Breath Management – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Breath Management – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Posted On : Jan-23-2012 | seen (1421) times | Article Word Count : 675 |

The diaphragm is what sets off a chain of reactions that occur in the lungs, larynx and mouth or nose therefore it is generally considered the chief organ of breathing.

The diaphragm is what sets off a chain of reactions that occur in the lungs, larynx and mouth or nose therefore it is generally considered the chief organ of breathing. Breathing from the diaphragm is the most commonly used term amongst amateur singers. Unfortunately, it’s also commonly believed that the diaphragm itself controls airflow and supports the tone of the singing voice, the assumption being that we can learn to actively control the movement of the diaphragm.
The truth is, during singing, the action of pulling in new breath and driving air upward for the expulsion of breath is not a conscious function of the diaphragm. In fact, the diaphragm is actually stationary during singing, meaning we do not exert active control over its movements. In a nut shell, it is learning how to control the muscles (back and abdominal) located just beneath the diaphragm that gives a singer the ability to support its actions and thus support the singing voice.
Breathing from the diaphragm, when correctly executed, enables the singing tone to ride on a minimal and steady stream of air, which allows for stability and consistency. Moreover, this method of breath management does not involve the forceful expulsion of air rather it is the natural, correct, safe, gentle and widely accepted technique of supporting the singing tone.
Since diaphragmatic breathing is both natural and ideal, it is why so much importance is placed on ‘breathing from the diaphragm’ when LEARNING TO SING. Whether we are singing, involved in strenuous exercise or just relaxing, breathing in this natural way enables us to comfortably regulate our airflow.
It should also be noted, that breathing from the diaphragm and ‘breathing from the stomach or belly’ should not be viewed as one in the same. Breathing from the diaphragm with the support of the back and abdominal muscles is a safe and effective component of breath management. However, ‘belly breathing’ relies on excessive muscular involvement deep and too low in the body during the exhaling phase of breathing, which forces too much air pressure to blow past the vocal folds at once, which can cause vocal instrument injury.
Those who teach the ‘belly breathing’ technique (most are misguided or ill-informed), have their students place their hands below their naval during breathing exercises or when singing. This is done to encourage their students to expand all areas of the torso, even down to the pelvis, and then use excessive muscular force as they exhale. The thinking is that by pushing upward and inward with the abdominal muscles when exhaling allows more air to escape the lungs, thus enabling the singer to increase volume or vocal ‘power’. Actually quite the opposite is true. Since forcing air out in a rapid fashion does not regulate airflow effectively, it can often lead to pressed or breathy tones, which are lacking in resonance balance, and are limited in volume and dynamic variation.
There is no air below the lungs that needs to be moved upward by the muscle of the pelvic region, therefore, it is simply impossible for breathing to be controlled by the belly. Moreover, using the expression ‘breathing from the belly’ instead of ‘breathing from the diaphragm’ may mislead vocal students into accepting a breath management technique that has no scientific validity and may cause significant damage to the vocal instrument.
Since ‘belly breathing’ is an inefficient and unhealthy way to approach breath management, you should be wary of any VOCAL COACH who considers this technique to be a viable method of achieving good support for the singing voice.
In our next article, we’ll discuss a breathing technique with Italian connections – appoggio, a learned breathing technique that involves slowing down the ascent of the diaphragm for better health management.

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<h1>Breath Management – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly </h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Justin Smith.aspx'>Justin Smith</a> The diaphragm is what sets off a chain of reactions that occur in the lungs, larynx and mouth or nose therefore it is generally considered the chief organ of breathing. Breathing from the diaphragm is the most commonly used term amongst amateur singers. Unfortunately, it’s also commonly believed that the diaphragm itself controls airflow and supports the tone of the singing voice, the assumption being that we can learn to actively control the movement of the diaphragm. 
The truth is, during singing, the action of pulling in new breath and driving air upward for the expulsion of breath is not a conscious function of the diaphragm. In fact, the diaphragm is actually stationary during singing, meaning we do not exert active control over its movements. In a nut shell, it is learning how to control the muscles (back and abdominal) located just beneath the diaphragm that gives a singer the ability to support its actions and thus support the singing voice. 
Breathing from the diaphragm, when correctly executed, enables the singing tone to ride on a minimal and steady stream of air, which allows for stability and consistency. Moreover, this method of breath management does not involve the forceful expulsion of air rather it is the natural, correct, safe, gentle and widely accepted technique of supporting the singing tone. 
Since diaphragmatic breathing is both natural and ideal, it is why so much importance is placed on ‘breathing from the diaphragm’ when LEARNING TO SING. Whether we are singing, involved in strenuous exercise or just relaxing, breathing in this natural way enables us to comfortably regulate our airflow. 
It should also be noted, that breathing from the diaphragm and ‘breathing from the stomach or belly’ should not be viewed as one in the same. Breathing from the diaphragm with the support of the back and abdominal muscles is a safe and effective component of breath management. However, ‘belly breathing’ relies on excessive muscular involvement deep and too low in the body during the exhaling phase of breathing, which forces too much air pressure to blow past the vocal folds at once, which can cause vocal instrument injury. 
Those who teach the ‘belly breathing’ technique (most are misguided or ill-informed), have their students place their hands below their naval during breathing exercises or when singing. This is done to encourage their students to expand all areas of the torso, even down to the pelvis, and then use excessive muscular force as they exhale. The thinking is that by pushing upward and inward with the abdominal muscles when exhaling allows more air to escape the lungs, thus enabling the singer to increase volume or vocal ‘power’. Actually quite the opposite is true. Since forcing air out in a rapid fashion does not regulate airflow effectively, it can often lead to pressed or breathy tones, which are lacking in resonance balance, and are limited in volume and dynamic variation. 
There is no air below the lungs that needs to be moved upward by the muscle of the pelvic region, therefore, it is simply impossible for breathing to be controlled by the belly. Moreover, using the expression ‘breathing from the belly’ instead of ‘breathing from the diaphragm’ may mislead vocal students into accepting a breath management technique that has no scientific validity and may cause significant damage to the vocal instrument. 
Since ‘belly breathing’ is an inefficient and unhealthy way to approach breath management, you should be wary of any VOCAL COACH who considers this technique to be a viable method of achieving good support for the singing voice. 
In our next article, we’ll discuss a breathing technique with Italian connections – appoggio, a learned breathing technique that involves slowing down the ascent of the diaphragm for better health management. 
About the Author: Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy - Learn how to sing better with the Most powerful and effective <a rel="nofollow" href="http://kentamplinvocalacademy.co.uk/">Singing Coach uk</a> and get <a rel="nofollow" href="http://kentamplinvocalacademy.co.uk/vocal-coach/">Vocal Coach uk</a> . Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Breath-Management-–-The-Good-the-Bad-and-the-Ugly_137805.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Breath Management – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly _137805.aspx</a>

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Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy - Learn how to sing better with the Most powerful and effective Singing Coach uk and get Vocal Coach uk .

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