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You are here: Home / Anatomy / 9 Things Singers Need to Know About Their Bodies

9 Things Singers Need to Know About Their Bodies

May 4, 2015 by Peter Jacobson 75 Comments

An image showing the top of the lungs in relation to the collarbone.

 1.) Your whole body is your instrument, not just your vocal mechanism.

Your voice is part of a total system which includes your mind and your entire body. Any method or technique of singing that doesn’t address the total mind–body–voice system has limited applications to developing one’s full potential as a singer.

To become a better singer, shift your emphasis from trying to sing well, to using your entire mind-body-voice Self well. Once you discover your innate natural coordination, you will notice a dramatic improvement in all that you do.

 2.) The poise of the head on the spine directly affects the quality of sound.

The larynx hangs from the hyoid bone which is slung from the mastoid processes on the skull. If the head is pulled down into the spine, the neck and throat muscles will be tense and the torso will become rigid. Excess tension kills vibrations and will produce a sound that is tight and strained.

Allow the head to move subtly up off the spine which lets the vocal mechanism hang freely and the breathing and support muscles of the torso work effortlessly.

 3.) Pain and discomfort is caused by chronic tightening and shortening of muscles.

Muscles have only one function–to pull or contract. If a muscle remains in a state of contraction and is not allowed to release into its full resting length it will become chronically tense and inflamed leading to pain and discomfort.

By learning how to access the deep, support muscles in your body, you can relieve pain and tension by allowing chronically tight superficial muscles to release into greater length and flexibility.

4.) The more you try to control your breathing, the less control you have over it.

Breathing is automatic, reflexive function that regulates itself. By deliberately “taking” a breath we interfere with this natural function and create undue tension causing the breath to work against us.

Investigate the habits that are getting in the way of your natural breathing and learn how to undo those habits. Soon natural breathing will become a powerful ally in your singing and you will discover that you can easily “allow” for a natural, deep full breath that will give you enough fuel for even the longest of phrases.

5.) Gasping for breath indicates tension in the throat and false vocal folds.

The habit of creating a gasping sound on inhalation is an almost universal habit among voice users. Listen to almost any professional recording and you’ll most likely hear the singer make an audible sound on the inhalation. This is a sign of undue tension. Over time this habit will cause stiffness and rigidity leading to a dramatic decrease in vocal function.

Avoid this harmful habit of gasping for breath by allowing the musculature of the neck and torso to release into greater length and width.

6.) We have 24 ribs (12 on each side) and they are designed for movement.

Our ribs are spring loaded and designed for movement. They are attached to the spine via moveable joints. The ribs naturally rise and fall like pail handles if the rest of the torso is not held rigid, as is common in many singers. When we speak the ribs naturally fall at a faster rate than when we sing.

Good ‘support’ in singing relies on not allowing the rib cage to collapse during exhalation.

7.) The lungs are in the upper torso and the diaphragm sits right below them.

The lungs go as high as the collarbone and down to about the fifth rib. There is more lung tissue in the back than the front and the two-lobed left lung is slightly smaller than the right lung, which has three lobes, to accommodate the heart. Right beneath the lungs sits the diaphragm.

Many singing teachers ask their students to imagine breathing deep into their belly. This can be useful but singers should not be fooled about where the air is actually going when they breathe. It’s much higher than you think!

8.) It is impossible to directly control the diaphragm.

The diaphragm has no proprioceptive nerve endings. Additionally, the diaphragm is primarily a muscle of inspiration and consequently plays very little role in exhalation rendering the idea of ‘diaphragmatic support’ to be without basis in scientific fact.

It is impossible to exert any direct control over diaphragmatic movement except through the natural act of reflexive breathing and the the controlled exhalation of singing.

9.) By cooperating with your design you can find freedom and ease in your singing.

If you are aware, you’re halfway there! Heightening self-awareness in combination with learning about the body’s natural design can lead to dramatic improvements in vocal production and performance.

Getting clear on the architecture of the total mind-body-voice mechanism can eliminate tension, free your body and liberate your voice.


Want to learn more about your amazing human design?

