Breathing for Singing- The Muscles of Breath Management

The Intercostal Muscles

The term intercostal means between the ribs.

The external intercostals (the outer layer of muscle) expand the ribcage during inspiration (inhaling). The internal intercostals (the inner layer of muscle) are more active during exhalation when the ribcage slowly goes inward.

These two sets of muscles work like a bellows, drawing air in and then expelling it. The intercostals play a role in appoggio (support) by delaying the collapse of the ribcage.

During expiration for singing the internal and external intercostals are slightly antagonistically engaged, one against the other.

The oppositional action of the inner and outer intercostal muscles delays the return of the ribcage to its original pre-inspiratory position and thus the ascent of the diaphragm to its original position, providing the slow and steady stream of air needed for extended phonation.

The Abdominal Muscles

During the inhalation phase, the abdominals should be completely relaxed for the breath. During exhalation, the abdominal muscles provide appoggio or support, along with the intercostal muscles.

The abdominal muscles engaged in singing are the transverse (or transversus) abdominis muscles, the internal and external oblique muscles, and to a smaller extent, the rectus abdominis muscles.

These muscles are arranged in layers, one over the other, with the transversus abdominis muscles comprising the innermost layer.

The Transversus Abdominis Muscles

The TVA, also known as the transversus abdominus, transversus abdominis, transversalis muscle, or transverse abdominal muscles are a deep muscle layer of the anterior and lateral (front and side) abdominal wall. Known as our ‘natural corset,’ the TVA is the innermost layer of muscle, running laterally or horizontally straight across the abdomen in pairs. The TVA is layered below the internal oblique muscle and is a significant component of the core muscle group of the body that provides stability in movement. It is one of the key muscle groups involved in breath management for singing, helping to slow the process of anterior (front) torso collapse.

The Oblique Muscles

The oblique muscles are the second of the lateral abdominal muscle groups. There are two bundles of oblique muscles, the external and the internal oblique muscles. These muscles contract to twist the spine or to increase intra-abdominal pressure for functions such as childbirth, defecation, and other activities.

The external oblique muscles are the largest and outermost muscle of the lateral abdomen, beginning at ribs nine to eleven. They form the sides of the torso, sloping downward diagonally toward the front of the body.

The internal oblique muscles are the intermediate layer of muscle in the abdomen, lying below the external oblique muscles and above the transversus abdominis muscles, crisscrossing the external obliques and angling in the opposite direction, pointing up in the middle and down toward the sides of the body, stretching down to the hip bone.

These muscles are less active during inhalation; as the diaphragm contracts and lowers, the volume of the thorax increases and the lungs fill with air.

However, during exhalation, the internal oblique muscles act as an antagonist or opponent to the diaphragm, helping to reduce the volume of the thoracic cavity as the ribs collapse, reducing the volume of the air-filled lungs. When these muscles activate during singing, they assist in delaying the collapse of the ribcage as air is expelled.

An extreme form of muscle engagement, known as the Valsalva Maneuver, is performed by an opposed forceful grunt against a closed glottis while holding the breath. An example of the Valsalva Maneuver would be the natural tendency to hold the breath while picking up a heavy object. Of course, this degree of engagement is too extreme for singing purposes.

The rectus abdominis are important postural muscles. The rectus abdominis muscles are the six-pack (actually an eight-pack)- a sheath of muscles seen on a very fit and lean person, beginning at the cartilage of the fifth through seventh ribs and running down the front of the body, ending at the pubic bone.

The function of the rectus abdominis muscles is to work with the spine to keep us erect and to balance the post-vertebral muscles.

The rectus abdominis muscles should be relaxed during inhalation for singing. Locking or tightening these muscles while breathing will counteract the coordination necessary for good inhalation. Trying to breathe for singing while the rectus abdominis muscles are flexed is like driving with the emergency brakes in your car engaged! Dancers who are taught to pull the abdominals up and in must learn to relax this posture to breathe correctly for singing.

The rectus abdominis muscles should activate only at the very end of a long musical phrase. As the singer uses the last of the inhaled air, the lower section of the rectus abdominis muscles may lift the lower abdomen to assist the transverse abdominis, oblique, and intercostal muscles in delaying the collapse of the torso.

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