4.1 Vocal Anatomy and Breathing Techniques

Your voice is your instrument on stage. Understanding how it works and caring for it is crucial. Vocal anatomy, from the diaphragm to the vocal cords, forms the foundation of your sound.

Mastering breathing techniques and vocal preparation sets you up for success. These skills help you project, control your voice, and maintain vocal health throughout performances. Practice them regularly to improve your craft.

Vocal Anatomy

Diaphragm and Intercostal Muscles

Top images from around the web for Diaphragm and Intercostal Muscles

• 

  Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax | Anatomy and Physiology I View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Inhalation and exhalation, diaphragm movement | Illustration… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Movements of the diaphragm and lungs during inspiration | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax | Anatomy and Physiology I View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Inhalation and exhalation, diaphragm movement | Illustration… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Diaphragm and Intercostal Muscles

• 

  Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax | Anatomy and Physiology I View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Inhalation and exhalation, diaphragm movement | Illustration… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Movements of the diaphragm and lungs during inspiration | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax | Anatomy and Physiology I View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Inhalation and exhalation, diaphragm movement | Illustration… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Diaphragm functions as primary muscle for breathing
• Dome-shaped muscle separates chest cavity from abdominal cavity
• Contracts and flattens during inhalation, creating negative pressure in lungs
• Relaxes and returns to dome shape during exhalation, pushing air out
• Intercostal muscles located between ribs
• External intercostals assist in inhalation by lifting ribcage
• Internal intercostals aid exhalation by lowering ribcage
• Both muscle groups work together to regulate breath volume and control

Larynx and Vocal Cords

• Larynx houses vocal cords and sits at top of trachea
• Also known as voice box, crucial for speech production
• Consists of cartilage, muscles, and soft tissue
• Vocal cords stretch across larynx, forming a V-shape
• Made of twin infoldings of mucous membrane
• Vibrate to produce sound when air passes through
• Pitch controlled by tension and length of vocal cords
• Vocal cords open during breathing, close during speech or singing
• Length and thickness of vocal cords affect voice quality (deeper for men, higher for women)

Breathing Techniques

Abdominal Breathing and Support

• Abdominal breathing engages diaphragm fully
• Allows for deeper, more efficient breath intake
• Observe belly expansion during inhalation, contraction during exhalation
• Practice lying down with hand on stomach to feel movement
• Breath support involves controlling exhalation for sustained vocalization
• Engages abdominal muscles to regulate airflow
• Essential for maintaining consistent tone and volume in speech or singing
• Imagine exhaling through a straw to practice controlled exhalation

Breath Control and Posture

• Breath control involves managing inhalation and exhalation rates
• Crucial for phrasing in speech and singing
• Practice counting exercises to improve breath control (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4)
• Experiment with different breath patterns for various vocal effects
• Proper posture aligns body for optimal breathing
• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent
• Keep shoulders relaxed and spine straight
• Imagine a string pulling top of head upward
• Good posture reduces tension, improves breath capacity and vocal resonance

Vocal Preparation

Relaxation Techniques

• Progressive muscle relaxation reduces overall body tension
• Start from toes, tense and release each muscle group moving upward
• Jaw massage alleviates tension in facial muscles
• Gently massage jaw joints and cheeks in circular motions
• Shoulder rolls and neck stretches release upper body tension
• Perform slow, controlled movements to avoid strain
• Deep breathing exercises promote relaxation and focus
• Inhale slowly through nose for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 8

Vocal Warm-ups

• Lip trills or buzzing exercises engage vocal cords gently
• Start at comfortable pitch, slide up and down scale
• Humming stimulates resonance and warms up vocal mechanism
• Begin with closed mouth, gradually open to "mm" sound
• Tongue twisters improve articulation and vocal agility
• Start slowly, gradually increase speed (Sally sells seashells by the seashore)
• Sirens exercise full vocal range
• Slide from lowest to highest comfortable pitch on "ng" sound
• Scale exercises build control and expand range
• Use five-note scales on various vowel sounds (ah, ee, oh)