Read “9 MORE Things Singers Need to Know About their Bodies“


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Filed Under: Anatomy, Breathing Tagged With: Anatomy, Breathing

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Comments

  1. Elisabeth Franklin says

    February 27, 2016 at 8:21 AM

    Excellent!! Every last point.

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      February 27, 2016 at 9:49 AM

      Thanks Elisabeth! I’m glad you liked the article. 🙂

      Reply
    • Aliki Dourmazer says

      February 29, 2016 at 3:39 AM

      I am a performer and voice teacher from Greece, having studied and researched voice and movement in England. Just finished my weekend workshop ‘ Voice is the Body’ and your article totally reflects my teachings in a carefully articulated way. I will share this with my students. Thank you!!

      Reply
    • Eva Giannopoulou says

      November 13, 2017 at 1:59 PM

      It reminds me exactly the video ” The art of the breathing” by the great Alexander Technik Teacher Jessica Wolf.
      It’s great that you wrote all the important information for the singers down.

      Reply
      • Peter Jacobson says

        January 2, 2018 at 1:35 AM

        Hi Eva – yes, Jessica is one of my greatest influences. She’s wonderful!

        Reply
  2. Sita Milchev says

    February 27, 2016 at 4:51 PM

    I am a singer since I was 15…I’m now 72. I only use my stomach muscle to ‘support’ and it still works. Your suggestions are right on the money!
    Thank you. I’m going to pass this on to the choir.

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      February 27, 2016 at 5:59 PM

      Hi Sita – thanks for sharing with your choir!

      Reply
  3. Megan Myers says

    February 27, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Loved this article. Wonderful tips and things to think about.

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      February 28, 2016 at 3:39 PM

      Thanks Megan!

      Reply
  4. Valerie Wycoff says

    February 27, 2016 at 9:13 PM

    You raise so many good points – Yes! Your whole body sings. I’d like to add that the diaphragm action can be affected by other than inhaling and exhaling. Eg – as in “see-saw breathing” changing the shape of the rib cage and belly while holding breath, or while exhaling. There are many Feldenkrais Method lessons which use this pattern of movement as an aid to moving (and breathing) more easily.

    Reply
  5. Lauren Fisher says

    February 27, 2016 at 10:42 PM

    Spot on!

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      February 28, 2016 at 3:38 PM

      Thanks Lauren!

      Reply
  6. Philomena Breslin says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:55 AM

    Excellent.

    Reply
  7. Debbie Mielke says

    February 28, 2016 at 1:36 PM

    I work with young singers frequently …this will be shared with them! Thanks

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      February 28, 2016 at 3:39 PM

      Thanks for sharing with your singers Debbie!

      Reply
    • Hi Bye says

      January 3, 2018 at 2:40 PM

      What GREAT teacher you are!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
  8. Carla says

    February 28, 2016 at 3:19 PM

    Excellent article! I am a singing teacher and I’ll definitely use this for my students. Thanks!!

    Reply
  9. Prof. Carlos Montané (Jacobs School of Music), Indiana Univ. says

    February 29, 2016 at 12:04 AM

    I made my professional debut in 1961 and performed in world opera stages for 35 years. I have been teaching at I.U. for the last 30 years -and still active as a teacher and performer-. Last month sang a full recital, at age 78. I’m very grateful you have presented everything 100% correct. Not only I will send it to my students, but I will printed and keep copies in my studio at Indiana University. Again, thank you very much.

    Carlos Montané

    Reply
  10. Roy Rashbrook says

    February 29, 2016 at 3:06 AM

    A beautifully presented and clear dismantling of many myths surrounding basic vocal technique. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Diana McCullough says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:53 AM

    I’m in good collegial company! Ditto to all—–

    Reply
  12. Francese Brooks says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:49 PM

    As a long time singer and a recently graduated massage therapist, this article provides the perfect nexus between these two disciplines. Thanks so much for sharing the knowledge. I’ll be paying it forward, not only with the singers with whom I’ll be partnering from here on out, but also with those who’ll be on my massage table in the near future. Thanks again

    Reply
  13. Priti Coles says

    March 1, 2016 at 4:10 AM

    Great stuff very clearly and simply explained! Thanks.

