WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SING?WE SING?

One of the cornerstones of learning to sing is knowing how to breathe correctly One of the cornerstones of learning to sing is knowing how to breathe correctly and learn to control your breathing so that it is used to optimum effect when you and learn to control your breathing so that it is used to optimum effect when you sing. sing.

When we are born our breathing is naturally correct, babies can breathe, yell When we are born our breathing is naturally correct, babies can breathe, yell and scream with optimum effect because they use their lungs without conscious and scream with optimum effect because they use their lungs without conscious thought. As we grow older, some people become lazy in their habits only using thought. As we grow older, some people become lazy in their habits only using the upper part of the lungs, taking a shallow breath instead of a normal one. the upper part of the lungs, taking a shallow breath instead of a normal one.

To understand how correct breathing and breath control works, first you need to To understand how correct breathing and breath control works, first you need to understand the process that it uses to operate. understand the process that it uses to operate.

Surrounding your lungs is a muscle Surrounding your lungs is a muscle system called the diaphragm which is system called the diaphragm which is attached to the lower ribs on the attached to the lower ribs on the sides, bottom and to the back acting sides, bottom and to the back acting as an inhalation device. When you as an inhalation device. When you breathe in the muscle lowers breathe in the muscle lowers displacing the stomach and intestines. displacing the stomach and intestines. When you breathe out the diaphragm When you breathe out the diaphragm helps to manage the muscles around helps to manage the muscles around the lungs (abdominal muscles) control the lungs (abdominal muscles) control how quickly the breath is exhaled. how quickly the breath is exhaled.

If you breathe out quickly, the If you breathe out quickly, the diaphragm does nothing but when you diaphragm does nothing but when you breathe out very slowly the diaphragm breathe out very slowly the diaphragm resists the action of the abdominal resists the action of the abdominal muscles. A singer learns to use this muscles. A singer learns to use this muscle system to control the breath muscle system to control the breath as it is being exhaled. as it is being exhaled.

A SIMPLE EXERCISEA SIMPLE EXERCISE

Hold a finger close to your lips and breathe out slowly, the Hold a finger close to your lips and breathe out slowly, the breath should be warm and moist and you should notice breath should be warm and moist and you should notice the action of the diaphragm as you exhale. This is the the action of the diaphragm as you exhale. This is the correct amount of breath used when singing normally. A correct amount of breath used when singing normally. A singer does not need to 'force' or 'push' air through the singer does not need to 'force' or 'push' air through the vocal chords to produce a good strong sound, doing so vocal chords to produce a good strong sound, doing so creates too much pressure against the chords, preventing creates too much pressure against the chords, preventing them from operating correctly which can cause damage to them from operating correctly which can cause damage to the voice. the voice.

The stomach area should move naturally inward toward The stomach area should move naturally inward toward the end of the breath, the stomach should not be 'sucked the end of the breath, the stomach should not be 'sucked in' as it prevents the diaphragm from working effectively. in' as it prevents the diaphragm from working effectively. Instead the abdominal area should remain expanded to Instead the abdominal area should remain expanded to the level it was when you inhaled and allowed to gradually the level it was when you inhaled and allowed to gradually decrease naturally at the end of the breath. decrease naturally at the end of the breath.

This where the 'control' comes into play - the singer This where the 'control' comes into play - the singer expands the lungs by inhaling and 'controls' the amount of expands the lungs by inhaling and 'controls' the amount of air expelled when singing a note by allowing the muscle air expelled when singing a note by allowing the muscle support system to remain expanded - this doesn't mean support system to remain expanded - this doesn't mean the stomach is pushed out, rather that it is blown up like a the stomach is pushed out, rather that it is blown up like a balloon when the air goes in and the singer slows down balloon when the air goes in and the singer slows down the natural rate at which it goes down. In most people the the natural rate at which it goes down. In most people the breathing is shallow and only the top half of the lungs are breathing is shallow and only the top half of the lungs are used - breathing correctly uses the whole of the lungs so used - breathing correctly uses the whole of the lungs so that more air is available, the singer then uses the natural that more air is available, the singer then uses the natural action of the muscles (diaphragm and abdominals) action of the muscles (diaphragm and abdominals) surrounding the lungs to control the amount of air that is surrounding the lungs to control the amount of air that is exhaled when singing a note. exhaled when singing a note.

