A Systematic Approach to Voice: The Art of Studio Application

Description

A Systematic Approach to Voice: The Art of Studio Application is a professional resource presenting a framework for the integration of science-informed principles of voice production and pedagogical application in the training of singers. Author Dr. Kari Ragan has spent years using this organizational template of the five voice systems respiration, phonation, registration, articulation, and resonance to identify technical challenges and design corrective vocal exercises in order to facilitate efficient singing.  Each of the voice system chapters contains a brief overview of the mechanics as well as key points for teachers, or teacher takeaways. The book s core offering is vocal exercises which, framed within a systematic approach, provide strategies for the art of studio application. The intent is to create an approach that leads to technically proficient singing working in service of great artistry. Key Features Over 85 vocal exercises for studio application framed within a systematic approach for both a CCM and classical aesthetic Brief overview of the mechanics of each voice system and relevant "teacher takeaways" Extensive discussion on semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises Introduction of several kinesthetic singing tools Eight sample warm-up protocols designed for various levles of singers and both CCM and classical genres A PluralPlus companion website with video demonstrations for each vocal exercise and sample warm-up Preface Acknowledgments Reviewers 1. A Systematic Approach Introduction The Heuristic Nature of a Systematic Approach Kinesthetic Singing Tools Alterations of Vocal Exercises Summary References Selected Resource 2. The Twenty-First Century Voice Teacher Introduction Cross-Training the Voice Athlete Voice Habilitation A Vocal Warm-Up Versus Vocal Function Exercises Motor Learning Theory and the Singer Summary References Selected Resources 3. A Systematic Approach to Respiration Overview of Respiration Inhalation Exhalation Teacher Takeaways of Respiration Application of Respiration Body Awareness Exercises 3–1: Large Ball—Stretching and Lengthening 3–2: Large Ball—Posture and Alignment Respiration Coordination Exercises 3–3: Sustaining Unvoiced Consonants 3–4: Rhythmic Patterns on Unvoiced Consonants /s/, /f/, /?/, or /?/ 3–5: Alternating Unvoiced/Voiced Consonant Pairs 3–6: Flow-Ball by POWERbreathe 3–7: Flow-Ball Voiceless Staccato 3–8: Flow-Ball Voiceless Messa di Voce 3–9: Flow-Ball Voiced “Flownation” Breath Depletion Exercises 3–10: Breath Depletion Prior to Inhalation 3–11: Breath Depletion Conditioning Respiration and Resonance Coordination 3–12: /?um/ Patterns Rib Cage Expansion 3–13: Exercise Band Respiratory Release 3–14: Pelvic Floor Release 3–15: Xiphoid Process Area Release Core Engagement 3–16: Encouraging Core Engagement Through Exercise Balls 3–17: Large Ball Squat 3–18: Exercise Band Core Engagement Summary References Selected Resources 4. A Systematic Approach to Phonation Overview of Phonation Teacher Takeaways of Phonation Overview of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) Postures Diameter of Straw or Tube Length of Straw or Tube Material of Straw or Tube Straw or Tube in Water (Water Bubble Phonation) The Use of an Anesthesia Mask to Facilitate an SOVT Posture Teacher Takeaways of SOVT Postures Application of Phonation Straw Phonation/Pitch Glides 4–1: Straw Phonation Pitch Glides—Small Intervals 4–2: Straw Phonation Pitch Glides—Full-Range 4–3: Straw Phonation Pitch Glides—Varying Intervals 4–4: Straw Phonation Scales 4–5: Straw Phonation Pitch Glides to Vowels Water