The singer should achieve a ‘lateral’ expansion around your
epigastric region – the area between the navel and the sternum. This also
includes the lower ribs at the sides and, to some extent, the back. The sternum
should be raised during inhalation, and there should be no chest displacement
(collapse) thereafter. The expansion should not be forced forward in the
abdomen only, as this will create tensions and limit the work of the
intercostal muscles, which are mostly responsible for raising and expanding the
lower ribs at inhalation in order to create more width within the thoracic
cavity, (which in turn decreases the subglottic pressure).
This expansion of the lower ribs, and the use of the
intercostal muscles during all breathing tasks will help the singer learn
appoggio technique, which seeks to maintain that initial inspiratory position,
with the diaphragm lowered for as long as is possible and comfortable, the
sternum raised and the lower ribs raised and expanded for most of the sustained
note or sung phrase in order to reduce the subglottic pressure. (With the chest
cavity expanded and the diaphragm in its lower position, there is more ‘space’
for the air molecules because the dimensions of the thoracic cavity have been
increased both horizontally and vertically, and there is therefore less
subglottic pressure.) This is applicable not only to singing, but to speaking,
as well.
To raise the sternum (until it becomes easy and automatic),
the singer can inhale as he raises his arms over his head, then slowly lower
the arms as he exhales, being sure to keep the sternum in the same position.
The Garcia position – laying flattened palms (facing outwards) on top of each
other and resting them on the sacrum, or lower back – is also useful for
opening up the posture. This will raise the sternum, open up the ribs and keep
the shoulders from rolling too far forward. The Garcia position is particularly
helpful for students of voice who have poor general posture due to imbalance in
the muscular strength between the back and abdomen, and who experience
difficulty maintaining a raised sternum while vocalizing.
It often helps to place the fingers on the upper abdomen
pointing toward the navel and the thumbs on the lower side ribs pointing toward
the back, and also to breathe while standing in front of a mirror to ensure
that the chest is remaining stable throughout the entire breath cycle. The lateral
expansion doesn’t have to be huge or exaggerated, especially when only a small
amount of air is required for the upcoming vocal task.
Lying on the floor on one’s back, with the knees bent and
allowing the lower back to gently push into the floor while inhaling may also
cue the singer to the feeling of proper ‘support’ from the lower back muscles.
Some teachers refer to this technique or sensation as ‘breathing into the
back’.
OTHER BREATHING EXERCISES
To get the correct feeling of the air being held back in a healthy manner (i.e., not being compressed, squeezed or choked off by constricted throat muscles or held back by a tightly closed glottis) through appoggio technique, the singer can try combining unvoiced sounds and voiced consonants and vowels.
For example, a sustained hiss (/s/) followed by a
/z/-/o/-/z/-/s/ on a single breath and note. Each of these sounds should be
executed for four steady beats. This particular exercise is helpful at demonstrating
to the singer how small a stream of air is truly needed in order to create and
sustain voice. The singer should also remember to maintain the inspiratory hold
while performing this exercise.
A rapid 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-7-6-5-8-7-6-5-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 on a /z/
or /v/ sound is also helpful.