What Every Singer Needs to Know Ch. 3 The Singer’s Breath
How many breaths does the average person take each day?
Between 17,000 and 23,000.
What are some properties of air?
Air is a gas, which means it has a tendency to retain equal pressure. This means that air molecules will move from areas of high pressure to areas of low, and vise versa.
What happens when muscles contract?
The fibers they are made of become shorter.
What happens when a muscle stops contracting?
It releases to it's original state.
What is elastic recoil?
The property of muscles that allows them to return to their natural state after being stretched out.
What is dynamic equalibrium?
When opposing muscles work together, one muscle releasing so that the other can engage fully.
What is muscle antagonism.
When both opposing muscles are contracting at the same time.
How do the ribs attach to the spine?
With joints. Ribs 2-9 are connected to the vertebrae above through a joint as well. Ligaments support these joints.
How do the ribs attach to the sternum?
The bone of the rib becomes cartilage as it approaches the sternum. This cartilage, called the coastal cartilage, connects to the breastbone (sternum).
Describe the stereo-costal joints.
The first rib is fused directly to the sternum. Ribs 2 through 6 connect to the sternum through gliding joints, allowing some movement up and down. Ribs 7 through 10 join into one cartilaginous joint to the sternum.
Describe in further details the size and course of the ribs.
Each rib is longer than the rib above it. The slop increases with every rib.
How does the arm structure connect to the body?
Through the collarbone which connects the arm to the sternum. The arm is not connected to the ribs or spine.
What are the primary muscles of breathing?
The diaphragm, the abdominal muscles, the muscles the elevate the ribs, and the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Describe the shape, location and attachments of the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle that arches up inside the ribs. It is thin, but quite strong. The lungs are connected to the diaphragm, and the abdominal organs nestle up inside it. The central tendon connects the diaphragm to the heart. In the back, the diaphragm is anchored to the lumbar vertebrae, and around the circumference the diaphragm is connected to the lowest ribs.
Describe the location and function of the openings you see when looking at the diaphragm from below.
There is an elliptical opening in the back of the central tendon for the esophagus to pass through and a hole in the central tendon for the vena cava to go through. The aorta passes through behind the diaphragm along the spine.
What are the multiple effects of the contraction of the diaphragm?
Pulls the central tendon downward. It exerts downward pressure on the viscera, causing it to displace. It pushes the lower ribs up and outward. It pulls down on the lungs and massages the heart.
What is needed in addition to diaphragmatic contraction for a singing breath?
Elevating the ribs allows the thoracic cavity, resulting in fuller inhalation and a controlled exhalation.
Describe the location and function of the external intercostal muscles.
The are located between the ribs. The start at the spine and span from the upper rib to the one below.
What happens when people think that the ribs are horizontal?
They try to push their ribs out rather then elevating them. This is strenuous and inefficient.
Describe the abdominal muscles (as a group).
They are thin, strong, flexible muscles that go around the front, sides, and back of the abdomen.
What must the abdominal muscles do in order for the diaphragm to FULLY contract?
RELEASE
Why else must the abdominal muscles release?
So that the ribs can rise in inhalation.
Explain in detail the interaction of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles for inhalation.
The abdominal muscles release in inhalation so that the diaphragm can contract and the viscera can move downward and outward.
Why are tense abs bad for breathing but toned abs good for singing?
Tensed abs prevent inhalation, toned abs return to their original state more quickly and firmly, aiding in exhalation.
When might one activate abs during singing?
While singing accents, staccato, and aspirate consonants.
What is forced exhalation?
When the abdominal muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor contract and the ribs are pulled down. This forces the viscera up higher into the diaphragm and makes the thoracic cavity smaller. The lungs expel more air.
Why is forced exhalation usually not useful for singing?
Because is requires a lot of energy and a longer recovery period.
Describe the location and shape of pelvic floor and it's function during breathing.
These muscles line the pelvis in a bowl shape. It does not move a lot upon contraction, but does aid in inhalation when released and exhalation when contracted.
Summarize the activity of the breathing muscles.
The breathing muscles move the diaphragm and ribs to allow the lungs to expand, and the aid the diaphragm and ribs in releasing so that they return to a released state.
Describe the location and shape of the lungs.
They conform to the shape of the heart, spine, ribs, and diaphragm. They extend to the 7th rib in front and the 10th rib in back. They are larger at the bottom than the top.
What is the role of the muscles of the neck for breathing?
Only the scalenes and the sternocleomastiods are involved in breathing, and they do not require conscious effort to operate. We do need need to engage our neck muscles.
What is the role of the vocal tract for breathing?
The vocal tract is a sensory tool to give us information about the air we are breathing, and that's all.
What is the role of the tongue for breathing?
To be out of the way and not do anything.
What is the role of the vocal folds for breathing?
They must be open. They open wider for silent inhalation.
Where are the places of constriction that can cause an audible breath?
Anywhere along the vocal tract. Nose, lips, tongue, velum, throat, glottis.
Describe the location, shape, and size of the trachea.
It is relatively short - between 4 and 5 inches long. It is the width of a quarter. It spans from the bottom of the laryngopharynx to the lungs.
What is the trachea’s function for breathing?
It carries air to the lungs.
Explain the concept of gathering and lengthening of the spine as it relates to breathing.
As we inhale the vertabrea all move clower together so that the ribs move closer together. When we exhale, the spine elongates and returns to it's resting position.
What are the problems caused by taking in too much air?
We have to blow out dead air before we can inhale again.
Define and describe the two types of support.
Structural support is the proper alignment of the body so that our weight is distributed efficiently across our skeleton and to the floor or chair we are on. Breath support is created by the return of the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles to their original state.
IF YOU INHALE WELL, YOUR EXHALATION WILL ENJOY CONSTANT SUPPORT FROM THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES, THE PELVIC FLOOR AND THE COSTAL CARTILAGE
Describe how we regulate exhalation.
By regulating the release of the muscles of inhalation.
What does the author recommend instead of asking for more support?
Asking whether the breath needs to move more freely or whether we need to resist release.
What are the five common breathing errors listed in this chapter?
-Tanking up, taking in more breath than you need.
-Keeping the ribs out during exhalation (very uncomfortable!)
-Thinking the diaphragm is perpendicular to the floor.
-Thinking the ribs are immovable
-Pushing out the abdomen will aid in inhalation.
What is the problem with using imagery in teaching breathing?
Some students will take them literally and get confused, or will interpret them differently and have a different response to the image.
Name the 4 muscles that form the abdominal wall.
External obliques, transverse abdominis, internal obliques, and rectus abdominis.
What is the epigastrium?
The part of the upper abdomen immediately over the stomach.
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