Perhaps the most important factor in keeping your Larynx a happy one through your life is managing your breath correctly. In the Italian School of singing proper breath management is referred to as appoggio. This word is derived from the verb appoggiare which means "to lean"
" Appoggio is the term used to sum up the kind of muscular coordination on which the Italian system of breath management is based. Although the word appoggiare means to lean against, or to support, the term appoggio can properly be describe as encompassing sterno-costal-diaphragmatic-epigastric breathing. Appoggio embraces a total system in singing which includes not only support factors but resonance factors as well. With reference to breath management for the singing instrument, appoggio encompasses the interrelationship of the muscles and organs of the trunk and neck, combining and balancing them in such an efficient way that the function of any one of them is not violated through the exaggerated action of another."
"Appoggio begins as a postural attitude: the sternum must remain at a moderately high, poised position throughout the breath cycle. The sternum finds this position when the arms are raised over the head and then brought down to the sides of the body; at the same time the shoulders are relaxed. making certain the sternum does not lower. In this position the sternum could be raised still higher, which would be too high; it could also be lowered from this posture by "relaxing" it, which would be too low. This noble posture is perhaps the most visible trademark of the Italian schooled singer. it is the key to the Italians breath coordination in singing"
"The Position of the diaphragm itself is partially determined by posture. For example, the abdominal muscles which engage the diaphragm are in a state of contraction in the standing position but less so during sitting. Further, if the sternum lowers, the diaphragm is unable to maintain the proper degree of distention during the breath cycle, especially as required during the singing act; the rib cage, attached to the sternum by the sever upper ribs will tend to collapse if the sternum is dropped. the ribs remain in a well expanded position if the sternum and the costal muscles are poised. Because the muscles of the epigastrium (so often confused with the diaphragm itself) engage the diaphragm, a sensation of internal-external muscular balance takes place during the course of the sung phrase. this feeling of stabilized muscular balance increased with the demands of pitch and power." - Richard Miller, National Schools of Singing.
An excersize- Stand facing a mirror, raise your hands over your head and slowly lower them laterally until they are at your sides. This is your starting position. Inhale, making sure that your breath falls into you. Exhale out on a hiss. Exhale by contracting the muscles of your abdomen. When you exhale make sure not to collapse your ribs, you should be able to change the strength of the hiss with the muscles of your abdomen.
when done correctly, the muscles directly below the crest of the rib cage will expand outwardly, as a product from being pressed on from above and below.
This takes time to learn. Keep practicing!
Larz the Larynx
" Appoggio is the term used to sum up the kind of muscular coordination on which the Italian system of breath management is based. Although the word appoggiare means to lean against, or to support, the term appoggio can properly be describe as encompassing sterno-costal-diaphragmatic-epigastric breathing. Appoggio embraces a total system in singing which includes not only support factors but resonance factors as well. With reference to breath management for the singing instrument, appoggio encompasses the interrelationship of the muscles and organs of the trunk and neck, combining and balancing them in such an efficient way that the function of any one of them is not violated through the exaggerated action of another."
"Appoggio begins as a postural attitude: the sternum must remain at a moderately high, poised position throughout the breath cycle. The sternum finds this position when the arms are raised over the head and then brought down to the sides of the body; at the same time the shoulders are relaxed. making certain the sternum does not lower. In this position the sternum could be raised still higher, which would be too high; it could also be lowered from this posture by "relaxing" it, which would be too low. This noble posture is perhaps the most visible trademark of the Italian schooled singer. it is the key to the Italians breath coordination in singing"
"The Position of the diaphragm itself is partially determined by posture. For example, the abdominal muscles which engage the diaphragm are in a state of contraction in the standing position but less so during sitting. Further, if the sternum lowers, the diaphragm is unable to maintain the proper degree of distention during the breath cycle, especially as required during the singing act; the rib cage, attached to the sternum by the sever upper ribs will tend to collapse if the sternum is dropped. the ribs remain in a well expanded position if the sternum and the costal muscles are poised. Because the muscles of the epigastrium (so often confused with the diaphragm itself) engage the diaphragm, a sensation of internal-external muscular balance takes place during the course of the sung phrase. this feeling of stabilized muscular balance increased with the demands of pitch and power." - Richard Miller, National Schools of Singing.
An excersize- Stand facing a mirror, raise your hands over your head and slowly lower them laterally until they are at your sides. This is your starting position. Inhale, making sure that your breath falls into you. Exhale out on a hiss. Exhale by contracting the muscles of your abdomen. When you exhale make sure not to collapse your ribs, you should be able to change the strength of the hiss with the muscles of your abdomen.
when done correctly, the muscles directly below the crest of the rib cage will expand outwardly, as a product from being pressed on from above and below.
This takes time to learn. Keep practicing!
Larz the Larynx
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