Discover Your Voice: Chapter 3
Emily Cottam
Chapter Summary: Good posture is essential to good breathing--the diaphragm’s function itself is directly related to posture. According to Brown, the “sixth sense” is called proprioception, which is a nerve that responds to stimuli from muscles/tendons/ligaments/joints. Essentially, it is the “sense of self,” a.k.a. kinesthesia. Brown discusses different exercises to encourage good posture. Breathing is one of the central (if not, the central) concepts of singing. The lungs are elastic and can take in plenty of oxygen; filling the lungs with air does take some effort, but releasing of the air should be passive. Good breathing is “relaxing the inspiratory muscles for expiration and relaxing the expiratory muscles for inspiration.” Singers don’t necessarily have a greater lung capacity, but they’re much more efficient with their breath. Brown explains some exercises for breathing. Allowing the air to flow freely from the lungs reduces subglottal pressure and is easier on the voice.
Key Concepts: Posture and breathing go hand in hand when it comes to creating a released and healthy sound. Much of what singers do focuses on efficiency and how to maximize the function of our breathing through posture and inspiration/expiration technique.
Key Terms: “Sixth sense” (proprioception, kinesthesia), elasticity, tidal volume, complemental volume, supplemental volume, residual volume, vital capacity, Venturi effect
Making Connections: I found it most interesting and helpful when Brown said that singers don’t necessarily have a greater lung capacity, but they’re more efficient. I have yet to really master relaxing my back and shoulders, so it’s no wonder that I find it difficult to maintain free flowing air.
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