The Breath in Singing
One can consider the breath to be the "motor" that runs the vocal process. Many students will erroneously believe the breath to be necessary only in singing long phrases. This is not true and the breath and proper support of the breath needs to be present at all time during singing, in order to be prepared at all times to properly produce an on-pitch, pleasant sounding tone.
Richard Alderman, in his book "Complete Handbook of Vocal Training," details six types of breathing, which I will list and paraphrase here. These separate types of breathing cannot be separated from the whole, and though discussed and often isolated somewhat through exercises should not be thought of as distinct processes. That is, each happen to some degree upon the intake of a natural free breath.
| 1. Thoracic breathing - Moving the tip of the sternum away from the spinal column |
| 2. Intercostal or "rib" breathing - expansion of the thoracic cavity, and therefore, the lungs by the outward left and right motion of the ribcage. |
| 3. Clavicular or high chest breathing - movement of the collarbone and high chest area up to expand the thoracic cavity |
| 4. Diaphragmatic breathing - the shortening of the diaphragm to create the vacuum for breath |
| 5. Abdominal breathing - the use of the upper stomach muscles to create room or otherwise aid the expansion of the thoracic cavity or the shortening of the diaphragm |
| 6. Back breathing - use of the back muscles to take some of the stress off the abdominals. Strong muscles to resist exhalation, such as when lifting a heavy object. |
This is a work in progress. Please check back for more thoughts in the near future.
More to come! Check back soon!-Ronald A.Llenado
Head Instructor, Under The Sun Studios in Walnut Creek/Concord,
California
Copyright 2006,2007 by Under The Sun Studios. Permission to reprint and reproduce this article is given, provided that the live hyperlinks are maintained and the author is given due credit.