1. Breathing Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University

2. Breathing  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts

3. Breathing  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

8. Breathing  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts

9. Breathing for Singing G Four step process G Inhalation G Suspension G Controlled exhalation G Recovery G Four step process G Inhalation G Suspension G Controlled exhalation G Recovery

10. Breathing for Singing G Suspension of the breath is the one breathing phase that separates singing from normal respiration. G We will discuss breath suspension in class. G Suspension of the breath is the one breathing phase that separates singing from normal respiration. G We will discuss breath suspension in class.

11. Breathing  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts

12. Breath Support Three 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. Three 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.

13. Breath Support Breath 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 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.

14. Breath Support Breath support is the dynamic tension between the abdominal (exhalation) muscles and diaphragm (inhalation muscles). Breath support is the muscular action that creates breath control. Breath support is the dynamic tension between the abdominal (exhalation) muscles and diaphragm (inhalation muscles). Breath support is the muscular action that creates breath control.

15. Breathing  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts  Breathing Mechanism  Breathing for Singing  Breath Support  Summary of Breathing Concepts

16. 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. 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.

17. 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. 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.

18. Breathing Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University Dr. Chuck Neufeld Lander University