In a message dated 8/3/2001 9:41:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time, ODivaTina@a... writes: ODivaTina@a... writes:
> ). I've heard > (or, more accurately, had to struggle to hear) many a mezzo who strictly > brings their head down for the lower passagio rather than mixing their > chest > up gradually. Their tones are the ones which are woofy, hooty, and wobbly > rather than firm and brilliant. > TinaO > Tina, It's funny you should mention this........because as a mezzo, this was my experience and what led me to start looking for a technique that taught, as you say, one voice, that can be applied to any style......thus, my foray into Speech Level Singing.
I trained "classically" for 15 years before SLS. At one point, I was working on "He shall feed his flock" and couldn't get through the phrases. More, I wasn't even attempting chest voice until below middle C. Worse, that was the first teacher I had ever trained with who actually told me that I could use my chest voice!!!!! Because I was so head predominant, the sound was big, but out of control, I had to push an extreme amount of air to get the volume etc, etc, etc. Now, I can pick up that score and sail through the phrases without any difficulty...........on the other hand, I can pick up an R&B tune and sing that right after the oratorio. THis is simply because my voice, at a foundational level, works the same, no matter what style I'm singing.
Best to you! Mary Beth Felker Seth Riggs Associate
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