Hi, Deborah (and others)
Deborah wrote:
I am curious about any comments people may have about the concept of "Support" in singing.
There seems to be two schools of thought here, one being that support includes a full lung of air supposed downward pressure and expansion of the lungs. The other is a full lung of air and expansion of lungs with a contraction of muscels in the region of lower abs. I think they are called transverse obliques and one other group of muscles that I just forget the name of at present. ***************************************************************
David here: Support doesn't mean much if the vocal folds do not resist the air flow. There is antagonism between the exhalation muscles (abdominals, internal intercostals) and the closing of the glottis. Getting the right balance and timing of these muscles is the goal of the onset exercises we just talked about on this list.
************************************************************ Deborah again:
We also have a sudden rush of teachers here back into descending larynx. And very dropped jaws any opinions on these things anybody?
**************************************************************** David here:
I don't feel comfortable about "very" dropped jaws, but I do believe in a slightly lowered larynx. I think it is important to note to the students that this must be a _relaxed_ feeling, and not a _forced_ one. By relaxing the muscles above the hyoid bone (essentially the tongue, jaw and neck), the larynx is allowed to achieve a position that is better for phonation. Of course, any good thing can be overdone, and moderation is important.
My 2 cents, David Grogan Longview, Texas
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