In the 80’s, the fastest runner of the 50 yard dash could do it in 5.24 seconds, yet in 2013, the fastest runner made it in 4.35 seconds. That is a direct result of the coaches’ understanding the body and training their athletes better. Likewise, voice “coaches” can speed the learning curve of their students.
In the beginning singers were focused on the external muscles of vocal support. Back in the 30’s and 40’s teachers of the voice believed that if you trained abdominal, chest, back and intercostal muscles that your vocal support would be enhanced.
THEN- the prophet appeared! Doing studies with emphysema patients in military hospitals in the 50’s and 60’s Carl Stough changed our belief system FROM focus on the external muscles TO focus on the internal membrane of the diaphragm. Carl was an award winning choral director when he was asked by a pulmonologist to do this research. This seemingly small discovery changes what is possible for vocal development and achievement.
In the beginning singers were focused on the external muscles of vocal support. Back in the 30’s and 40’s teachers of the voice believed that if you trained abdominal, chest, back and intercostal muscles that your vocal support would be enhanced.
THEN- the prophet appeared! Doing studies with emphysema patients in military hospitals in the 50’s and 60’s Carl Stough changed our belief system FROM focus on the external muscles TO focus on the internal membrane of the diaphragm. Carl was an award winning choral director when he was asked by a pulmonologist to do this research. This seemingly small discovery changes what is possible for vocal development and achievement.
Every religion has ritual, and once the singing community embraced Stough’s work, then the rituals around training the vocal support and technique also changed. Training the diaphragm with specific exercises is now isolated from the act of singing itself.
Singers have less body tension and vocal stress when training of the diaphragm is isolated. As a result, they can learn more quickly and safely and reduce the chance of injury. Today, disciples of Carl Stough are only beginning to see the positive effects of our new belief system.
While we are still a growing congregation, if you are interested in incorporating these beliefs into your teaching practice, try teaching your students to add just one exercise to their daily routine and see what the results are. Here is the most basic exercise one can do for diaphragm training.
Singers have less body tension and vocal stress when training of the diaphragm is isolated. As a result, they can learn more quickly and safely and reduce the chance of injury. Today, disciples of Carl Stough are only beginning to see the positive effects of our new belief system.
While we are still a growing congregation, if you are interested in incorporating these beliefs into your teaching practice, try teaching your students to add just one exercise to their daily routine and see what the results are. Here is the most basic exercise one can do for diaphragm training.
a. Lie down with pillows under your head and knees – placing one hand on your lower abdomen and one hand on your upper chest. Make sure that your chest and abdomen are completely relaxed.
b. Breathe through your open mouth – 10-20 breaths and notice that there is no tension in chest and abdomen restricting your organic breathing pattern.
c. For 5 breaths, use your exhale to passively produce a “la la la” sound.
d. Do the exercise again, breathe for 10-20, and la la la for 5-10. Then, get out of bed and go to work!
Steven Flam has perfected the training of your diaphragm for vocal power.
GET YOUR FREE ‘FROM THE PRESCRIPTION PAD OF BREATHINGRX’ EBOOK NOW
b. Breathe through your open mouth – 10-20 breaths and notice that there is no tension in chest and abdomen restricting your organic breathing pattern.
c. For 5 breaths, use your exhale to passively produce a “la la la” sound.
d. Do the exercise again, breathe for 10-20, and la la la for 5-10. Then, get out of bed and go to work!
Steven Flam has perfected the training of your diaphragm for vocal power.
GET YOUR FREE ‘FROM THE PRESCRIPTION PAD OF BREATHINGRX’ EBOOK NOW
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