Breathing for Singing- The Ribcage

With active respiration, we affect or control both inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation for singing, the abdominal muscles should relax; there will be an expansion around the middle of the torso, including the epigastrium, waistline, bottom ribs, and lower back.

As the diaphragm lowers, it displaces the internal viscera slightly, causing slight outward expansion of the epigastrium (the area of the abdomen between the navel and the sternum) and torso.

Focus mainly on the sideways or lateral expansion of the lower ribcage during inhalation. Simply expand the lower ribcage outward while relaxing the abdominal muscles during inhalation; everything else will follow.

When the ribs open, a vacuum is created due to differences in air pressure and air naturally flows in. (See Air Pressure and Thoracic Volume above). The expansion of the lower ribcage, epigastrium, waistline, abdomen, and back is known as the 360 Degree Singer’s Breath.

Exhalation

During phonation (exhalation), singers engage antagonistic muscular resistance to slow the rate of torso collapse. The intercostal muscles, along with the muscles of the abdomen (the oblique muscles, the transversus abdominis muscles, and the rectus abdominis muscles) create appoggio for singing.

They work together to delay the collapse of the torso to slow the rate of diaphragmatic ascent, to moderate and control airflow, and to keep subglottal air pressure low for an extended period. This is active respiration- we are actively moderating the exhalation.

During passive respiration, volume or space in the lungs decreases immediately when the air is used; the diaphragm ascends and subglottic air pressure rises quickly as a result. When we resist the collapse of the ribcage, we maintain the expansion of the ribcage and torso longer. 

By delaying the collapse of the torso, a lower subglottic air pressure level is maintained. Antagonistic interaction between the muscles of inspiration and the muscles of expiration during appoggio prevents excessive subglottic pressure and delays the ascent of the diaphragm, providing steady and minimal airflow to the vocal folds.

This is what is really meant by singing from the diaphragm: controlling and delaying the rate of diaphragmatic ascent by incorporating assistance from the intercostal and lateral abdominal muscles to delay the collapse of the ribcage, keeping the body in the position of inhalation longer.

This antagonistic relationship between the muscles of inhalation and the muscles of exhalation is called la lotta vocale or la lutte vocale– the vocal contest.

The challenge lies in energizing the appoggio muscles while maintaining complete relaxation of the extrinsic swallowing muscles. Don’t allow the extrinsic muscles of the neck to tense up; this area must be relaxed at all times!

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