Pelvic Floor Engagement & Your Singing

[@mohammadhosseinzargaran6295]

you solved my problem lady. i have engaged about seven years. thank u so much to🙏🙏🙏😍😍

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

🙏

[@darksidessj25]

I didn't know you could do this! This is so amazing. I was like Holy! My pelvis is tilting. This is your whole body. It was so crazy

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

We are designed to sing effortlessly! By using the “emergency” systems in the body, a natural reinforcement of vocal fold approximation (closure) occurs. Pure magic!! 🙏❤️

[@gabegmusic8156]

Thanks.

[@klaudiaromae4511]

Hi. nice video :) I have a question... When you say "lift pelvic floor" you just mean to tighten the kegel muscle?

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

Yes, Claudini! Normally, once you engage the kegel, it is best to try and sustain through song or reset only if you have a longer breath pause. Otherwise, it can be difficult to coordinate phrases.

[@OrbisonTributeArtist]

Wow! What an awesome tip! So do you do this for every phrase? Only on long notes?

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

It depends. If you’re able to maintain steady, open, suspended ribs (try keeping your abdominals still throughout, to help), you may not need the pelvic floor lift all the time. But, in the beginning of working with these Bel Canto mechanics, if you find that stability of your rib cage wanting to collapse, adding the kegel can keep you more consistent in your sound quality…

[@colinbell-NI]

Ah I still can't feel anything in my larynx when I kegel. I'm doing the kegel correctly as I was taught them by a specialist pelvic physiotherapist.

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

Hi, Colin. The only thing you may really notice is that the air stops moving. With all of the bel canto mechanics, it is in the absence of tension that the magic appears!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Debra, Hope you don't mind my questions. Are you saying we need to engage the pelvic floor muscles to sing Bel Canto? Meaning the same Kegal exercise movement?

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

VIDEOHEREBOB don’t mind at all. Not necessarily. However, if you are used to taking in a large breath and are feeling inconsistent in that piece, adding the pelvic floor lift will help stabilize during the transition to more consistent rib cage suspension. Helpful?

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

@@DebraLynnBelCanto I see. Thank you.

[@colinbell-NI]

Thanks Debra! Could you type the name of the female singer you mentioned please? I actually am after a heavy vibrato and Puccini sound- so would this breathing style suit me?

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

Kristin Chenoweth. Seeing you in a bit, so we can chat about this. From my perspective, vibrato is just a function of how well the vocal folds are managing the air pressure from below. If the vibrato is even and controlled, then, of course there is nothing wrong with having it. If it becomes uneven, then it is more a function of the folds not controlling well, then of benefit to the sound. Most contemporary styles prefer less. Operatically, you can utilize bel canto mechanics for Puccini or Verdi. I think if you are actually a Wagnerian singer, meaning vocal fach demands that, then, you really need the pelvic floor understanding to protect your instrument.

[@jesperjee]

So people actually learn new ways of breathing to get RID of vibrato? I have tried for 40 years to GET a vibrato.

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

Actually yes, especially in certain types of group a cappella singing. Although a singer having vibrato as a stylistic tool for emotional delivery in solo work or certain styles/genres can be desirable, this can be problematic for tuning groups when synchronization is important. Fundamentally, everyone has vibrato because we are vibrational instruments. What can be interesting to determine is whether vibrato is natural or forced…🙏

[@elainehaugan9468]

Amazing!😳😀😮

[@DebraLynnBelCanto]

Truly!! ❤️