Dynamics of the Singing Voice

by Dayme, Meribeth Bunch

• ISBN13: 9783211887288
• ISBN10: 3211887288
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-05-04
• Publisher: SPRINGER - VERLAG

Summary

During the past decades, "Dynamics of the singing voice" has successfully been established as a reference text for teachers of singing, singers, choral conductors and organists, speech and voice therapists, laryngologists and other health professionals, psychologists and those in linguistics. It discusses the physiological, psychological, musical and emotional aspects of the voice, particularly as they relate to singing but also to speaking. The book provides a greater understanding of how the voice works and the many factors involved in singing as well as an objective discussion of singing without reference to specific techniques. In this fifth edition, the author has now updated and rearranged the content. Furthermore she has added a new chapter on vocal pedagogic aspects in order to meet the requirements of the art of singing of the 21st century. Thus this new book provides the reader with the established concepts in combination with the latest knowledge about modern approaches to the singing voice.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Core singing	p. 1
Key issues in singing today	p. 3
The approach to teaching and learning	p. 3
The language of the mind	p. 4
Developing talent	p. 5
Learning to trust the voice	p. 6
Awareness and responsibility	p. 6
The human energy field and singing	p. 8
Defining the human energy field	p. 8
Components of the human energy field	p. 9
Invisible aspects of the energy field	p. 10
Mental aspects	p. 10
Emotions	p. 11
Psychological influences	p. 13
Psychic aspects	p. 13
Spiritual aspects	p. 14
Physical aspects	p. 14
Singers as masters of their own energy fields	p. 15
Take responsibility for learning	p. 15
Take responsibility for thoughts and language	p. 15
Pay mindful attention to each practice and lesson	p. 15
Treat all colleagues, peers and teachers with respect	p. 16
Be centered and aware	p. 16
Vocal pedagogy in the 21st Century	p. 17
Working with the Whole student	p. 18
Right - left brain balance in teaching and learning	p. 18
Co-responsibility in learning and the establishment of trust	p. 20
Use of language that enriches teaching and learning	p. 21
Self-development as the core of teaching and learning	p. 22
The responsibility of the teacher	p. 23
Continue to be a lifelong student	p. 23
Learn to coach the mental aspects of performance	p. 24
Create a positive studio atmosphere for learning and performing by having a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual safe haven for every student	p. 24
Be grateful for each student	p. 25
Be professional about the business of singing	p. 25
The responsibility of the student	p. 27
Objectivity	p. 27
Extra-curricula development complementary to singing	p. 27
Elimination of mind chatter and excessive self-criticism	p. 28
Meaningful practice and rehearsal	p. 28
Find ways to monitor progress	p. 29
Have the courage to take performance risks	p. 29
Be grateful for your talent	p. 29
The future of vocal pedagogy	p. 29
What every singer needs to know: Co-ordination, spontaneity and Artistry	p. 31
Co-ordination	p. 32
Spontaneity	p. 33
Artistry	p. 37
Love of singing	p. 37
Dedication to the work of singing	p. 37
Individuality	p. 37
Emotional involvement	p. 38
Personality and magnetism	p. 38
Performance that transcends the ordinary	p. 39
On becoming a dynamic singer	p. 39
The role and function of the voice: an overview	p. 43
Communication	p. 43
Psychological factors	p. 45
Psychological factors	p. 46
Acoustic and environmental factors	p. 47
Psychological factors of communication	p. 48
Physiological factors	p. 50
Acoustic factors	p. 52
Perception	p. 53
Posture and breathing in singing	p. 56
Posture and physical alignment	p. 56
Respiration	p. 63
Quiet respiration	p. 64
Inspiration	p. 65
The diaphragm	p. 68
The intercostal muscles	p. 71
Other muscles of inspiration	p. 77
Expiration	p. 79
The abdominal muscles	p. 79
Other muscles of expiration	p. 84
Subglottic pressure	p. 84
Summary: breathing for singing	p. 86
Phonation	p. 89
The anatomy of the vibratory mechanism	p. 90
The function of the vocal folds in singing	p. 102
The onset of sound	p. 103
Neurological factors of phonation	p. 105
Physiological factors of phonation	p. 105
Pitch	p. 106
Range	p. 107
Vibrato	p. 108
Registers	p. 109
Subglottic pressure and vocal intensity	p. 113
Summary	p. 114
Resonation and vocal quality	p. 116
The anatomy and physiology of the pharynx	p. 119
The constrictors	p. 121
the relatively slender longitudinal muscles which shorten the length of the pharynx	p. 121
The muscles of the soft palate	p. 123
A summary of the acoustics of the vocal tract	p. 126
Vowel formation	p. 130
Vocal quality	p. 136
Factors which affect vocal quality	p. 136
Overly active facial muscles	p. 136
The position and movement of the lower jaw	p. 137
Rigidity of the tongue	p. 138
Tension in the neck	p. 138
Tension in the chest	p. 138
Emotional tension	p. 138
Focus and intensity	p. 139
Some misconceptions regarding resonance	p. 142
Conclusion	p. 144
Articulation	p. 145
Vowels and consonants: a summary	p. 145
Vowels	p. 145
Consonants	p. 146
The mechanism of articulation	p. 147
Anatomical aspects of articulation	p. 148
Fixed structures	p. 148
Movable structures	p. 148
The mandible	p. 148
The lips	p. 151
The tongue	p. 152
Summary	p. 155
Vocal health	p. 157
General health and nutrition	p. 157
Hoarseness	p. 159
Allergies	p. 160
Respiratory disease	p. 160
Vocal misuse	p. 161
Hoarseness of psychogenic origin	p. 164
Drugs	p. 165
Smoking	p. 166
Special vocal problems of women	p. 166
Surgical procedures pertinent to singers	p. 167
Singers and their doctors	p. 169
Complementary health professionals available to singers	p. 170
Care of the voice	p. 170
Research in singing	p. 173
New areas of potential research in singing	p. 174
The limitations of our current research	p. 175
Areas for the adventurous to investigate	p. 176
Summary: Exciting possibilities ahead	p. 177
Appendices	p. 178
A Classification of singers for research	p. 179
Categories of singers	p. 179
Classification Chart	p. 180
Study Outlines for Vocal Anatomy	p. 184
Introductory notes on anatomy	p. 184
Notes about muscle tissue	p. 186
Muscle action and terms of movement	p. 187
Respiration	p. 189
Phonation - the larynx	p. 191
Pharynx and soft palate	p. 195
Soft palate	p. 197
Muscles of mastication	p. 198
The tongue	p. 200
Muscles of facial expression	p. 202
References	p. 205
Author index	p. 219
Subject index	p. 221
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