| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
CONCEPTS OF BREATHING |
81 |
||
|
|
|||
|
tion in teaching posture. Of the 79 fundamental concepts in this category, 46 statements relate to physical culture and 33 statements to the maintenance of correct chest position.
Physical culture as a method. Shaw's opinion represents the prevailing point of view that correct breathing invariably requires an expansion of the torso in the chest and abdominal regions. This expansion is the cause, not the result of breathing. It can be taught as an action separate and apart from breathing because the muscles involved are all subject to voluntary physical control. In other words, as Shaw expresses it, "Torso action should be taught—not breathing." [519] "Expand to breathe—do not breathe to expand." [518, p. 193] To the opera and oratorio singer, physical exercises to enlarge the chest and strengthen the intercostal, diaphragmatic and abdominal muscles are "an absolute necessity/* [Douty 144] Singing inevitably requires physical cultivation of the breathing and vocal organs. [Armstrong 23]
Correct posture is of course essential to good tone production. But it must be developed gradually, without strain, "to the point where it becomes a habit." [Austin-Ball 31, p. 2; Waters 646] "Under the conditions of correct posture, deep breathing is facilitated," [Wilcox 666] and the body is kept responsive and free from rigidity. [Wodell 681] Furthermore, correct posture brings coordinated parts into natural alignment and thus assures a perfect functioning of the vocal mechanism. The breathing activity of singing should never disturb the structural alignment of the body which correct posture establishes. [Wilcox 669, pp. 3 and 15] Poor posture cramps the diaphragm. Therefore, as Harper believes, physical culture would seem to be the logical approach to voice culture. [228, p. 11] The singing teacher should apply the physical principles of correct posture to every voice lesson, requiring daily practice of postural controls as a means of enhancing breathing and vocal controls. [Stephens 582]
Wilson holds that posture is "a very important consideration in establishing correct breathing habits." [674, p. 29] Correct breathing is impossible until the entire body (posture) has acquired "poise and flexibility." [Wharton 655, p. 20] The voice always suffers when posture and breathing action are bad. [Wodell 680] Therefore, the consideration of posture comes first among the fundamentals of training the singer's voice. [Fergusson 178]
The kind of posture recommended for good breathing in singing is compositely described in the following thirteen admonitions:
1. The correct tension of muscular attachments between larynx and spine or larynx and sternum (breast bone) must be maintained. [Stephens 582] |
|||