    Reply
  14. Irma Pingol says

    March 2, 2016 at 9:43 PM

    So nice!

    Reply
  15. Gennaro Sica says

    March 7, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Congratulations on the TVF article which I appreciated very much.
    It demonstrates, once again, that the Old Italian School of Singing’s empirical principles and precepts were indeed correct.
    To this I’d add what Beniamino Gigli said at a London conference in 1946: “As soon as I begin to sing I forget all about the diaphragm and the ribs, all about the breathing machinery and its action and sing on the air accumulated right underneath the larynx” concluding “think more and do less”. Gennaro Sica Tenor and Singing Teacher. Firenze http://www.arteaudizione.com

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      March 10, 2016 at 2:07 PM

      Thank you Gennaro! Love that quote from Gigli. Cheers!

      Reply
  16. Adi says

    March 8, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    That makes so much sense even though I’m not a singer but since everything is connected body-mind-spirit, it totally resonates with me.

    Reply
  17. Mariam says

    March 9, 2016 at 4:10 AM

    Concise & Precise!

    Reply
    • peter jacobson says

      March 10, 2016 at 2:07 PM

      Thanks Mariam!

      Reply
  18. Sue says

    April 17, 2016 at 5:34 PM

    I’ve learn something here that we allow me to be a better singer .. Ty

    Reply
  19. Ed Taylor says

    May 27, 2016 at 9:21 PM

    Singers seem to think that the sounds that we make come from the throat. Most don’t knowwhat it takes to be a good singer. Luciano Pavarotti one of the top tenors of our time said that early in his career I think it was Joan Sutherland had him place his hand on her stomach and that helped him understand the relationship between breathing and the reproduction of sound.

    Reply
  20. Helen Aun says

    May 29, 2016 at 2:03 PM

    Nice one, Peter! Good article!

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      May 30, 2016 at 2:40 PM

      Thanks Helen!

      Reply
  21. Darshana Zaveri says

    May 31, 2016 at 5:55 PM

    I am a music teacher and have been teaching and performing for many years. I completely agree with every word written. Will share with my students. Thanks!

    Reply
  22. Dr. Betty Devine says

    March 10, 2017 at 11:47 AM

    This understanding of WHICH parts of our body control the breath and learning how to use those parts, has given me GREATLY increased stamina, vocal strength, health and athleticism. At 79 years old, I have more athleticism, endurance, health and ability than I have ever had. I did not retire from choral work until this year. I Have been so BLESSED to stand in front of singers all these years!
    “Getting old is not for sissies” as the saying goes!! Taking care of our bodies and minds insures a LONG AND JOYFUL life!
    Dr. Betty Devine

    Reply
  23. Stewart Harding says

    March 19, 2017 at 6:32 PM

    Great blog my friend 🙂

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      March 23, 2017 at 4:20 PM

      Thank you Stewart!

      Reply
  24. Kim Rhindress says

    March 20, 2017 at 9:04 PM

    Thank you for this wonderfully concise piece of valuable information! I find that breath is very much tied to the posture and overall life force of a student.

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      March 23, 2017 at 4:20 PM

      You’re welcome Kim! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Tedirenio Hipol says

    March 30, 2017 at 6:37 AM

    Mr. Peter Jacobson,
    Thank you for sharing your article. It is concise with all points well presented. It certainly opens new awareness to singing and vocal treatment. I will share your post to others.
    Ty, Ted Hipol

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      April 7, 2017 at 11:34 AM

      Thanks Ted!

      Reply
  26. diane says

    April 21, 2017 at 1:37 PM

    these are spectacular…especially having the head float off the spinal column. every once in awhile i hear my natural voice when i sing and it’s so much easier and prettier than my “study” voice. thanks for this!

    Reply
  27. Michael says

    May 7, 2017 at 4:08 PM

    Wonderful article, I agree with every word.

    Reply
  28. Susie Scott says

    May 28, 2017 at 11:02 PM

    Lauren Fisher sent on Feb 27, 2016 “Spot on!”, Mariam sent on March 2, 2016 “Concise & Precise.” Highly Agree with both, appreciated All comments. Many Tnx!

