The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Stephen F Austin Associate Professor of Voice College of Music University of North Texas 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Introduction To offer voice professionals and students a concise review of the vocal mechanism To present practical applications of this information To discuss the identification and development of the professional voice. 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Topics of Discussion I. Breathing and support II. Phonation & Vocal tract acoustics III. Vocal registers IV. Vocal Tract Acoustics V. Special session: History and Pedagogy of the ‘open throat’ VI. Voice Care 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

I. Breathing and support All living things respire Air in the lungs powers the vibration of the vocal folds Breathing is a ‘natural’ process that singers must develop into a ‘supernatural’ skill 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop We respire through the vocal tract: Inspiration – taking air into the lungs via the nose and/or mouth Expiration – moving air out of the lungs Respiratory tract includes: 1) oral cavity, 2) nasal cavity, 3) pharynx, 4) larynx, 5) trachea, 6) bronchi, and 7) lungs larynx trachea 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

Mechanics of Respiration Boyle’s Law – in a sealed space: PV = constant Pressure  - Volume  Breathing is a ‘torturous’ experience! Chest wall and diaphragm are the ‘moveable walls’ 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Structural Framework Vertebral Column 34 vertebrae Rib Cage 7 ‘true’ 3 ‘false’ 2 ‘floating’ Pectoral Girdle Pelvic Girdle 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Respiratory Forces Respiration depends upon both ‘active’ and ‘passive’ forces Active – requires a muscle to do work Passive – comes from physical properties of tissue and gravity 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Inspiration - Active Diaphragm Primary muscle of inspiration: Dome shaped Divides thorax from the abdomen Descends and increases volume of the thorax 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Inspiration - Active Diaphragm Pressure decreases in lungs Air rushes in to fill the void Pressure in abdomen increases Abdominal wall expands 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Inspiration - Active External Intercostals: Between ribs ‘lifts’ the ribs Expands volume of the rib cage 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Inspiration: Active Volume of the thorax is increased by the descent of the diaphragm and the lift of the external intercostals Pressure in the lungs decreases Air rushes in through the vocal tract to equalize the pressure 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Expiration: Passive Gravity pulls down on the thorax. Volume decreases, pressure increases and results in air flow out. Elasticity Torque No muscular action necessary Not typical for singing 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Expiration: Active Requires a muscular action Primary muscles are of the abdominal wall Reposition the diaphragm ‘Squeeze’ the thorax Both decrease volume and increase pressure in thorax Produces airflow through the larynx 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Methods of ‘support’ ‘Down and out’ ‘In and up’ ‘Appoggio’ ‘Back breathing’ Lower focus – ‘squeeze the dime’, ‘psoaz’ ‘Reptilian’ – through the skin! 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Summary “I have seen some professional singers with heaving chests, some with protruding bellies, some with raised shoulders, and some with bouncing epigastrums, all of whom sang beautifully… I have also seen awkward postures that have not adversely affected good singing.” 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop

The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop Summary “While good posture and good breathing methods are certainly important, especially in a singer’s early training, it is ultimately the way in which the breath is turned into a singing tone that is crucial.” James Stark, Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy. 9/17/2018 The Vocal Pedagogy Workshop