BREATHING TECHNIQUE FOR SINGING MUSICAL THEATRE – GRADE 6 LAMDA

The most important parts of the human anatomy are those involved in breathing. Without breath
we perish.

Generally we breathe through our nose and through the mouth. When singing we must be able to
breathe freely through our mouth in order to catch our breath in time for the next phrase of music.

The primary breathing muscles are the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles, the abdominal muscles,
and the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Fortunately, if our brain is functioning as it should, and so long as there is no blockage in our airways,
the brain will send messages to the diaphragm to keep it doing the job of pushing air in and out of
our lungs even whilst we are asleep.

The diaphragm is a thin but strong dome-shaped muscle that nestles inside the ribs under the lungs,
separating the thorax and the abdomen. When we inhale the diaphragm lowers to allow the lungs to
fill with air and lifts to push the air out on exhale. ‘Singing from the diaphragm’ means keeping the
airway open, not straining the throat muscles, limiting the amount of hard onsets for vowel sounds
(the use of the glottal for emphasis) and therefore creating more resonance from within the body.

The intercostal muscles between the ribs allow the ribs to open and close accordingly. When singing
we need to be more aware of this and allow the ribs to open up more than when resting or when
speaking gently. Engaging with the intercostal muscles will also help the singer to control the exhale
of breath in order to sing long phrases or sustained long notes.

Use of the pelvic floor muscles helps to provide support for long phrases, high notes, dynamics (loud
or particularly soft sustained sounds) and especially for safe ‘belting’.

Abdominal muscles stretch and release as we breath in and out but if tense this will prohibit
efficient breathing. Toned abdominal muscles are particularly helpful when singing staccato or
creating accents within a phrase as they will be more responsive than un-toned muscles and help to
maintain stamina during a performance.