In a message dated 2/11/2002 11:23:39 AM Eastern Standard Time, LeaAnn@k... writes:
> ...the goal is to take a full low breath..and exhale that breath evenly. > The evenness of exhalation will allow one to carry a long phrase or note. >
lea ann,
this is it (i think). when we make everyday sounds, we don't think of exhaling consciously, we think 'make sound'. the act of making sound uses air. i'm guessing by consciously exhaling, you are causing yourself to use too much air and, as the vocal folds are partly responsible for holding one's breath, as you think 'exhale', you are telling the folds to open which, is the opposite of adduction.
part of the 'appoggio' concept is to resist exhalation with the muscles of inhalation. you'll see many older singers (particularly in hines' 'great singers on great singing') talking about 'drinking in the sound' which, i think, almost suggests trying to think of inhaling while one sings. they will also talk about 'sul fiato' or, 'on the breath' as opposed to 'col fiato' or, 'with the breath'. 'sul fiato' describes the sensation of feeling as if the voice is sitting on a cushion of air while 'col fiato' describes the sensation of the sound 'surfing the air on its way out'. of course, these sayings describe perception rather than fact.
mike
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