| | From: "Kevin Hollis" <khollis@m...>
Date: Mon Sep 4, 2000 9:00 am
Subject: Re: [vocalist-temporary] Rib Cage Expansion
|
I think that what work needs to be done is dependent upon where your
body is at right now.
Working to keep the ribs expanded was something that my teacher
introduced about 6 months ago and for a while it felt very unnatural.
However the body learns and develops muscle and an
expanded chest now feels natural and flexible. I agree that a lack of
flexibility is always a bad thing but if the muscles aren't trained to
maintain a certain posture then they'll have to work hard for a while
to get there.
It surprises me not a whit that a dancer on the list doesn't need to
concern himself with expanding the ribs. However, I'm sure that when
in the early stages of learning to dance he had to maintain the
expansion with concious effort. Having done that work the body
remembers the new position and after a while it feels natural.
Saying 'If it doesn't feel natural don't do' it is simply nonsense
(and a bit of a troll, but hey I'm all for lively debate !:)) If a new
pupil arrived with a terrible body posture, I imagine that every
teacher on the list would attempt to improve that posture. For a while
the new position would feel stiff and forced and 'unnatural', that
doesn't mean it is in error.
That's what a good teacher is for and where an established trust with
the teacher is really useful.
> I had the picture that the "lotta
> vocale" was the balance between the ribcage keeping the diaphragm
flat and
> low and the abs gently pushing it up.
The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle. It can maintain it's own flatness
by contracting and pulling itself tight. It isn't primarily the
expansion of the ribs that causes the flatness.
Kevin
(Not a teacher and not a full-time singer (yet) but generally
interested in the mechanisms and dynamics of how voices work.)
PS Ian - which bits _did_ you have to conciously work at ? Allowing
the abs to relax ? Releasing jaw tension ? Lowering your centre of
gravity ? Taking the weight form your toes to your heels ? I don't
believe it all felt comfortable and natural for someone with a
dancer's body awareness.
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