How many breaths does the average person take each day?
17,000-23,000
What are some properties of air?
Air is a gas. Its tendency is to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, and maintain equal pressure.
What happens when muscles contract?
The muscles fibers become shorter and the muscle, as well as surrounding structures, move.
What happens when a muscle stops contracting?
The muscles release to their resting state.
What is elastic recoil?
Elastic recoil is when the muscles are able to return to their previous state after they are stretched.
What is dynamic equalibrium?
When opposing muscles work together, by one muscle releasing while the other contracts.
What is muscle antagonism.
When the muscles are working at the same time against each other.
How do the ribs attach to the spine?
at the costovertebral joints
How do the ribs attach to the sternum?
at the sternocostal joints
Describe the sterno-costal joints.
Sternocostal joints are gliding joints, allows up and down movement
Describe in further details the size and course of the ribs.
Each of the top ribs is longer than the one above it. The ribs slope down and the slope increases with each rib.
How does the arm structure connect to the body?
It connects to the sternum with a joint to the clavicle.
What are the primary muscles of breathing?
Diaphragm, the muscles that elevate the ribs, the abdominal muscles and muscles of the pelvic floor.
Describe the shape, location and attachments of the diaphragm.
The lungs connect to the top of the diaphragm, and the abdominal organs.
Describe the location and function of the openings you see when looking at the diaphragm from below.
You see the opening for the esophagus and the aorta in the central tendon of the diaphragm.
What are the multiple effects of the contraction of the diaphragm?
-downward pressure on the viscera
-pushes the lower ribs up and out
-pulls down on the lungs and massages the heart
What is needed in addition to diaphragmatic contraction for a singing breath?
Rib movement, elevating the ribs expands the thoracic cavity allowing for more air.
Describe the location and function of the external intercostal muscles.
The external intercostal muscles are the outermost layer. Their fibers start and the sternum and slope down and away from the upper ribs.
What happens when people think that the ribs are horizontal?
If the ribs are mapped horiztonally, people try to push them out horizontally at the sides to achieve rib movement.
Describe the abdominal muscles (as a group).
The abdominal muscles extend down to the pubic bone and overlap the lower ribs. These muscles are constantly moving
What must the abdominal muscles do in order for the diaphragm to FULLY contract?
The abdominal muscles must release in all directions.
Why else must the abdominal muscles release?
The release of the abdominal muscles also allows the ribs to rise
Explain in detail the interaction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles for inhalation.
The abdominal muscles must be passive during inhalation so that they can be stretched by the action of the diaphragm.
Why are tense abs bad for breathing but toned abs good for singing?
If the abs are tense the diaphragm can not move as far and the breath will not be as grounded.
When might one activate abs during singing?
during exhalation, to articulate accents, aspirate consonants or sing staccato notes
What is forced exhalation?
Forcing the air out of your body instead of letting it happen.
Why is forced exhalation usually not useful for singing?
Because then it is harder to prepare you next breath and it wastes energy
Describe the location and shape of pelvic floor and it's function during breathing.
The pelvic floor is the bottom of the abdominal cavity, the muscles that form the pelvic cavity connect to the lower inside edges of the pelvis and form a bowl shape. When we inhale the pelvic floor must release.
Summarize the activity of the breathing muscles.
We inhale, the diaphragm contracts pushing down on the viscera, the ribs raise, the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor release. In exhale, we release the work of the diaphragm and the rib muscles.
Describe the location and shape of the lungs.
The lungs conform to the shape of the ribs, spine, heart and diaphragm. They are attached to the ribs and diaphragm. The lungs are wider at the bottom than the top. The lungs extend from the 7th rib in front and the 10th rib in the back.
What is the role of the muscles of the neck for breathing?
scalenes and the sternocleidomastoids BUT they perform their role automatically and should not be cultivated
What is the role of the vocal tract for breathing?
The vocal tract provides us with information about the air we inhale and it is a passageway for air.
What is the role of the tongue for breathing?
To be out of the way
What is the role of the vocal folds for breathing?
The vocal folds must be open for inhalation.
Where are the places of constriction that can cause an audible breath?
the lips, nostrils, the tongue, velum, throat, glottis
Describe the location, shape, and size of the trachea.
The trachea is between four to five inches long and is about the width of a quarter. It's size is fixed and is located in front of the esophagus.
What is the trachea’s function for breathing?
no function
Explain the concept of gathering and lengthening of the spine as it relates to breathing.
The motion of breath compresses the spine when the work of inhalation stops the spine is released and the cartilage springs back into place.
What are the problems caused by taking in too much air?
When we take in too much air, we waste energy, and have to force air out to make room for more on the next inhale.
Define and describe the two types of support.
Structural support: standing in balance, so that the muscles are free to accomplish what they need to.
Breath Support: the movement of breath facilitates the sound.
Describe how we regulate exhalation.
By regulating the release of the muscles of exhalation. We have to resist the descent of the ribs and ascent of the diaphragm to allow the air to be release in a slower way.
What does the author recommend instead of asking for more support?
Ask yourself if you need to allow the breath to flow more freely or if you need to resist that release.
What are the five common breathing errors listed in this chapter?
tanking up, keeping the ribs up during exhalation, the diaphragm is perpendicular to the floor, the ribs are immoveable, pushing out with the abdominals will bring inhalation
What is the problem with using imagery in teaching breathing?
Some singers may take the imagery too literally, especially if it goes against the law of anatomy and physiology.
Describe the connection of the ribs to the spine.
Movement in ribs in breathing causes movement in thoracic spine
Name the other muscles that move the ribs.
The levatores costarum, the serratus posterior superior, the pectoralis muscles, the serratus anterior and the scalenes.
Name the 4 muscles that form the abdominal wall.
External obliques, the internal obliques, the transversus abdominis and the rectus abdominis
What is the epigastrium?
The epigastrium is the upper central region of the abdomen.
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