Voice Basics for Singers An introduction to anatomy-based vocal technique Louise Gibbs Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

Some basic assumptions You are the instrument: your vocal tract, whole body and mind Your voice and vocal quality is unique If you can speak you can sing: speaking and singing use the same fundamental vocal processes The more you know about your voice the more care and control you have with singing There is no “ideal” sound – except the one that is safely produced and best suits your musical and expressive intentions Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

The six basic factors of voice function 1)      Listening and communication 2)      Body energy and balance 3)      Air flow 4)      Phonation 5)      Articulation 6)      Resonance Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

1) Listening and Communication Your “sound world” presents you with models of voice use, language and musical style. Your aural memory is the repository of sound - and the meanings and associations that sounds hold for you. Vocal sound - as a vehicle of emotion and language - is the most powerful vehicle for communication and self-expression we have. Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

2) Body energy and balance Your health and energy levels are reflected in your voice. Your posture and working environment has an impact on your voice use. While your particular physiognomy determines your individual sound, your learned experience, listening and psychology shapes it. Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

Models of balanced (correct) – and unbalanced postures for singing Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

3) Air Flow Air moves from the lungs, through the larynx and into the mouth to generate sound. Air out of the lungs is the result of the automatic actions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles of the ribs - assisted by the abdominal muscles, (contracting towards the spine). Air into the lungs is achieved by relaxing the abdominal muscles. Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

A view of inhalation (breath IN) and exhalation (breath OUT) Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

4) Phonation Both pitch (highness/lowness) and vocal quality (clarity, breathiness, hoarseness, thickness, thinness) is determined by the interactions of the vocal folds and surrounding tissues and muscles of the larynx. The vocal folds are located in the larynx. Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

A diagram of the vocal tract (from McCallion, 1988)   Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

A schematic view of the phases of the vocal folds (from Baxter, 1990) Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

5)  Articulation The actual sound of a word is formed on a vowel (Italianate: a, e, i, o, u) or vowel composite (dipthong/tripthong). It is difficult to make any substantial sound on consonants (except l, m, n). Both vowels and consonants are formed by the position of the tongue in the mouth, with some influence of the lips. Prolonged vowels create a singing tone. Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

A schematic view of the vocal tract (from Kayes, 2004) Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

Vowel Formation   Vowel formation and the relative positions of the tongue and lips (from Kayes, 2004) Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

6) Resonance Tone quality and volume of vocal sound is influenced by a) the shape and space created in the pharynx, b) the functioning of the larynx, and c) the flow and pressure of air from the lungs. Generally speaking, the greater the space created in the pharynx the greater the resonance. Resonance and volume is a factor of air pressure and harmonics Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk

Further Resources Baxter, Mark. The Rock N Roll Singer’s Survival Manual. Hal Leonard Publishing, 1990. Chapman, Janice. Singing and Teaching Singing: A Holistic Approach to Classical Voice Plural Publishing, 2005. Gelb, Michael. Body Learning: an introduction to Alexander Technique. Aurum Press, 1981. Kayes, Gillyanne. Singing and the Actor. (2nd Ed) A&C Black, 2004. LeBon, Rachel L. The Professional Vocalist: A handbook for commerical singers and teachers. Scarecrow Press, 1999. McCallion, Michael. The Voice Book: for actors, public speakers, and everyone who wants to make the most of their voice. Faber & Faber, 1988. Sataloff, Robert T. “The Human Voice” Scientific American December, 1992. Voice Science, 2005. www.lavoix.fr.st/(in French, with clear, interactive drawings) www.vocalprocess.co.uk Voice Basics for Singers Louise Gibbs louise@jazzmine.co.uk