LaeKin Burgess McKinney Chapter 3

Why are good singing and good posture strongly interrelated? Body functions best when certain conditions exist. Each part of the body has its purpose and when they are confused extra tension can occur. Good posture is also needed to obtain proper breath flow and healthy initiation of vocal chord vibration. The vibrator and resonators function most efficiently under conditions of good posture.

               

What are the basic functions of the skeleton and muscles? Skeleton is to support, protect, and give shape to the body. Muscles are to produce movement and 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 TENSION must be recognized and   AVOIDED.

Define tonus:  State of readiness of the muscle so it reacts more quickly to stimulus.

What is McKinney’s description of good posture? A sum of all parts of the body being balanced in a place where they can work most efficiently.                      

What are the two types of postural faults? Alignment faults and tensional faults.

Define muscle. Muscle is a tissue composed of bundles of elongated cells capable of contraction and relaxation to produce movement.

What is the difference between the origin and insertion of a muscle? Origin of a muscle is at the less moveable part and inserts at a more moveable part. Contraction brings the muscle toward the point of origin. +

In which direction do muscles pull? How many directions do muscles pull?  Pull toward the point of origin in only one direction.      

How do we use muscles to stabilize parts of the body? We bring into use opposing muscle groups to give us a state of equilibrium.

What do muscles need in order to work most efficiently? A chance to relax.

What happens when muscles are held in tension for too long?  They will protest, you will experience pain, cramping, spasm, and the muscle could just stop working altogether.

What are the two primary clues to tensional faults? Trembling and rigidity.