Chapter Summary: When we're told about what good breathing for singing involves (rib cage expansion, lateral expansion, breath suspension, etc) they are helping us understand what happens when we sing correctly, but that that doesn't tell you what to do to sing right. That's not to say it's not important to understand what happens when we sing but it's important to not overcomplicate something as innate as breathing. The more simply we breathe the better. When speaking, we know what we are about to say so we automatically take enough breath to finish the phrase. We can also complicate exhalation for singing when we think about 'support' or 'breath control', which, according to the book, creates greater air pressure. What we need is greater airflow, not pressure. The book prefers the phrase "releasing the breath". The paradox the book talks about is that the more completely we release our air, if the vocal cords are vibrating efficiently, the longer our air will last. Proper exhalation gives us the feeling of being out of control.
Key Concept: Just like speaking or phonation, breathing is natural and innate. Breath just happens. The more complicated we make it as singers the more we strain how organically breath just happens.
Key Terms: Sensation of flow
Inhalation (inspiration)
Exhalation
Making Connections: As I think about breathing and how I've done breathing for singing up till this point I think I have come to an impasse at the paradox of free and generous release of breath. Breathing is one of my biggest issues! I know I need to just let breath in deep but I've also been focusing a lot on breath expansion and other things because I haven't been breathing differently for singing than I do in normal life. I fear I'm beginning to overcomplicate it.
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