6 Breath Control Trainers For Young Performers That Build a Strong Foundation

You’re in the third row, watching your child on stage. Whether they’re singing a solo, playing the clarinet, or delivering a line in the school play, you see them take a short, shallow gasp for air mid-phrase. It’s a tiny moment, but it’s the difference between a good performance and a great one. Building a young performer’s confidence often starts with the most fundamental skill of all: breath control.

Why Breath Control is Key for Young Performers

When we talk about performance, we often focus on the flashy parts—hitting the high notes, nailing the solo, remembering the lines. But underneath all of that is the engine that powers it: the breath. For singers, actors, and musicians playing wind instruments, the breath is their fuel, their rhythm, and their emotional connection to the material. A shaky breath leads to a shaky note or a faltering line.

Think of it like learning to dribble a basketball before you practice a three-point shot. Breath control is that foundational. It’s not just about taking in more air; it’s about the management of that air. It’s about a smooth, supported exhale for a long vocal phrase, a quick and silent inhale between musical passages, and a centered, calm breath to manage stage fright.

This skill transcends the stage. Learning to control their breath helps kids regulate their nervous system, focus their energy, and build a powerful sense of physical self-awareness. It’s a tool they will use in public speaking, sports, and stressful situations for the rest of their lives. Investing in this foundation pays dividends far beyond their next recital.

HABA Pinwheels for Play-Based Breath Control

How do you explain the diaphragm to a six-year-old in their first choir? You don’t. You hand them a pinwheel and turn the lesson into a game. For the youngest performers, typically in the 4-to-7-year-old range, abstract concepts like "breath support" are meaningless. They learn through play and immediate, visual feedback.

A simple, well-made pinwheel is the perfect first "trainer." The goal isn’t just to make it spin wildly, but to learn to control the spin. Can you make it turn slowly and steadily for five whole seconds? This simple challenge teaches the core of breath control: a consistent, even exhale. It externalizes the feeling of a supported airstream, making a complex internal process visible and fun.

This is the ideal starting point because the investment is minimal and the engagement is high. It’s a toy that doubles as a tool, perfect for the child who is just exploring an interest in singing or a recorder class. There’s no pressure, just the joy of seeing their breath create motion.

Voldyne 5000 for Visualizing Inhalation Volume

Your child has moved beyond the basics. They’re 9 or 10, have been in the school band for a year, and their teacher is starting to talk about "taking a full breath" before a long passage. This is where a visual tool for inhalation becomes incredibly valuable. The Voldyne 5000 is an incentive spirometer, a medical device designed to encourage deep breathing, and it’s a fantastic, concrete way for kids to see their lung capacity in action.

The device is simple: as your child inhales through a tube, a piston rises in a clear chamber, measuring the volume of their breath. A small ball in a separate chamber also rises if they inhale at an optimal speed, teaching them to take a full, controlled breath rather than a short, sharp gasp. For a young trumpet player or vocalist, this is a game-changer. It turns the invisible act of inhaling into a measurable, visual goal.

Using a Voldyne helps a child connect their teacher’s instruction with a physical sensation. They can literally see the difference between a lazy, shallow breath and a deep, diaphragmatic one. This is the right tool when the goal shifts from playful exploration to conscious skill-building, typically for performers between the ages of 8 and 12 who are beginning to take their craft more seriously.

Ultrabreathe: A Simple, Portable RMT Device

Once your child hits middle school, their commitment to an activity often solidifies. They’re practicing more, the music is more demanding, and they might be thinking about auditions. This is the stage where introducing Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) can provide a significant edge. Think of RMT as strength training for the breathing muscles, and the Ultrabreathe is an excellent, entry-level device for this purpose.

The Ultrabreathe is a compact, simple tool that provides resistance when your child inhales. By breathing in against this resistance, they are strengthening their diaphragm and the other muscles involved in inspiration. It’s like lifting a small dumbbell, but for their lungs. The resistance is adjustable, so it can be set to a very low level for a beginner and increased as their strength improves over time.

