LaeKin Burgess Malde Chapter 3

How many breaths does the average person take each day?  17,000 to 23,000

What are some properties of air? It is a gas and has a natural tendency to maintain equal pressure. It flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure when it is given the chance to.

What happens when muscles contract? The fibers become shorter called excursion

 What happens when a muscle stops contracting? Muscles return to their resting state.

What is elastic recoil? The tendency of muscles to return to the state they were in before they were stretched.

What is dynamic equilibrium? When opposing muscles work together.

What is muscle antagonism. When muscles work against each other at the same time.

How do the ribs attach to the spine? The 12 ribs on either side of the body are connected to the spine by joints.

 How do the ribs attach to the sternum? Via costal cartilage.

Describe the stereo-costal joints. The joints between ribs and sternum which are gliding and permit limited up and down movement.

Describe in further details the size and course of the ribs. Ribs 11 and 12 do not come all the way around. All the ribs connect at the spine and then curve forward and slightly down. Slope becomes progressively steeper with each rib.

How does the arm structure connect to the body? By way of the clavical bone which attaches to the sternum

 What are the primary muscles of breathing? Diaphragm, muscles that elevate the ribs, abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles.

Describe the shape, location and attachments of the diaphragm. Diaphragm attaches to the lumbar vertebrae and the bottom ribs all of the way around. It is dome shaped and when contracting pushes on the viscera of the abdomen. Central tendon in the middle of the diaphragm is connected to the heart.

Describe the location and function of the openings you see when looking at the diaphragm from below. Elliptical hole is for the esophagus. Round opening is for passage of the vena cava to carry unoxygenated blood to the heart.

What are the multiple effects of the contraction of the diaphragm? Pulls the central tendon downward, downward pressure on the viscera, pushing the lower ribs up and out, Pulls on lungs and massages the heart.

What is needed in addition to diaphragmatic contraction for a singing breath? Rib movement.

Describe the location and function of the external intercostal muscles.  Run in between each rib with fibers sloping down and away from the upper rib to the lower rib. They extend from spine almost all the way to the front.

What happens when people think that the ribs are horizontal? They try to expand their ribs horizontally when they breath.

Describe the abdominal muscles (as a group). External obliques, internal obliques, transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis.

What must the abdominal muscles do in order for the diaphragm to FULLY contract? Release.

Why else must the abdominal muscles release? For expansion of the ribs.

Explain in detail the interaction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles for inhalation. The release of the abdominal muscles allows the ribs to rise during inhalation. The diaphragm pushes on the viscera causing the released abdominals to stretch.

Why are tense abs bad for breathing but toned abs good for singing? Tense abdominals interfere with good breathing toned abdominals allow for greater elasticity

When might one activate abs during singing? Staccatos, aspirate consonants and other articulation

What is forced exhalation? pushing the air by tensing the abdominals

Why is forced exhalation usually not useful for singing? smacks the vocal folds together and releases air too quickly.

Describe the location and shape of pelvic floor and it's function during breathing. Muscles of the pelvic floor must release during inhalation. They function like a cup that is deeper during inhalation and shallower upon exhalation.

Summarize the activity of the breathing muscles. "As soon as we breathe in, the elastic recoil of the abdominals and pelvic floor exerts upward pressure on the viscera. The elastic recoil of the costal artilage and abdominals encourages the ribs to descend. To exhale, we release the work of the diaphragm and rib elevators in response to these forces."

Describe the location and shape of the lungs. Lungs are not muscles, they are organs. They rest inside of the ribcage and are attached to the sides of the ribcage and extend slightly above the collar bone. they are wider at the bottom than at the top. They are also deep and surround the sides of the thoracic spine.

What is the role of the muscles of the neck for breathing? Two muscles of the neck play and automatic function in breathing that we need not control. All other muscles must release.

                 

What is the role of the vocal tract for breathing?To provide sensory information about the air we inhale. The mouth and nose can tell us about air quality. otherwise, the vocal tract is just a passageway for the air.

What is the role of the tongue for breathing? Must release. No function.

What is the role of the vocal folds for breathing? Must be open for a quick, silent breath.

Where are the places of constriction that can cause an audible breath? lis, nostrils, front of tongue, back of tongue, velum, throat, glottis.

Describe the location, shape, and size of the trachea. Is 4-5 inches long the wedth of a quarter and branches out into brochial tubes just above the heart.

What is the trachea’s function for breathing? Does not do any work in the breathing process.

Explain the concept of gathering and lengthening of the spine as it relates to breathing. When we inhale, muscles contract bringing the vertebrae together and slightly compressing our discs. When we exhale this releases. Thus a gathering and lengthening occurs.

What are the problems caused by taking in too much air? We'll have to blow out dead air before we start the next phrase and tension.

Define and describe the two types of support.  Structural support from the skeleton being in balance. Breath support implies balance of inhale, release of abdominals and expansion of the ribs and contraction of the diaphragm implying a successful exhale also.

IF YOU inhale well, YOUR EXHALATION WILL ENJOY CONSTANT SUPPORT FROM THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES, THE PELVIC FLOOR AND THE COSTAL CARTILAGE

Describe how we regulate exhalation.: If we allow our ribs to descend and our diaphragm to ascend quickly, the breath flow will be fast. If we resist the descent of the ribs and the ascent of the diaphragm, the breath flow will be slow.

What does the author recommend instead of asking for more support? Ask if you need to let the air flow more freely or if you need to resist the release.

What are the five common breathing errors listed in this chapter? 1.Tanking up and taking more than you need. 2. Keeping your ribs out during exhalation instead of letting elastic recoil take place. 3. Thinking the diaphragm is perpendicular to the floor. 4. Thinking the ribs are immovable. 5. Pushing out with the abdominals to bring inhalation.

What is the problem with using imagery in teaching breathing? Not all images work the same for all people. Any image that goes against the laws of nature will probably induce the wrong kind of action.