Explore the significance of materials in creating harmonious sounds, while delving into the complexities of human tissue’s irregular properties for sound.
Musical instrument makers have spent hundreds of years in search of the best materials for their master pieces. In violin design, for example, the wood must have predictable and constant elastic properties, be free of cracks or impurities and have proper moisture content. The relatively high predictability of the sound of human-made instruments depends, then, on the choice of materials and geometry of the instrument. In contrast, the geometries and material properties of human tissue involved in sound production are quite irregular. The material properties may depend on many factors: time of day, state of health, intake of foods and drugs, body fatigue, hormonal level, or the emotional state of the individual.
Most of the biological materials have evolved for motor activities like running, grasping or internally propelling fluids and solids. None of these activities involves the combination of rapid vibratory motion and repeated collision of two pieces of flesh that characterize voice production. One wonders if there is something extraordinary about the structure or mechanical properties of the larynx of a premier singer. Does the vocal instrument have unique geometry, a unique cellular structure, or is it matter of how the vocal instrument is “played” by a gifted musician?
Physical process of breathing
No other activity is more influenced by breathing than vocalization. Proper breathing supported by a healthy core, will ease tension in the vocal apparatus. Breath is the foundation on which voice is built. During inhalation as we breathe in diaphragm moves downward, and the ribcage expands. Ribcage expansion is the result of the contraction of the external intercostals muscles. In conjunction with this movement, the diaphragm contracts downward from curved to a flatter position, the lung volume increases when the diaphragm and the external intercostals muscles are activated, causing a pressure reduction in the lungs. As the breath goes in to the lungs, the lung pressure is equaled with the atmospheric pressure.
In the expiratory part of the breathing cycle, the reverse process occurs. The lung volume is decreased by the contraction of the internal intercostals and abdominal muscles and by the elastic recoil of lungs, diaphragm, abdominal viscera and the expanded ribs. The abdominal muscles push the viscera inward and upward against the diaphragm and the intercostals muscles pull the ribs together thereby squeezing the ribcage. In the-process of breathing, glottis or vocal folds acts as a valve, but to regulate the flow rather than to turn it on and off. It also helps to regulate the airflow by offering the appropriate resistance.
Different types of breathing
No man can survive in this world without breathing. Breathing is the key to best voice control. Breath is the life emery and voice is the external manifestation breath energy. If anything happens to the breathing or respiratory system, then voice will be terribly affected. There are many systems in the world cultures which speak about various traditions of breathing.
Generally it could be divided into:
- Everyday breathing (shallow breathing): Everyday breathing is the ordinary breathing for survival. During everyday breathing we are using only the peripheral capacity of our lungs. This means we are not using our full lung capacity in the breathing. This may cause the reduction oxygen intake into our body.
- Conscious breathing (deep or diaphragmatic breathing): This is also called yogic breathing in Indian system of voice production. Controlled deep breathing help the body to transform air we breathe into energy. The stream of energized air produced by properly executed and controlled deep breathing produces a current of inner energy which radiates throughout entire body and an be channeled to the body areas that need it the most. During conscious breathing we almost use the full capacity of our lungs. This is what we call pranayama in the yoga tradition in India. This is also called as diaphragmatic breathing because we take the help of diaphragm and abdominal muscles in deep breathing. As the diaphragm goes down lungs will be filled with maximum capacity. This will generate greater amount of lung power while singing or speaking. But the most important task is controlled way of releasing the air during expiration. This brings the need for breathing training.
To be continued….
