Choral Music Posture and Breathing A Presentation by

Choral Music Posture and Breathing A Presentation by John F. Morgan Swainsboro High School

WHAT IS POSTURE? • There is a correct way to use your body in every physical activity • Coaches teach good form and motion • Can you describe some of these forms?

WHY POSTURE? • Singing IS A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY • SINGERS are ATHLETES! • Therefore, we have to position our body to use our muscles in the best way!

SITTING POSTURE • 1. SCOOT YOUR GLUT! • 2. Tall Trunk! • 3. Flat Feet! • 4. Raised Ribs!

STANDING POSTURE • FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART • ALIGN YOUR SPINE • RIB CAGE HIGH • HANDS BY SIDE

HOLDING MUSIC: • Take care not to tear, mutilate, spindle, spit on, sneeze on, wipe boogers on, crinkle, fold, or turn inside out • Hold at bottom near center of music on side with most pages

HOLDING MUSIC: • There are no staples in most choral octavo music – you have to hold it together! • Hold it in the hand closest to the conductor • Turn pages with the other hand

HOLDING MUSIC: • Hold the music halfway up your torso • Not in front of your face • Not in your lap • You should be able to see the conductor over the music

Breathing • Muscles make us breathe • Babies do it right naturally • When people TRY to breathe right they usually can’t! • It takes practice to turn something SUBconscious into something conscious!

Breathing STEP ONE • Assume correct posture • Make sure to RAISE THE RIB CAGE HIGH to give room in your lungs for the air!

Breathing STEP TWO • Inhale – Your chest should not move • Your belly and back should enlarge!

Breathing STEP THREE • Now TIGHTEN these muscles: – RECTUS ABDOMINUS – GLUTEUS MAXIMUS – OBLIQUES & LATISSIMUS DORSI – DIAPHRAGM

Breathing STEP FOUR • THE MAIN MUSCLE FOR SINGING: ABS • Keep tightening the abs while you sing – like you are putting on pants that are too small for you!

Breathing TIPS: • Don’t let the chest or rib cage fall – keep it up and expanded! • Practice at home while lying on the floor - it’s hard to do it wrong there • Watch little babies asleep on their backs!

REHEARSE, REHEARSE • Practice until you can do it! • Practice doesn’t make perfect. • INTELLIGENT practice (& lots of it) helps you improve (toward perfection)

PERSEVERE! • Don’t give up! • Singing correctly is a learned skill! • SING!