Diaphragmatic Breathing

Top to Bottom Highlighted: Trachea, Bronchial Tubes, Lungs, diaphrag

“Belly breath!“, the voice teacher instructs the beginning singer. What is a belly breath? The student never asks because they are confused. How does your belly breathe?

A student or parent often contacts me to inquire about voice lessons for their child. I dedicate a good half hour to getting to know a prospective student, learning about the child's age, previous musical experience,

"Belly breath!" the voice teacher instructs the beginner singer. But what does belly breathing actually mean? The student, confused, doesn't ask. How does one breathe with their belly?

So why the confusion? In my experience, voice teachers assume students understand the breathing process. They overlook the fact that students may not grasp the anatomy and physiology of breathing. From my years of experience, I can say that about 10% of the people I encounter truly understand the processes involved in breathing.

Let’s explore the fundamental aspects of breathing. Breathing relies on the concept of pressure, specifically vacuum pressure. When your brain senses external pressure, it sends a signal to your phrenic nerve. This nerve controls the diaphragm’s movement. Upon receiving the brain's signal, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating a vacuum space for the lungs to expand. Once inflated, the brain detects the increased pressure in the lungs and signals the diaphragm to contract and release the air through your mouth or nose. This process continues throughout your life. Singers and speakers must learn to control the diaphragm for optimal efficiency to produce a strong and supportive sound.

Once I explain this concept to the student, they have an "Ah-Ha" moment, and the rest of the lesson gains a new significance. The science of singing is as crucial as the art of voice.