Emily F. OB 3

Emily F. OB 3: Breathing is the basis for singing, and good posture helps good breathing. Lung capacity isn't necessarily the main factor in having enough air for singing, it's the use of our air and space we allow for our lungs by proper posture that helps us sustain long phrases. Alignment that is tall and free and strong allows the most movement of the rib cage and diaphragm and thus the greater expansion of the lungs. We as singers should work on breathing exercises separate from singing so that we can recognize what the most efficient, effective way to breathe is. Breathing for singing requires much more energy and volume (vital capacity) than breathing for life (tidal volume). Breathing through the nose helps filter, warm, and humidify the air that we take in and is good for singing. Finally, just trust that the air will be there when we need it!
Key concept: We need to get to know and understand how breathing works in our bodies in order to best use it for singing. 
Key terms: crura of the diaphragm, psoas major and minor, body alignment, proprioception, tidal volume, complemental volume, supplemental volume, residual volume, vital capacity
Making connections: I never breathed through my nose in singing until about two years ago. I discovered in lessons that breathing through my nose gave me the fullest breaths. This was a huge revelation for me. I still struggle with a lot of aspects of breathing for singing, especially in performances, like timing the breath so that it's comfortable and not held, and getting enough air to sing but not too much, and the action of relaxed visceral displacement upon inhalation with good breath support during singing. It's tricky! I'm better than I used to be, but I still have a long way to go. The exercises in the chapter seem like they'll be helpful.