Self-analysis is a basic component of artistic development. For the singer, self-analysis is equally important, but the steps for improvement may be less visible. As Richard Alderson has noted, a singer "hears his voice from the inside through the bony structure of the head rather than outside through the eardrum. We as singers are doomed to a life of hearing only a muffled distortion of our voices as we sing." In addition, singers do not have direct control over certain aspects of the phonation process. For example, despite the oft-repeated advice to "sing from the diaphragm," a singer cannot actually feel or consciously manipulate the actions of this important muscle. Singers can, however, control their breath by practicing techniques that focus on posture and the muscle groups associated with the workings of the diaphragm. Just like a painter uses self-analysis to manipulate the brushstrokes that define the larger canvas, the developing singer learns to make subtle physical adjustments that significantly affect the quality of the voice. (Contains 12 resources and 4 notes.)