    Reply
  29. Richard Goffin-Lecar says

    July 13, 2017 at 8:29 AM

    I would say that much of this applies to woodwind players too. Good advice!

    Reply
  30. Colleen Philp says

    August 20, 2017 at 4:19 AM

    Great to see some correct teaching! Thank you. So many charlatans out there. My book on “A Practical Guide to the Bel Canto Technique” is being edited at present and hope to publish through UKZN Press. I was taught in the line of Manuel Garcia; Mathilda Marchesi; Mario Basiola and Joyce Barker. Have sung professionally for 30 years and still teaching. Joyce always said “Drop and Fill” when breathing in. i.e. Relax the stomach and allow the breath to feel as if it is filling you up from the root muscle upwards which allows one to sing freely with the whole mind, soul and body.

    Reply
  31. Nomi Teplow says

    August 22, 2017 at 3:07 AM

    Excellent article. I am a singer, voice teacher and choral conductor in Israel. I am a college lecturer and direct a center for choral singing. You have expressed precisely what I teach. Unfortunately, not enough teachers are aware of the whole picture and end up limiting voices and promiting stress rather than opening them up to achieve their full potential. I will share this with my English-speaking students.

    Reply
    • Nomi Teplow says

      August 22, 2017 at 3:08 AM

      Promoting

      Reply
  32. Gerrit says

    October 25, 2017 at 9:38 AM

    Thank you for sharing this valuable information.

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      October 25, 2017 at 10:06 AM

      You’re welcome Gerrit!

      Reply
  33. Sue E Hinshaw says

    October 26, 2017 at 12:11 PM

    Excellent article. I would add “never suck in the air.” Just expanding the midriff drops the diaphragm which expands the lungs, and air simply falls into the lungs.

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      October 27, 2017 at 3:09 PM

      Thanks Sue!

      Reply
  34. Anna Christofaro says

    October 26, 2017 at 2:35 PM

    Fantastic article! And great reminders of things to keep in mind for in my singing! Thank you, Peter!

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      October 27, 2017 at 3:09 PM

      Thanks Anna! Hope you’re doing well. 🙂

      Reply
  35. Robin McCarty says

    November 8, 2017 at 11:11 PM

    Yes, Yes, and YES!!! Bravo, Peter! ???

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:32 AM

      Thank you Robin!

      Reply
  36. Ian Belsey says

    November 9, 2017 at 5:23 AM

    As someone who’s been a professional singer since I was eight years old, first in pop then opera and music theatre, it was obvious to me that my body was locking after itself. Judge of my surprise when my singing teacher at the Royal College of Music with his mumbo jumbo methods caused my voice to stop working within three months having had nothing wrong for sixteen years. I had a haemorrhage of my right vocal fold and nine months of intermittent silence. Thankfully. A new teacher put me back on track and there’s been no problem since. During my enforced time off, I did a lot of study and realised most vocal teacher are no more than coaches, and most know nothing about the vocal process. Having a successful singing teaching practise in London for the last thirty years I have always upheld everything you suggest in your article. As Dame Nellie Melba said in her treatise nor singing “Good singing is easy singing, difficult singing is bad. Eh that sounds simple, it’s because it is. Let your body do the work in the way is was designed to do so.” Bravo for this article!

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:32 AM

      Thank you Ian! I honor and respect your singing journey! 🙂

      Reply
  37. Ian Belsey says

    November 9, 2017 at 5:25 AM

    As someone who’s been a professional singer since I was eight years old, first in pop then opera and music theatre, it was obvious to me that my body was looking after itself. Judge of my surprise when my singing teacher at the Royal College of Music with his mumbo jumbo methods caused my voice to stop working within three months having had nothing wrong for sixteen years. I had a haemorrhage of my right vocal fold and nine months of intermittent silence. Thankfully, a new teacher put me back on track and there’s been no problem since. During my enforced time off, I did a lot of study and realised most vocal teacher are no more than coaches, and most know nothing about the vocal process. Having a successful singing teaching practise in London for the last thirty years I have always upheld everything you suggest in your article. As Dame Nellie Melba said in her treatise nor singing “Good singing is easy singing, difficult singing is bad. Eh that sounds simple, it’s because it is. Let your body do the work in the way is was designed to do so.” Bravo for this article!

