down.
Film available from Life of Breath
Finding Singing Groups in the UK
The BLF website has a searchable map that shows singing for breathing groups in the UK.
Please note: this is maintained by the BLF and groups may not have been trained by Phoene or one of our team.
Link to BLF website
Think piece
Phoene’s post, “Singing with one voice?”, on the London Arts in Health Forum blog considering the importance of training for singing leaders.
On London Arts in Health Forum blog
Latest research
Music and dance in chronic lung disease.
“Arts in Health interventions show potential to improve the quality of life of people with chronic lung disease. Listening to music, making music, and dance have accepted and established roles in the lives of people without chronic disease.”
Available from Breathe website.
World Music Day interview
Phoene interviewed by Emily Jeffery (BBC Radio Sussex, Edge of England podcast) for World Music Day.
First broadcast on BBC Radio Sussex.
The Singing Hospital
Performance by Victoria Hume and Singing for Breathing.
Royal College of Physicians, Tuesday 30th April 2019
Full performance on YouTube.
Latest research
“Group singing improves depression and life quality in patients with stable COPD: a randomized community-based trial in China.”
Available from PubMed website.
Media coverage
Mary King interviews Phoene about the natural voice on Radio 3’s “The Choir” (2013).