I just started reading Raise Your Voice, and english isn't my native language. So I'm having a hard time understanding some concepts because of the words being used on the book to describe the concepts.

I'm currently reading the breathing chapter of the book, and I'm having trouble with some words that I don't understand completely. I'm going to write a text from the book and add CAPS to the words that I'm having trouble with:

This brings me to my next point: As a focal point of breath support, in my opinion you should never focus on INWARDLY LOCKING your stomach muscles (like sucking in the stomach) or pushing your stomach out while singing. LOCKING the stomach muscles in either manner will tense the vocal cords, because these methods of adding pressure are related to grunting, which tightens the throat. You are setting your voice up for problems. Incorrectly tightening and applying too much pressure by trying to force excess air through a now tightly CLINCHED passageway only ensures possible vocal blowout which could ultimately lead to something as drastic as vocal nodules (little calluses on the cords from abuse). If you wish to physically feel an incorrect LOCKED stomach position, try grunting or mimic vomiting, Incorrectly LOCKING your stomach muscles will LOCK UP your vocal chords. Basic support is not aobout tightness or tension; it's about easily LOCKING DOWN or ZONING IN that downwards support. The remedy to downwards support has been to "PULL IN" the stomach muscles for support. Now, concerning the downward sensation; this type of support does consiste of a BASIC LOCKING ACTION. I catch mysel telling my private students quite frequently to "LOCK DOWN FOR SUPPORT". But they understand that when I say this that I am not implying any incorrect method of abdominal tightening or CLENCHING in the throat. Allow the stomach to CONTRACT at its own natural pace while maintaining that downward sensation.

So, I'd really appreciate if you could help me out with all these concepts. I've really tried to understand them asking questions on forums and other resources with no success. And I'm willing to put the necessary effort to improve my voice, but I can't get better if I don't understand these concepts first. Please help me out!

I hope you can help me out as you also studied this method and are probably already somewhat advanced in the subject (compared to me at least).

Thanks a lot in advance!

Alex, I am sure someone will answer on here. I literally don;t have time with my busy schedule. if you'd like to schedule an online lesson with me to understand the concepts you can do so at rocksource360.com. I know you are a teacher so please note, while most of the concepts in the book are general knowledge, I don't actually teach teachers to use my methods, but with that said, I don't mind teaching you so you understand the concepts;)

I'd appreciate some response because I can't continue studying it if I don't get the hang of this first.

Alex, in my opinion it helps you to find the support if do the sustained SSS exercise. You can put your hands on your chest and stomach or back and stomach and see what will happen. However, I'm not a teacher, I am vocal newbie who has been practising less than year. The more I learn the less I know.

your english seems great to me.