1. Six Steps of Excellent Posture

2. Feet shoulder-width apart.
Provides a strong foundation
Knees slightly bent.
“Locking your knees” cuts off your circulation.
Arms at your sides.
Allows your ribcage to expand.
Ribcage expanded.
Allows you to get a good breath for singing.
Shoulders back and relaxed.
Head level.
Avoids tension in the neck.

3. FEET ________________ apart. KNEES ___________________.
Shoulder-width
KNEES ___________________.
Slightly bent.
ARMS ___________________.
At your sides.
RIBCAGE __________________.
Expanded.
SHOULDERS __________ and __________.
Back and relaxed.
HEAD _________.
Level.

4. What about seated posture?
The only difference between STANDING posture and SEATED posture is….
Knees GREATLY bent!

5. Breathing and Singing:
How does it all work, and why is it such a big deal?

6. Terms Abdominal Muscles Breath Control Breath Support Diaphragm
Exhalation
Inhalation
Lungs
Ribcage

7. How does it all work? Inhalation Diaphragm descends* Ribcage expands
Waistline enlarges
*The lowering of the diaphragm causes air to rush into the lungs

8. Energized Exhalation
Abdominal muscles are the major source of power in breath support
Ab muscles tighten during exhalation
“Balanced resistance” between the relaxing of diaphragm and contracting of ab muscles
Creates steady stream of pressurized breath
Creates steady pitch when singing

9. Why is good breath support so important?
Good tone quality (clear, supported)
Vocal endurance (sing longer and stronger)

10. How can I practice proper breathing for singing?
Lie on the floor and breathe
Belly should rise and fall
Pant like a dog
Hand on belly – is it moving?
Breathing exercises
4:4, 4:8, 4:12, 4:16
Shhhh