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How
Does the Breath Work During Singing?
| Curriculum Area: | Science |
Materials:
1. Copies of pictures of various people singing. (See the pictures of gospel singers and those from the exhibit.)
2. Diagram of the rib cage with labeled parts.
3. Diagram of muscles with labeled parts.
4. Unlabeled diagrams of muscles and rib cage.
5. Vocal classification chart.
| Activity: | Singing Lesson |
Procedure:
1. Let students identify and name the main parts of the body that are involved in singing -- lungs, vocal cords, mouth, and ears.
2. Let students explain the breathing process -- the process of exhaling and inhaling.
3. Once the teacher has presented the process, pass out the chart (labels visible). Allow students time to absorb this information.
4. Conduct voice lesson.
(a) Let students sing using scales (descending and ascending)--calling their attention to breathing and posture.
(b) Let students sing a series of octaves.
(c) Let students sing arpeggios.
(d) Vary the tempo and dynamics of all of the exercises.
5. Let students try some of the vocal elements in gospel singing -- slurs, passing tones, slides, melismas. (Be sure that students use their breath in order to maintain and project their voices.)
6. Pass out the unlabeled chart on respiration and muscles.
7. Let students label the appropriate parts involved in breathing.
8. Students may check their papers later to see if they have labeled parts correctly.
9. Let students describe the differences between speaking and singing.
Dianne Randolph