Dear Tina and Vocalisters:
When you describe heavy mechanism you are describing a phonational
phenomenon. When you describe something as having a light mechanism
you are describing another phonational phenomenon. Heavy and light
refer to the condition of the vocal folds and how they are used.
Secondary characteristics from these uses included degree of breath
pressure, use of the strapping musculature which controls the
position of larynx and breath management issues. All of these are
addressed in one way or another by every successful voice teacher.
The concept of "mix" is a phonational and a resonance issue.
Phonation is involved and affected. As one ascends, the heavy
mechanism must gradually change to a lighter mechanism. The vocal
folds must become thinner until the vocalis musculature becomes
almost inert and the vocal tendon carries the longitudinal tension
created by the stretching of the vocal folds through the contraction
of the cricothyroid muscle. Although the standing waves created by a
balanced resonance does have a loading effect on the vocal folds, the
changes noted above are primarily phonational.
Resonance has its effect on "mix" by giving the singer control over
the which partials are allowed to be heard and how strong these
partials are in their relation to each other. Physically it is not
possible to mix a chest voice with a head voice because the vocal
folds cannot do both of these functions at the same time. But the
folds can migrate in their action between chest (heavy) and head
(light) and these gradual changes are strongly influenced by
configuration of the vocal tract (resonance).
Choices about how high one should carry the heavy mechanism or how
low one should bring down the light mechanism are merely choices of
which phonational configuration one wishes to use. Some music
demands on configuration, some music demands another. However, any
voice that consistently carries the heavy mechanism higher that is
natural for that voice will eventually do substantial harm to the
voice through excessive stress on the vocal folds. Any voice that
consistently carries the light mechanism down too low for that voice
will develop a weakened vocal condition that, through habit, can
become most difficult to correct.
The concept of "mix" is necessary but the understanding of what
actually happens physically while utilizing "mix" is not often given
necessary consideration.
--
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Emeritus
Director of Opera-Theatre, 1987-1997
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
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