In a message dated 6/13/2001 9:38:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
johnlink@c... writes:
<< "ON the breath," rather than "WITH the breath."
I know what it means for a book to be on the table but just what is
the meaning of "on the breath"? >>
john,
i believe 'on the breath' (or 'sul fiato') refers to the sensation that
occurs when a singer is using no more airflow than is required for phonation
on a given pitch. if would also imply that the air in the lungs is more
than sufficient for phonation and is being either held in or, diverted (in
force) and is generally refered to as 'sub-glottal pressure'. 'with the
breath' (or 'col fiato') would then refer to airflow beyond what is necessary
for phonation. i would go on to say that 'breathiness' is different from
'with the breath' as it is caused by someone actively blowing air out to
either 'make the sound' or 'get the sound out' or some such misconception of
how to sing.
the goal of any singer wishing to make a clear, efficient sound should
be to sing 'on the breath'. in the case of someone like mel torme, whose
tone was purposely unclear, the sensation of making that sound is to be aware
of the airflow but to be in control of it. the line of distinction between
all of these is, obviously, somewhat blurred. did mel torme feel as if he
was singing 'on the breath' and letting it leak or, was he purposely flowing
the air out, as in a sigh? hard to say. to people who are used to singing
with some breathiness, singing 'on the breath' can feel to them as if they
will never be able to get any sound out or, it feels like something closing
in their throats.
of course, it is possible to take matters in the wrong direction beyond
'on the breath' as in the grunting one would do during the giving of birth or
when struggling with a difficult defecation. and, these images are often
used to get someone who has been breathy, headed in the right direction.
the key there, is to stop them before they ruin the furniture or have a
stroke.
mike
|
|  |
