The phrase "catch the breath" must always be coupled with the phrase "reverse the air." At its simplest level, we are talking about the natural rhythm of breath in and breath out. However, for the singer, understanding the exact moment sound is created within this cycle is the key to a free and moving tone.
In a healthy respiratory cycle, several things happen in quick succession:
It is at that precise middle point—where the vocal cords close in the midst of the cycle—that we sing. Singing is essentially "launching" the tone from the center of the breath cycle.
Think of the breath like catching a ball and immediately throwing it back. This movement can be done in a quick or slow rhythm, but it is always continuous. When we "catch the breath" and "reverse the air," we are mentally and visually participating in this natural cycle without interrupting the flow.
Many vocal issues stem from either "pushing" the air out too aggressively or "holding" the breath in a way that creates tension. By viewing singing as a redirection of the air (the throw) immediately following the intake (the catch), the vocal muscles and air stay natural and keep moving. This ensures that the vibration remains free and the larynx remains stable.
The goal is a seamless transition from inhalation to phonation. When you treat your breath as a rhythmic, ongoing process rather than a static event, you remove the physical blocks that hinder your range and resonance. Catch the breath, reverse the air, and let your voice fly!