This is a great choice for the 11-to-14-year-old who is dedicated but not yet at an elite level. It’s affordable, durable, and small enough to fit in an instrument case. It helps them build the stamina needed to get through a challenging piece of music without their breath support failing in the final measures. It’s the logical next step up from visualization tools to active conditioning.

Expand-A-Lung for Building Diaphragm Strength

You have a dedicated performer on your hands. Maybe they’re a serious vocalist needing more power behind their voice or a brass player looking to increase their volume and endurance. When the focus shifts from basic stamina to building real power, the Expand-A-Lung is a robust tool to consider for performers aged 12 and up.

While many devices focus solely on inhalation, the Expand-A-Lung is known for providing significant resistance to strengthen the diaphragm and core breathing muscles. It’s a no-frills, highly effective trainer designed to build the raw strength required for demanding performance. Using this device helps develop the powerful, deep breaths needed to sustain long notes with authority and projection.

This is a step up in intensity. It’s for the young performer who understands that physical conditioning is part of their artistic practice. It’s less about the nuance of breath control and more about building the powerful, reliable engine needed to fuel that control. It’s a smart investment for a child who has demonstrated consistent passion and is working to move from an intermediate to an advanced level.

The Breather for Inhale and Exhale Resistance

What if the demands of your child’s activity are more specific? A flute player, for example, needs incredible control over their exhale, while a singer may need to train for a quick, silent inhale. For the teen performer who is starting to refine their technique at this level, The Breather is an exceptionally versatile tool. Its key feature is the ability to set resistance levels for inhalation and exhalation independently.

This dual-functionality is what sets it apart. It’s like having two specialized workout machines in one device. You can set a higher resistance for the inhale to build inspiratory muscle strength, and a different, perhaps lower, resistance for the exhale to train for a steady, supported airstream. This allows for highly targeted training that can be tailored to the specific needs of an instrument or vocal style.

Because of its specificity and higher price point, The Breather is best suited for the serious high school performer, likely aged 13 or older, who is working with a private instructor. A coach can provide specific exercises and resistance settings to address technical weaknesses and achieve artistic goals. This is a tool for targeted, technical refinement, not just general conditioning.

POWERbreathe for Inspiratory Muscle Training

For the highly committed young performer or athlete, precision matters. POWERbreathe is a globally recognized brand that focuses specifically on Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) with a wealth of scientific research behind its products. When the primary goal is to combat breathlessness and increase the efficiency of every inhale, this is a top-tier option.

By focusing exclusively on strengthening the diaphragm and intercostal muscles (the muscles we use to breathe in), POWERbreathe helps performers take in air more easily and effectively. This means less fatigue during a long performance, faster recovery between phrases, and a reduced feeling of being "out of breath." For a vocalist in a demanding musical, a trumpet player in a marching band, or even a competitive swimmer, this specialized training can make a profound difference.

The POWERbreathe line includes various models at different resistance levels and price points, from entry-level to advanced electronic versions. This makes it a scalable investment. You can start with a basic model for a dedicated 14-year-old and know there is a clear upgrade path if their commitment and skill level continue to grow into their late teens. It’s a precision instrument for performers who are serious about optimizing every aspect of their craft.

Supervising Use for Safe, Effective Practice

With the exception of a simple pinwheel, these devices are training equipment, not toys. Just as you wouldn’t send a child into a gym without instruction, it’s crucial to supervise the use of these tools to ensure they are safe and effective. The goal is to build strength, not to create strain, dizziness, or bad habits. Always start with the lowest resistance setting and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for session length and frequency.

Most importantly, make this a collaborative decision with your child’s instructor. A great vocal coach, band director, or private music teacher will know precisely how a breath trainer can complement their curriculum. They can provide guidance on which device is most appropriate and how to integrate it into a practice routine. The tool should always support the teacher’s methods, reinforcing proper technique rather than working against it. This partnership ensures your investment truly helps your child build a strong, sustainable foundation for years to come.

Ultimately, supporting your young performer isn’t about buying the most expensive gear; it’s about providing the right tool at the right time. By matching the trainer to their developmental stage and commitment level, you empower them to build skills, confidence, and a deep connection to their craft. That foundation is an investment that will support them long after the applause fades.