Huh?
This is an excellent strategy to use to help young singers understand proper breathing technique. Have students find empty wall space to lean against. Next, have them bend their knees slightly so they are almost sitting against the wall. Have students breathe in from the stomach without raising their chests or shoulders. If used properly, students should feel their ribs and back muscles pressing against the wall. This can also be done while lying on the floor.
What is the point? Students need to learn what it FEELS like to properly breathe, and what it feels like to be full of air. Young singers also need to be aware that it's ok to look a little "portly" when pushing out their stomachs to take in air. When this happens, it due to the diaphragm pushing down on the stomach, intestines, and other viscera to make room for the lungs to expand. "Imagine you're a big Russian woman..."
I believe perhaps the hardest thing to teach young singers is how to properly breathe and efficiently use their air support. What do you think, fellow vocalists?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
As an accomplished karaoke artist, I would like to agree with our breathing exercise as a good way to get students to feel correct breathing. I must move a bit away from your statement that it's "ok to look a little 'portly'." In the entertainment/karaoke business, you have to look good. No, better than that: gooooooooooood. Looking portly doesn't sell records or get a bar hopping. Breathing: yes. Looking portly: no.
ReplyDelete:)
Thank you for confirming exactly what is wrong with the music industry. It doesn't matter if you can sing and use proper vocal technique as long as you look good.
ReplyDeleteMusic has been McDonaldized, people!