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n TRAINING THE SINGING VOICE
occurs in the momentary cessation of breathing after inhaling, just before attacking a tone. The ribs are extended outward and firmly set at trie moment of suspension. The rib muscles then become the central controlling muscles of the breath. [Ibid., p. 57] On the other hand, Josephson argues In favor of diaphragmatic breathing, claiming that it is more economical of effort for a definite volume of air and that it therefore re-"duces respiratory fatigue. [308] Later on he suggests the employment o£ different types of respiration for different tonal ranges, for example, chest breathing for higher tones, costo-dlaphragmatic breathing for middle register tones and abdominal breathing for the lower tones. [Ibid.j
Other coordinating factors. Coordination and equilibrium between various parts of the breathing mechanism are mentioned as important factors In breathing for singing. Bartholomew describes this coordination as a state o£ balance between the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles. The diaphragm "holds back" against the Inward and upward pressure of the aMominal wall until perfect equilibrium is reached. [39] Apparently the expiration of air under these conditions is subject to a more delicate control than would be possible by diaphragmatic pressure alone-According to Scott, in good singing, breathing must be regarded as a conflict between antagonistic sets of muscles. Hence, equilibrium is an Important factor in considering the coordinations which enter Into the act of breathing. [501, p. 44] In this state of equilibrium the contracting-muscle hold back against the expanding muscles and vice versa. [Robinson 474]
Strangely enough, the lungs and the larynx are not often mentioned in connection with breathing. Hemery claims that there is no coordination between respiratory and laryngeal movements. [238, p. 86] Shaw regards the lungs as passive organs In the breathing mechanism. "As there is no muscular fibre In the lungs themselves," he says, "they cannot perform the act of breathing." Lung expansion in breathing, then is merely a resultant of external expansion of the muscles of the thorax. The expansion of the chest wall produces a decrease of air pressure within the lungs and the response of the elastic lung tissue to this expansion is immediate. The respiratory cycle is completed by contraction of the chest wall with a resultant contraction and deflation of the lungs. [536] "The lungs are always passive in breathing and depend for their performance upon the activity of the chest walls and diaphragm." [Samuels 487, p. 9] One more factor is mentioned by Hagara in connection with the mechanism of breathing. This she offers without further explanation or proof, namely, that during Inhalation it Is Important to straighten the lumbar region of the spinal column. [220, p. 30] |
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