Voice production
Through understanding the process of voice production techniques, I am able to connect with the exercises that are involved in learning these techniques. The process of voice production is actually quite simple and goes as follows:
When humans breathe normally, they do something called clavicular breathing (shallow breathing). Intercostal diaphragmatic breathing is a different way of breathing which you can learn by carrying out regular practice.
Intercostal diaphragmatic breathing exercise – when we inhale normally, the lungs fill with air and the ribs don’t expand. However, when we carry out the intercostal diaphragmatic breathing exercise, the lungs are filled deeper with air and the ribs expand. We call this rib swinging. The diaphragm, which causes us to breathe, pulls down as we inhale and then pushes up as we exhale. The diaphragm can be likened to a mushroom as it has a domed top and a stalk underneath. Essentially the diaphragm contracts and releases with inhalation and exhalation.
As the air passes up from the lungs through trachea, it enters the larynx (voice box or vocal folds/cords) where the timbre i.e. tone of the voice is shaped. When the vocal cords are loose, it creates a low sound and when the vocal cords are tight, this produces a high sound. It then passes into the mouth where the sound is shaped. The sound is shaped in the mouth by the articulators which are the tongue, teeth, lips, hard and soft palate. The sound is shaped by one of the articulators which stops the sound. For example, when we produce a ‘t’ sound, the tongue and the hard palate are used because the tongue touches the hard palate to make the sound by stopping it. Resonators are also important during voice production. These make sure that the sound is being carried. Examples of resonators are the cheek bones, nasal cavity, forehead and chest.
Here are a few diagram to show how the voice is created:
I found these images on 'The Lions Voice Clinic' website. Here is a link to the website:
http://www.lionsvoiceclinic.umn.edu/page2.htm
Intercostal diaphragmatic breathing exercises can be used by actors to improve their lung capacity and to strengthen muscles such as the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. If this exercise is carried out effectively by actors then it can increase their lung capacity which can then help them with so many different aspects of their career such as holding on long notes and tackling challenging pieces of script such as phrases of Shakespeare written in iambic pentameter. I have personally benefited from learning intercostal diaphragmatic breathing as when I came to college I was a very unconfident singer and learning this technique has enabled me to gain a lot more control over my singing voice. Because I have been able to sing with more power, my intonation has definitely improved. Last year my diction was commented on by a sound engineer who was recording me singing. I had worked on ends of words and ensuring that I delivered the lyrics with clarity.
Here are a few diagram to show how the voice is created:
http://www.lionsvoiceclinic.umn.edu/page2.htm
Intercostal diaphragmatic breathing exercises can be used by actors to improve their lung capacity and to strengthen muscles such as the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. If this exercise is carried out effectively by actors then it can increase their lung capacity which can then help them with so many different aspects of their career such as holding on long notes and tackling challenging pieces of script such as phrases of Shakespeare written in iambic pentameter. I have personally benefited from learning intercostal diaphragmatic breathing as when I came to college I was a very unconfident singer and learning this technique has enabled me to gain a lot more control over my singing voice. Because I have been able to sing with more power, my intonation has definitely improved. Last year my diction was commented on by a sound engineer who was recording me singing. I had worked on ends of words and ensuring that I delivered the lyrics with clarity.
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