CEP 818 Module 6 Modeling

Diaphragmatic Breathing: A Model of the Human Lungs

For this weeks module in CEP 818 we read about dimensional thinking and modeling. Modeling can take many forms but generally modeling is a higher level thinking skill that allows us to envision a concept in a new way. Robert and Michelle Root-Bernstein suggest that modeling requires imagining skills along with knowledge for analogizing and abstracting information (1999, p. 213). Our objective this week was to create a model of our topic and represent it in some way. I choose to focus on the movement of breathing because diaphragmatic breathing is a very important component to singing. This human process is a basic function of life, yet we never truly get to see the magic of how it actually works. In order to support a young singers understanding of the breathing process I made a model of the human lungs. As a choir teacher I spend a significant amount of time talking about the singers breath. So what does it look like? A singer’s breath should consist of diaphragmatic breathing. The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle located at the bottom part of the rib cage that aids in the breathing process. When we inhale a breath of air the diaphragm contracts and lowers to the bottom part of the rib cavity, leaving room for our lungs to expand down and outward with air. Then when we exhale the diaphragm expands to help the lungs expel the air. (Note: If we do not let the muscle relax, as many of us fall prey to because we like to hold our guts in, we do not get a deep enough breath).

This is a fun science project that young students can participate in at home or in the classroom. All you need are the following supplies:

• An empty 2 Liter Plastic Bottle or Glass Jar (with the bottom cut off)
• A Plastic Bag or Large Balloon
• Duck Tape
• Two Smaller Balloons
• Two Straws
• Scissors
• Modeling Clay (or Play Dough)

Directions:

Cut the end of the 2 Liter Plastic Bottle off. Stretch the end of a balloon or plastic bag over the opening so you cover it completely. Secure it with duck tape for an airtight seal. Next slide two straws inside the openings of two balloons. Secure these with duck tape. It’s really important that you create an airtight seal in order for the air pressure in the model to work correctly. Next, feed the “balloon straws” through the opening at the top of the 2 Liter Plastic Bottle and secure it with modeling clay at the top. Again, make sure there is an airtight seal at the top. Now attempt to pull down on the bottom balloon (diaphragm) and watch the “balloon straws” (lungs) expand with air!

This model works well because the bottom balloon is acting like the diaphragm. When the diaphragm lowers to the bottom of the rib cavity it makes space for our lungs to inflate with air. When we exhale the diaphragm rises to its upward position helping the lungs expel the air. This model should help students understand why a low deep breath is better for singing versus a shallow breath because it allows for such expansion. Air is our fuel for singing just as gas is fuel for a car to drive. Without enough air and air pressure we cannot support the sounds we want to make with our voices. Therefore, understanding how our bodies’ breath and the steps we can take to get fuller and deeper breaths should help improve our singing ability. In the end, singers like my students, will be able to improve their breath control while singing longer and fuller phrases all because they learned how to diaphragmatically breathe correctly.

References

Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (1999). Sparks of genius: The Thirteen Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People (First Mariner Books ed.). Houghton Mifflin.