Good breath support during singing Good breath support during singing and speech requires, good posture, and speech requires, good posture, abdominal breathing and breathing abdominal breathing and breathing during natural pauses. Breathing during natural pauses. Breathing and correct support does not and correct support does not require great physical strength - require great physical strength - although having toned abdominal although having toned abdominal muscles helps, even a child can muscles helps, even a child can learn how to breath and support learn how to breath and support their voice correctly. their voice correctly. Remember....the diaphragm Remember....the diaphragm doesn't exhale for you - just helps doesn't exhale for you - just helps to control the amount of air to control the amount of air exhaled.exhaled.

Healthy Vocal FoldsHealthy Vocal Folds

Voice is produced by vibration of the Voice is produced by vibration of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are a pair of vocal folds. The vocal folds are a pair of pliable shelves of tissue that stretch pliable shelves of tissue that stretch across the top of the trachea . They are across the top of the trachea . They are enclosed within the thyroid cartilage, enclosed within the thyroid cartilage, which is the hard structure that forms the which is the hard structure that forms the mass in the neck known as the Adammass in the neck known as the Adam’’s s apple. The vocal folds, together with the apple. The vocal folds, together with the muscles and cartilages that support muscles and cartilages that support them, are known as the larynx .them, are known as the larynx .

The larynx is a valve to protect the airway The larynx is a valve to protect the airway and lungs. Thus, it is positioned where and lungs. Thus, it is positioned where the airway and the esophagus separate. the airway and the esophagus separate. The vocal folds open to allow breathing The vocal folds open to allow breathing and close during swallowing to prevent and close during swallowing to prevent food from entering into the lungs and food from entering into the lungs and during voicing.during voicing.

In order to produce voice, the lungs blow In order to produce voice, the lungs blow air against vocal folds that are closed, but air against vocal folds that are closed, but more loosely than they would be during more loosely than they would be during swallowing. Air pushes through the very swallowing. Air pushes through the very small space between them and in so small space between them and in so doing, makes the covering of the vocal doing, makes the covering of the vocal folds, known as the mucosa, vibrate. folds, known as the mucosa, vibrate.

This occurs by means of a phenomenon This occurs by means of a phenomenon known as the venturi effect. As air passes known as the venturi effect. As air passes through a constriction (or venturi), it through a constriction (or venturi), it speeds up and creates a suction in its speeds up and creates a suction in its wake. This suction draws in the pliable wake. This suction draws in the pliable mucosa from each vocal fold, which mucosa from each vocal fold, which meets in the middle only to be pushed meets in the middle only to be pushed aside by more air from the lungs. This aside by more air from the lungs. This cycle creates a repeating vibration. When cycle creates a repeating vibration. When this occurs regularly it is the sign of good this occurs regularly it is the sign of good voice production. voice production.

SoundSound

LOUDNESSLOUDNESS The volume of sound is principally a result The volume of sound is principally a result

of the pressure of the air that is blown past of the pressure of the air that is blown past the vocal folds. A more forceful expulsion the vocal folds. A more forceful expulsion of air from the lungs raises this pressure. of air from the lungs raises this pressure. Of course, the vocal folds must increase Of course, the vocal folds must increase tension to maintain the near-closure that is tension to maintain the near-closure that is needed for the venturi effect. If they do not, needed for the venturi effect. If they do not, the increased air pressure will simply blow the increased air pressure will simply blow them aside and interrupt vibration. This them aside and interrupt vibration. This tensing of the vocal folds usually happens tensing of the vocal folds usually happens instinctively, without conscious effort. instinctively, without conscious effort.

People with vocal fold paralysis or other People with vocal fold paralysis or other types of vocal fold weakness are often types of vocal fold weakness are often unable to do this, and frequently complain unable to do this, and frequently complain of an inability to increase the volume of of an inability to increase the volume of their voice. their voice.

