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"dramadiva2002" <dramadiva2002@y...>
"dramadiva2002" <dramadiva2002@y...>
Date: Sun Dec 30, 2001 7:43 pm
Subject: Re: [vocalist] Breathing woes...

Wow, this is really helpful. I have heard variations on this theme but this particular approach is very helpful for me both as a singer and a teacher. I love getting new material for my arsenal. <wink> Sincerely, DramaDiva :-) --- In vocalist-temporary@y..., "Sharon Szymanski" < --- In vocalist-temporary@y..., "Sharon Szymanski" < > > I find the best way to deal with the ribs is to > find my best singing posture, with everything lined up > properly, and I usually find thinking about my upper chest > and my back most useful in achieving this. When I have my > best posture, the ribs, along with my entire respiratory > system are ready to do what is necessary to support the > breath for singing. There are times when I might *think* > ribs to remind myself of correct posture. But that's not > the same thing as artificially forcing the ribs (or anything > else) into a particular position. > > Peggy > M=215002.1818248.3328688.1261774/D=egrou > pmail/S=1705034266:HM/A=847665/rand=919876466> > > I agree that posture can make a huge difference in obtaining and > maintaing the lovely balance between abdominals that allows optimal > breath function while singing. Several years ago I came up with a trick > that seems to help EVERY singer who tries it. I have them stand with > good posture and then raise the arms as though they were going to > conduct, keeping them bent at the elbows and at about chest height. > This alone seems to really promote an excellent ribcage position; I then > add a simple downward movement of the hands during inhalation (mimicking > the fall of the breath into the body) and have them then bring the hands > back up to chest level as they prepare to sing. While singing, the > hands are given a gentle bounce up and down an inch or so; this seems to > help maintain the abdominal balance nicely and keep things from > collapsing, as well as making it almost impossible for the abdominal > area to be too tight (the actual problem for which I developed this!). > The students use these hand movements for as long as they need to in > practice. When the results without the hands are as good as with the > hands, they stop using them. I cannot believe how incredibly well this > works for all sorts of breathing issues. Try it! You'll like it! > > Sharon Szymanski > The Szymanski Studio - "encouraging excellence in the vocal arts" > >