How breathing works and why!

Introduction:

Imagine when a student is first introduced to breathing during singing lessons. Likely were told to breathe low, expand their ribs, and feel a balloon in their abdomen. These instructions are all correct, but we are usually not informed why they work. Likewise, we are not educated on the relationship between specific muscles involved with breathing. As well as the role these muscles play in singing.

Early voice instruction tells student to breath from the diaphragm. While the diaphragm needs to expand fully and be allowed to drop, that muscle is involuntary. Meaning we do not have conscious control of the diaphragm. If a person has to make a long-winded speech, their abdominal muscle starts to engage by the end of the phrase to drive the last bits of air through. This involvement of the abdominals begins to compress the diaphragm, which singers call "support" or Forced Expiration.

Forced Expiration (FE): internal intercostal muscles lower ribcage, compressing the lungs, decreasing thoracic volume while the abdominal muscles apply pressure on the diaphragm expelling air. FE is an active process requiring thought by the individual. This kind of engagement is active during physical exercise as well. Contrary to quiet expiration (breathing), which occurs during rest and does not require conscious thought of the individual, singing is Forced Expiration.

Involved muscles

The first and one of two muscles discussed in this article is the Intercostal muscles. These muscles lie between the rib bones and play a part in inhalation and exhalation. Intercostal muscles have two different types, external and internal. External Intercostals are muscles situated between the ribs in a forwarding diagonal pattern. These muscles raise the ribcage while the breath draws inward. Internal Intercostals lay between the ribs in a backward diagonal mold. When these muscles contract, they compress the ribcage resulting in forced exhalation. The internal intercostal muscles are more passive than their external counterparts. During quiet expiration, the natural elastic recoil of the diaphragm releases the breath, resulting in the internal intercostal muscles not being engaged for quiet exhaling. Therefore these muscles need to be developed through breath training.

The second important muscle of this article is the Obliques. Located at the lower half of the ribcage down to the pelvic bones; the oblique's primary function is stabilizing the core, rotating the trunk, and recoiling the chest. By adding to intra-abdominal pressure through inflation and bracing, the obliques are accessory muscles involved with inhalation and exhalation. This result is because the obliques attach the ribcage to the hips.

(internal oblique muscles) (external oblique muscles)

Obliques are of two types, external and internal. Similar to the fashion of the intercostal muscles, the Internal Obliques lie in a backward diagonal pattern underneath the external obliques. The External Obliques lay in a forward diagonal pattern, along with the external intercostals. External obliques are opposite-side rotational muscles, while Internal obliques are the same-side rotational muscles. They work together, so when turning right, the right internal obliques and the left external obliques are active.

Video of a few exercises to strengthen and activate the Obliques and Intercostals. These muscles work in tandem with other muscles to provide what is known as "Support" for singers. If going for a personal record at the gym is giving 100% of your strength, incorporating the correct abdominal muscles is maybe 5-10%. A little effort goes a long way to feel support. My clients have expressed feeling more control over long phrases, a better handle over dynamics, and feeling like they have more security over their voices after our sessions.

Hope readers find this article is helpful, and feel free to reach to me with any questions or to book a session.