Bubbles 4–6: Water Bubble Pitch Glides 4–7: Water Bubble Repertoire Lip Trills 4–8: Arpeggio Lip Trills 4–9: Chromatic Lip Trills Vocal Onsets 4–10: Mastering Staccato 4–11: Water Bubble Staccato 4–12: Staccato to Legato Vocal Fry 4–13: Vocal Fry—Sustaining 4–14: Vocal Fry to Chest Registration 4–15: Vocal Fry to Head Registration Summary References Selected Resources 5. A Systematic Approach to Registration Overview of Registration Teacher Takeaways of Registration Application of Registration Female Head Registration Isolation 5–1: Soft /u/— Secondo Passaggio 5–2: Sustained Head Registration Isolation 5–3: Head Registration Isolation Crescendo 5–4: Advanced Head Registration Isolation 5–5: Advanced Head Registration—Bel-Canto Inspired Male Head Registration Isolation 5–6: Soft /u/ for Balanced Registration 5–7: Head Registration Isolation Through Variation of Dynamics and Vowels 5–8: Building a Bridge Across Registers Male Registration Coordination 5–9: Head Registration to Develop High Notes in 5–10: Messa di Voce Through the Secondo Passaggio Female Chest Registration Isolation 5–11: Chest Registration Isolation 5–12: Head Registration to Facilitate Efficient Chest Registration 5–13: Building a Bridge to Belting Mixed Registration for a Broad Spectrum of Sound 5–14: “Meow” CCM Mixed Registration 5–15: “My”—CCM Mixed Registration 5–16: Arpeggio Mixed Registration 5–17: Ode to Joan Lader 5–18: Alternating Registration 5–19: Mastering Messa di Voce Summary References Selected Resources 6. A Systematic Approach to Articulation Overview of Articulation The Jaw The Tongue The Soft Palate The Pharynx Teacher Takeaways of Articulation Application of Articulation Jaw Stretches 6–1: Preparing the Jaw Jaw: Voiced Exercises 6–2: Wine Cork Between Front Teeth 6–3: Wine Cork Between Molars 6–4: Masseter Muscle Release Tongue Stretches 6–5: Tongue Out Stretch 6–6: Tongue Curl Stretch 6–7: Underside of Tongue Stretch 6–8: Circular Tongue Stretch Tongue: Voiced Exercises 6–9: Dental Consonants 6–10: Palatal Consonants 6–11: Developing Jaw and Tongue Independence 6–12: Voiced Raspberry and Tongue Trills 6–13: Base of Tongue Disengagement 6–14: Candy on the Tongue 6–15: Gauze on the Tongue 6–16: Ode to Barbara Doscher 6–17: Dental/Palatal Consonant Combinations Soft Palate Stretches 6–18: Isolating the Soft Palate Activation Soft Palate: Voiced Exercises 6–19: Soft Palate Exploration with Voicing 6–20: Using Nasality to Explore the Contrast of Soft Palate Elevation 6–21: Thumb in Mouth Against the Soft Palate Summary Reference Selected Resources 7. A Systematic Approach to Resonance Overview of Resonance High-Frequency Spectral Content: Vocal Ring Classical Singer’s Lofted Resonance Strategy CCM Singer’s Brassy Resonance Strategy Western Classical Versus CCM Teacher Takeaways Application of Resonance 7–1: Chant Speech—Humming 7–2: Pitch Glides—Humming 7–3: Using /hm/ to Facilitate Resonance 7–4: Ode to Ellen Faull 7–5: Alternating /m/ with a Vowel Series 7–6: Bending Forward 7–7: Lying Over a Ball 7–8: Chopstick Between the Teeth 7–9: Chadley’s “Weird” Exercise 7–10: Y-Buzz 7–11: Facilitating Brassy Resonance (Twang) Summary References Selected Resources 8. Sample Vocal Warm-Up Routines Introduction Classical Female (Middle/High School, Undergraduate, Avocational Singer) Classical Female (Undergraduate/Graduate, Emerging Professional, Professional Singer) Classical Male (Middle/High School, Undergraduate,Avocational Singer) Classical Male (Undergraduate/Graduate, Emerging Professional, Professional Singer) CCM Female (Beginning/Intermediate) CCM Female (Intermediate/Advanced) CCM Male (Beginning/Intermediate) CCM Male (Intermediate/Advanced) Index