Breathing

Dr. Chuck NeufeldLander University

BreathingBreathing MechanismBreathing for SingingBreath SupportSummary of Breathing

Concepts

BreathingBreathing MechanismBreathing for SingingBreath SupportSummary of Breathing

Concepts

Breathing Mechanism-Inhalation

Diaphragm looks like an overturned bowl at bottom of lungs.

Air flows into lungs when the diaphragm contracts downward.

Abdominal muscles release (Important!).

Intercostal muscles expand the ribs.

Breathing Mechanism-Inhalation

As ribs and lungs expand air flows into the lungs, seeking equilibrium of pressure.

The viscera (your guts) descends.Breathing is not "sucking" in air, it’s

“taking in” air.

Breathing Mechanism-Exhalation

As exhalation begins the diaphragm begins to relax.

The amount of diaphragm relaxation depends on the type of breathing being undertaken (at rest, hard at work, singing, etc.)

During exhalation the abdominals contract, forcing the viscera upward against the bottom of the diaphragm and lungs.

Breathing Mechanism

During exhalation there is a small amount of contraction of the intercostal muscles.

BreathingBreathing MechanismBreathing for SingingBreath SupportSummary of Breathing

Concepts

Breathing for Singing

Four step process Inhalation Suspension Controlled exhalation Recovery

Breathing for Singing

Suspension of the breath is the one breathing phase that separates singing from normal respiration.

We will discuss breath suspension in class.

BreathingBreathing MechanismBreathing for SingingBreath SupportSummary of Breathing

Concepts

Breath SupportThree terms are often used and

confused when discussing breath support.

Breath pressure is the pressure of the breath against the vocal cords that sets them in vibration

Lungs are pressurized via the valsalva reflex action, creating breath pressure.

Breath SupportBreath control is the dynamic

relationship between breath and vocal cords.

The quality of breath control (strong, weak, good, bad, ubiquitous, lazy, nonexistent, flexible, superb…) is the result of muscular action.

Breath SupportBreath support is the dynamic tension

between the abdominal (exhalation) muscles and diaphragm (inhalation muscles).

Breath support is the muscular action that creates breath control.

BreathingBreathing MechanismBreathing for SingingBreath SupportSummary of Breathing

Concepts

Summary of Breathing Concepts

• Good posture precedes good breathing.• Breath in as if smelling a rose (low

inhalation).• Breath in as if beginning a yawn.• Inhale down, out around the middle.• Comfortably up and in--free to move.

Summary of Breathing Concepts

• Four steps: inhalation, suspension, controlled exhalation, recovery.

• Inhale as if drinking a glass of water.• Breathing is effortless and silent.• Catch breath--use the “surprise” breath.• Chest is comfortably high in all phases of

breathing for singing.

Breathing

Dr. Chuck NeufeldLander University