Emily C., McKinney, Ch. 3

Emily C., McKinney, Ch. 3, Posture

• Why are good singing and good posture strongly interrelated?
• The body functions best in certain conditions. Good posture allows the skeletal framework and the muscular components of the body to fulfill their basic functions efficiently. 
• The actuator of the vocal instrument functions best in certain conditions; it allows breathing to be efficient. 
• The vibrator and resonators of the vocal instrument function best in certain conditions. It’s easier to tune the resonators when everything is in proper alignment. 
• The singer him/herself functions best in certain conditions; familiarity creates confidence. 
• The audience functions best when the appearance of the performer is confident, poised. 
• The general health of the individual can be benefitted by good posture. 
• What are the basic functions of the skeleton and muscles?
•  Skeleton: support, protect, give shape to the body. 
• Muscles: produce movement and to assist in positioning the body. 
• What are the adjectives that the author suggests for good posture?
•  buoyant, expansive, erect, alert, free-to-move, vibrant, flexible, poised, tall, loose, free, happy, balanced. 
• Excessive _____ must be recognized and ____ .
•  tension, avoided.
• Define tonus.
•  a normal state of slight continuous tension in muscle tissue which facilitates its response to stimulation. 
• What is McKinney’s description of good posture?
• It must be so habitual that it doesn’t require continual analysis and responds readily to thought patterns. It’s the ability to place the parts of the vocal instrument in their most efficient working position as often as possible. 
• What are the two types of postural faults?
•  Alignment and tensional. 
• Define muscle.
•  a tissue composed of bundles of elongated cells capable of contraction and relaxation to produce movement in an organ or part. 
• What is the difference between the origin and insertion of a muscle?
•  origin: the less movable part. insertion: more movable. 
• In which direction do muscles pull? How many directions do muscles pull?
• They pull towards the point of origin. Usually they pull in only one direction. 
• How do we use muscles to stabilize parts of the body?
•  Opposing groups of muscles are brought into use simultaneously to stabilize it so that it may function more effectively. 
• What do muscles need in order to work most efficiently?
•  They need to be given frequent opportunities to relax. 
• What happens when muscles are held in tension for too long?
•  It will begin to protest; quiver/tremble/shake violently in a tetanic flutter. Intense pains may develop, and if tension is still not released, it will eventually lose its ability to function. 
• What are the two primary clues to tensional faults?
• Some form of trembling, quivering, shaking
• rigidity.