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From:  John Alexander Blyth <BLYTHE@B...>
John Alexander Blyth <BLYTHE@B...>
Date:  Thu Dec 7, 2000  3:26 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] tongue problems


This is just my thought (as I learn more about singing my knowledge seems
to shrink): instead of paying direct attention to the position of things,
you could try exploring the different ways in which something like an [i]
could sound - for instance, saying it softly, loudly, with different
(fake!) accents, such as quasi-Hungarian. Just exploring the different ways
in which an [i] can sound. Definitely try it at a variety of pitch levels,
without going to extremes. Shade it to [I] (is in 'it' and back again, and
then to [e] (as in 'stair'). I'm somewhat convinced that a voice student
should explore the voice in this fashion. The sound you're looking for is
very likely one you make in your ordinary speech, and may turn out to be
easier than you think. john


At 07:44 PM 12/5/00 -0500, you wrote:
>I have been reading everyone's posts and appreciate everyone's input. First
>of all, I don't study singing in a formal program, I just take lessons
>privately, so I am not familiar at all with IPA other than having heard
>about it on Vocalist. But at least I know now that what I am talking about
>is an [i] sound!
>
>My voice teacher has been the person who tells me that I need to keep the
>back of my tongue down for this vowel. He has explained that the back part
>of the tongue rises slightly and touches the molars in the back for this
>vowel. However, my tongue rises up A LOT on [i], especially at the top of my
>range. I can see it myself when I sing in front of a mirror. I have been
>struggling with this for awhile and am wondering if there is some
>physiological reason why I cannot keep the back of my tongue down for this
>vowel. As I said before, this only happens on this one vowel. My teacher
>tells me this is an issue of tension and inadequate support.
>
>--Jennifer Fretwell
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John Blyth
Baritono robusto e lirico
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

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