From: "Lloyd W. Hanson"
Subject: Re: Just a reply to a few questions :)
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>



On Tue, 01 Feb 2000, Randy Buescher wrote:
>
>Something may be wrong with what you're being taught. The old squeeze the
>dime school of support is definitely out of favor these days (read Richard
>Miller for a good explanation as to why). It has very little evidence to
>back its claims that these actions fixate the diaphragm. Additionally, no
>effort is made to keep the sternum raised in this school, which will cause
>the air to be released at too fast a pace. The whole blowing bubbles thing
>gives me the impression that you all focus almost exclusively on air flow and
>don't spend enough time working on how the vocal folds adduct. If you're
>blasting too much air, the cords will "jam" up in response (by using
>extrinsic muscles to help resist that blast) with the result being fatigue
>and hoarseness.

Randy:

I agree completely with you about the "hold the buttocks and
abdominal muscles tight when you sing" being "out of favor" these
days. I would add that it is also anatomically counterproductive and
is an attempt to accomplish breath management via excessive muscle
antagonism which is unnecessary.

I also think you make a most valid point when you suggest that vocal
fold adduction is a primary concern for efficient and healthy
phonation. I have had students who have been careful taught to
overly compress the air with the result that most of the extrinsic
muscles have become habitually engaged to "assist" the voice and the
singer is in misery. Such misguided training is not easy to overcome
but it must be changed if correct phonation is to be achieved.

Thanks again for your contributions.



Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011