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ORIENTATIONS |
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V. Range—extent of the musical scale covered between the lowest and highest pitches of the voice.
VI. Dynamics—the variation and control of loudness and carrying power of tone.
VII. Ear training—developing hearing acuity for vocal sounds. VIII. Diction—enunciation and verbal intelligibility in vocal expression.
IX. Interpretation—the communication of mood and thought values in singing.
The first of these nine divisions provides a general approach to the subject, the other eight may be considered components of the act of singing. Together they constitute an organic configuration that encompasses all the primary pedagogical aspects of the singer's art.
Concerning the definition of the term concept, William James has this to say: "The function by which we identify a numerically distinct and permanent subject of discourse is called conception; and the thoughts which are Its vehicles are called concepts." [711, p. 461] This definition of concept is employed in this study.
Finally, the pedagogical procedures discussed throughout this study are primarily intended for the basic training of the past-adolescent singing voice, although a wider application is possible.
Rationale of Procedures Used
This research calls for a study of ideas or concepts rather than authors. The sources of information, ostensibly representing bona fide publications of carefully edited subject matter, play an impersonal and subordinate role in the findings. Publishing a book is not a haphazard or careless procedure but an act of deliberate planning, often requiring months of preparation. Likewise, an article appearing in a periodical or scientific journal is the result of a critical selection and evaluation of subject matter. In either case, the final copy appearing In published form usually represents a carefully prepared and edited statement by the author. It is presumed, therefore, that a printed article or text on any subject is information consciously transmitted by the author for a specific purpose and that the information contained therein^ represents his carefully reasoned judgments on the subjects discussed.
It may be questionable whether most of the texts and articles on the singing voice bespeak the viewpoint of the vocal specialist whose knowledge and experience in handling beginners is beyond challenge, but no |
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