The Engaging Performer

In this episode, Tara B introduces us to the onset of breath and how we can make sure that we are carrying out the process of inhalation and exhalation in a relaxed way. She also shares about the necessity of having breath that can sustain phrases in singing so that we won’t run out of energy while a song or word is still in progress. Tara gives practical exercises in this chapter to help each person practice the techniques of relaxed breathing and being able to support the breath for long periods. 

(0:48)—Breathing is both voluntary and involuntary.

(2:58)—We breathe from the diaphragm—true or false?

(5:12)—Breathing relaxed with a nose breath.

(9:35)—Quiet breathing exercise.

(14:52)—Our air after exhalation naturally wants to come back into our body.

(16:33)—To build stamina and sustain breath, here are several exercises to help

• Reading
• Hissing sound
• Singing half scales
• Staccato/legato
• Crescendo and decrescendo

(21:13)—Breath causes the vocal folds to adduct and abduct.

(23:30)—Breath/Singing is being used in physical therapy. 

The article found here talks about this wonderful new possibility:

https://news.usask.ca/articles/general/2011/singing-used-to-treat-copd.php

Victoria Vargas, mezzo-soprano Opera singer and vocal professor, has been following a musical journey for most of her life. Starting with musical theater in high school, she transitioned to opera in her undergrad years. Through the years of training, she also developed a love for analyzing the voice and helping people learn to sing. In this episode we look at what the pillars of balanced singing are all about, as well as touch on some issues that can arise with singers.

Tara B discusses the anatomy of our larynx, the connection of the head,  and our breath supporting apparatuses—the lungs, spine and the rib cage. She shows how understanding your body and making sure all the parts are in alignment help you have free and supported singing. She also gives tips to help you create amazing positioning of your whole body and head. 

(2:20) What is the larynx?

(4:55) Your voice box in neutral position.

(5:55) Our head alignment affects the larynx.

(6:30) How much our head weighs at rest and angled forward.

(9:00) Our head not being aligned causes change in our sound.

(12:10) Alignment of our mid body.

(16:00) How to check posture sitting or standing.

(18:47) Exercises to help you get into great alignment.

In this introduction episode, Tara B (Musical entrepreneur. Entertainer and Voice Instructor) shares pieces of her background and why she felt the desire to create this podcast. Her years as a teacher and an entertainer have given her insight into many of the struggles facing singers today and she wants to be a beacon of hope so people can sing their entire lifetime with a voice that shines at it’s best!