E. Perryman 9.5.2020
#akintsucrooner
This past month, I taught a couple pick up voice lessons to a parent of a student of whom I’ve worked with for the past 3 years at school. Her child has continuously demonstrated an intuitive musical sense and is able to quickly implement different approaches. Well, now I know why. Mom has this ability X 10. What a great voice. So exciting. It was so fun to prescribe solutions to various challenges and watch her adapt and adjust.
When I have the first few lessons with a new student, it’s an intriguing unpacking. There is the small percentage of singers who just do it right. Most of us have to hone, adjust, strengthen, and routine to make it sound “easy.”
(Vocal pedagogy talk is about to ensue in case you want to bid farewell)
The investigation aspect of teaching voice comes down to some of these singing elements.
VOWELS: What sounds (vowels in particular) work most efficiently? Everyone has their own unique aural response to this inquiry. Me? (i)
BREATH MOVEMENT
How much air is needed for that range and phrase? What direction of air most accommodates your individual phonation? (size/height/depth of voice?) Me? Ongoing breath flow work.
CONSONANT/APPROACH
Which consonant or intervalic approach will assist the most authentic release of sound?
Me? Unvoiced consonants like (f) on wide intervals.
INHIBITORS
What part of the body is inhibiting freedom in the sound and what is the singer protecting or insecure about?
Me? Upper body holding/arms-torso-stomach
ASSIMILATION
How can you most effectively combine the answers to 1-4 to implement an even vocal production? Me? Combine vowels on arpeggios using f and i as a locator.
DAILY SINGING LOT
And at the end of the day or shall I say the beginning of the day, we wake up with differing easeful singing degrees. Unless it’s a 50% singing day and one should just shut up, vocal technique will assist and solidify the consistency of your sound. Don’t forget to appreciate and care for the few days a year that your voice feels like a brand new Mercedes.
akintsucrooner 