Voice 101 page 6
learning to sing better
Frontal abdominals continued...
2. Lie on the floor with your knees bent comfortably. Take in a deep breath and exhale slowly. To the beat of the music, raise your feet a few inches off the floor - you should feel your lower stomach tighten a little bit to do this. Kick your feet out, keeping them level with the floor. First kick your left foot out, then pull it back and kick your right foot out while breathing in for a count of 4 kicks with each leg (use the beat of the music to help you count). Then let your breath out slowly while kicking for a count of 4 kicks with each leg (use the beat of the music again). Relax your feet to the floor, knees bent, and take a few deep, relaxing breaths.
Level 1 - do 3 times
Level 2 - do 5 times
Level 3 - do 7 times
Level 4 - do 10 times
Middle back:
1. Lie flat on your tummy on the floor or other firm surface. Clasp your hands under your chin. Keeping your hips in place, lift your torso gently and pull forward. Breathe in for a count of eight. Concentrate on your middle back muscles - you should feel a slight stretch in the area that extends up your spine. Exhale and relax down.
Level 1 - do 3 times
Level 2 - do 5 times
Level 3 - do 7 times
Level 4 - do 10 times
THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF YOUR VOCAL CORDS
Your vocal cords are two pieces of tissue located in the area of your throat known as the larynx or voice box. In males it is easy to locate since the front part of it projects an obvious Adam's apple, a little ball or knot of cartilage located in the lower middle of the throat. Contrary to what most people think, females also have an Adam's apple (located in the same region of the throat), but it usually never develops as large as a male's.
Most of the time your vocal cords lie open and relaxed to allow you to breathe. When you begin to produce vocal sounds (talking or singing), the cords tighten, close, and vibrate as air passes between them from the lungs. Different vocal pitches or notes are produced by altering the tension of the cords. The sounds your vocal cords produce are affected by the length of your vocal cords. Disorders of the larynx will also affect the sounds your vocal cords produce.
continued on page 7
