Breath Management Outline Sternum Diaphragm an involuntary muscle active on inhalation (descends as it contracts) passive on exhalation/singing (ascends) Appoggio formula: 1. UP!(Lift sternum without inhaling.) 2. SIDEWAYS!(Make your conscious breathing effort only with the internaland external obliques and the transverse abdominis, withwhatever unconscious help the recti abdominii wish to contribute.) 3. STAY UP!(Do not allow the chest to recoil when replenishing the air.) Important Points: Why breath management? o A longer and more reliable air supply o Greater stability in the tone o Easier execution of large skips o Improved agility passages with regard to clarity, accuracy, and speed o Far better management of pianissimo tasks o thus--true confidence in his/her vocal skills. For breath management: the singer’s critical breathing task is slowing down the ascent of the diaphragm. Diaphragmatic action is still a puzzle to the most knowledgeable of the vocal
an involuntary muscle active on inhalation (descends as it
contracts) passive on exhalation/singing (ascends)
Appoggio formula: 1. UP!(Lift sternum without inhaling.)2.
SIDEWAYS!(Make your conscious breathing effort only with the
internaland external obliques and the transverse abdominis,
withwhatever unconscious help the recti abdominii wish to
contribute.)3. STAY UP!(Do not allow the chest to recoil when
replenishing the air.)
Important Points: Why breath management? A longer and more
reliable air supply Greater stability in the tone Easier execution
of large skips Improved agility passages with regard to clarity,
accuracy, and speed Far better management of pianissimo tasks
thus--true confidence in his/her vocal skills. For breath
management: the singers critical breathing task is slowing down the
ascent of the diaphragm. Diaphragmatic action is still a puzzle to
the most knowledgeable of the vocalcommunity. The descent and
ascent of the diaphragm are not directly controllable. The
diaphragm is passive during singing.In speaking, the sternum falls,
the rib cage collapses, and the diaphragm ascends rapidly (all of
which represent the least efficient method of breathing for
singing) Using the appoggio avoids the rib collapse of normal
speaking.Appoggio singing retains the inspiratory posture of the
sternum and ribcage,retarding the ascent of the diaphragm, by far
the most importantingredient of the breath management mix. Control
over the muscles of the side abdominal walls can be learned. This
is support. You have to remember one rule only, not six or seven:
Keep that chest up at all costs! Soon it will be automatic, and you
will even look like those singers you so admire, who seem never to
be breathing.
