Voice 101 page 5
learning to sing better
The Lungs
Most people don't use their entire lung capacity. Your lungs actually extend from way up in your shoulder area to the end of the rib cage. During normal activity, the average person only fills up about 80 per cent of their entire lung capacity. Why? Cause it's hard and uncomfortable to do otherwise! It takes control over the body muscles to move your lungs enough to entirely fill. Also other factors, like smoking, decrease lung capacity. Happily, getting regular light exercise as I suggested earlier can do wonders for your lungs - even if you smoke.
The Abdominal and Middle Back Muscles
The abdominal and middle back muscles are the true workhorses of the voice. The area you'll want to focus on lies between your rib cage and your pelvic bone, both in the front and back. Stand comfortably and put your hand on your tummy. Take a breath. Your tummy should swell out under your hand - this is your abdominal area. Now move both your hands to either of your sides just above your hips. Take a breath. You should feel a slight swelling under either hand as those muscles expand to bring in air. Finally, put your hands around to your back, just above the hips and on either side of your spine. Take a breath. Once again, you should feel a slight swelling as you inhale.
If you do this exercise and can feel some swelling in all the areas mentioned, congratulations! You're breathing correctly. If you don't feel swelling in one or more areas, you are probably breathing from your shoulders. Stand in front of a mirror and take a breath. Do your shoulders raise up? If so, you're trying to breathe out of the most difficult and cramped area in your lungs! You'll need to practice taking breaths with your hand(s) placed correctly. Close your eyes, concentrate on the area and relax. Will your body to breathe from there. Do this for 5 minutes every day. You will eventually learn to make this entire area move when you breathe.
Frontal abdominals:
1. Lie on the floor flat on your back, both legs stretched out away from you and your feet toward the ceiling. Clasp your hands behind your neck. Take in a deep breath and exhale slowly. To the beat of the music, raise your head a few inches off the floor - you should feel your stomach tighten a little bit to do this. Hold this position and slowly breathe in for a count of 8 (use the beat of the music to help you count), then, while still holding your head up let your breath out slowly for a count of 8 (use the beat of the music again). Relax your head to the floor, relax your arms, and take a few deep, relaxing breaths.
Level 1 - do 3 times
Level 2 - do 5 times
Level 3 - do 7 times
Level 4 - do 10 times
continued on page 6
