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CONCEPTS OF VOCAL PEDAGOGY |
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singing teachers often look for so-called "natural results" in measuring the vocal achievements of their pupils. The general characteristics of a natural singing technique are discussed in 77 statements which are summarized in two main categories as follows:
L The vocal act is unconscious and involuntary when it is correctly (naturally) performed. This is the consensus of 58 .opinions gathered on this subject. "We have no direct control over the action of the vocal cords," says William Shakespeare in the Encyclopedia Brittanica. [516] If the vocal mechanism is faulty, it can be adjusted through corrective exercises. But in its normal functioning the vocal mechanism is entirely automatic and should not be molested. [Gescheidt 199] The following typical summarizing statements further represent this point of view:
1. The singer must be trained to rely largely upon his subconscious faculties and "to give expression through reflexes rather than through conscious direction of every detail." [Speetzen 569]
2. To prevent physical strain and vocal fatigue, lay aside all voluntary muscular controls. Correct vocal action is unconscious and free from tension. [Barbareux-Parry 34, p. 268]
3. "Correct action of the voice mechanism must be induced and not forced." Correct vocal action is always involuntary. [New York Singing Teachers Association 421, p. 35]
4. "The (vocal) chords act automatically. It is therefore worse than useless even to think of them." [James 300, p. 20; Bergere 45]
5. Singing is an automatic process which can be seriously disturbed by giving too much attention to the physiology of its parts. [Shaw 518, p. 188; Warren 637]
6. The physical phenomenon called vocal sound is the combined product of mind and muscle. Yet, because its muscles are largely involuntary in their actions, their activities are indirectly governed by willing an act that involves their automatic functioning. [Wilcox 669, p. 2 and p. 12]
7. "Most voices suffer from over-analysis. . . . The best vocal work is . . . largely automatic." [Amelita Galli-Curci 197]
8. Simplicity is the keynote of good teaching. "As a real teacher grows he discards ... all attempts at conscious control of the complicated vocal apparatus." [Fory 190]
9. "Direct control . . . has led to . .*. fantastic [and misleading] theories." [Clippinger 104, Foreword]
10. Ignore the larynx "as if it did not even exist." [Hill 272, p. 53] |
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