    Reply
  38. Daniel Bridston says

    November 10, 2017 at 9:35 AM

    Are you a practitioner of either the Alexander Technique or Carl Stough’s breathing coordination?

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:33 AM

      Hi Daniel, yes I’m an Alexander teacher and know enough about Stough’s breathing coordination to be dangerous. Ha! How about you?

      Reply
  39. Colleen Davis says

    November 10, 2017 at 12:06 PM

    This is a lovely article. The language “takes me back” to wonderful Alexander Technique sessions that were so helpful to me in my development as a singer and performer. I will share this with my vocal pedagogy class.

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:34 AM

      Hi Colleen – glad this article took you back to nice time in your life! Thank you for sharing the article with your vocal ped students. Cheers! 🙂

      Reply
  40. Jennifer Tuck says

    November 10, 2017 at 1:01 PM

    This is great! I will be sharing it with my voice students!

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:34 AM

      Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
  41. Jean Leyland says

    November 14, 2017 at 8:31 AM

    I have sung all my life, & agree with the article & comments. Also as i started out as a ballet dancer, i think correct posture helps with your body being in the right “place” and makes you a better singer. Singing helps reduce stress & lowers your pulse rate too, as i found after an op, lying in the bed quietly singing. Thanks

    Reply
  42. Francisca Fernandez says

    November 23, 2017 at 11:42 PM

    As a flutist, I think this material is amazing
    thank you soooo much!

    is there a way to receive post alerts through email?

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:35 AM

      Hi Francisca, you’re welcome! You can sign for our mailing list here: https://baltimoreat.lpages.co/daily-email-tips/

      Reply
  43. CarrMad says

    December 10, 2017 at 4:24 PM

    Hello, I’m a vocal coach in France and I want to thank you for your article, I explain almost all this items during my lessons 😉
    I took the freedom to translate it in french, cause some of my followers doesn’t speak in english, so I can share your article, and the translatio 🙂

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:36 AM

      Thank you for translating this into French! 🙂

      Reply
  44. Granny says

    December 27, 2017 at 6:07 PM

    After a near death experience due to a very large ‘saddle clot’ that caused bilateral pulmonary trauma, I found I couldn’t sing. Over time my general condition improved, but not my voice. It seems I have to rethink the process of singing!
    Thank you for a very interesting article.

    Reply
  45. Winifred Faix Brown says

    January 2, 2018 at 1:29 AM

    Thank you! This is concise and correct. My training was by Europeans, although I am American. I sang in major international houses for decades, and can still perform at 67. These are the principles of true Bel Canto singing. Common sense and basic physics. Creating a beauty that carries emotion and text to the public, and that yields stamina, range, color, flexibility, power , and longevity. Having “judged,” and given literally hundreds of master classes abroad and taught in Europe, NYC and now Chicago, through Lyric Opera …I mourn the loss of these basic truths in the American teaching structure. I do mostly remedial work with professionals who have been diligently practicing
    Misguided training and are paying the price for their faith in a busted
    And technically misinformed American training program. “Lock and squeeze”…??
    Thank you for sharing your clear and ( sadly) controversial article!
    I am delighted to share.

    Reply
    • Peter Jacobson says

      January 2, 2018 at 1:37 AM

      You’re welcome Winifred! I respect and honor your vast experience. Best wishes and Happy New Year! 🙂

      Reply
  46. Pilar Gomez says

    January 3, 2018 at 11:54 PM

    Great article!
    Thank you, Peter!

    Reply
  47. Stacystone says

    May 11, 2018 at 7:18 AM

    It is actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  48. Ben Singer says

    July 30, 2018 at 12:32 PM

    Thank you for the article. It is so very true that we do not spend enough time learning how our body functions. We do, after all, only get one and we use it for everything. Usually I think of applying the knowledge directly for health purposes but clearly it has the application in the musical sense as well. Not only for singing but for playing instruments also. Posture and breath support are kind of a big deal.

    Reply

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