The frequency of the mucosal wave determines the pitch The frequency of the mucosal wave determines the pitch of the voice. In addition to opening and closing, the vocal of the voice. In addition to opening and closing, the vocal folds are able to lengthen and shorten, and this forms an folds are able to lengthen and shorten, and this forms an important means of increasing vocal fold tension. Just as important means of increasing vocal fold tension. Just as tuning a guitar string will adjust its pitch, so will changing tuning a guitar string will adjust its pitch, so will changing tension on the vocal folds. In the case of vocal folds, tension on the vocal folds. In the case of vocal folds, however, tension must be altered symmetrically. A person however, tension must be altered symmetrically. A person performs this activity rapidly and precisely, and many times performs this activity rapidly and precisely, and many times over the course of a short conversation. over the course of a short conversation.

PitchPitch

Click the picture to see and hear how the vocal folds make

sound!

 TAKING CARE OF YOUR TAKING CARE OF YOUR VOICE…VOICE…Drink waterDrink water: Keeping your body well : Keeping your body well hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day (6-8 glasses) is essential to maintaining a (6-8 glasses) is essential to maintaining a healthy voice. The vocal cords vibrate healthy voice. The vocal cords vibrate extremely fast even with the most simple extremely fast even with the most simple sound production; remaining hydrated sound production; remaining hydrated through water consumption optimizes the through water consumption optimizes the throatthroat’’s mucous production, aiding vocal cord s mucous production, aiding vocal cord lubrication. Avoid such beverages such as lubrication. Avoid such beverages such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages (coffee, alcohol and caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda).  tea, soda).  

Do not smoke:Do not smoke: It is well known that It is well known that smoking leads to lung or throat smoking leads to lung or throat cancer. Primary and secondhand cancer. Primary and secondhand smoke that is breathed in passes by smoke that is breathed in passes by the vocal cords causing significant the vocal cords causing significant irritation and swelling of the vocal irritation and swelling of the vocal cords. This will permanently change cords. This will permanently change voice quality, nature, and capabilities.voice quality, nature, and capabilities.

Do not abuse or misuse your voice:Do not abuse or misuse your voice: Your voice is not indestructible. In every Your voice is not indestructible. In every day communication, be sure to avoid habitual yelling, screaming, or cheering. day communication, be sure to avoid habitual yelling, screaming, or cheering.

Try not to talk loudly in locations with significant background noise or noisy Try not to talk loudly in locations with significant background noise or noisy environments. Be aware of your background noise—when it becomes noisy, environments. Be aware of your background noise—when it becomes noisy,

significant increases in voice volume occur naturally, causing harm to your voice. significant increases in voice volume occur naturally, causing harm to your voice. If you feel like your throat is dry, tired, or your voice is becoming hoarse, stop If you feel like your throat is dry, tired, or your voice is becoming hoarse, stop

talking.talking.

Minimize throat clearing: Clearing your throat can be compared to slapping or slamming the vocal cords together. Consequently, excessive throat clearing can cause vocal cord injury and subsequent hoarseness. An alternative to voice clearing is taking a small sip of water or simply swallowing to clear the secretions from the throat and alleviate the need for throat clearing or coughing. The most common reason for excessive throat clearing is an unrecognized medical condition causing one to clear their throat too much.

Moderate voice use when sick: Reduce your vocal demands as much as possible when your voice is hoarse due to excessive use or an upper respiratory infection (cold). Singers should exhibit extra caution if one’s speaking voice is hoarse because permanent and serious injury to the vocal cords are more likely when the vocal cords are swollen or irritated. It is important to “listen to what your voice is telling you.”

HAPPY SINGING HAPPY SINGING AND JUST KEEP AND JUST KEEP

GOIN’ ON!GOIN’ ON!

Your voice is an extremely valuable Your voice is an extremely valuable resource and is the most commonly resource and is the most commonly used form of communication. Our used form of communication. Our voices are invaluable for both our voices are invaluable for both our social interaction as well as for social interaction as well as for most peoplemost people’’s occupation. Proper s occupation. Proper care and use of your voice will give care and use of your voice will give you the best chance for having a you the best chance for having a healthy voice for your entire healthy voice for your entire lifetime. lifetime.