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CONCEPTS OF VOCAL PEDAGOGY |
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The remaining statements in this category are summarized as follows:
i. "Allow the voice to sing spontaneously." Make no effort to control it consciously. [Thomas 609.]
2. Simulated expression can convince no one. "To be effective expression must be spontaneous/' [Samuels 487, p. 42]
3. "Spontaneity is the spirit of good singing/' [Clippinger 104, p. 2]
4. The action of the vocal organs should be "as instinctive as the functioning of the seeing eye/' The vocal tone should always be free and spontaneous. [Brown 67] All admonitions and conscious controls in singing are .fruitless. [78, p. 65]
5. "Singers are forever told to sing naturally; and are forever refusing to do so." [Irvine 295]
6. A natural technique is best built upon natural reflexes which originate in vital rather than artistic processes. The vocal instrument is unique in that so much of its technique is a gift of nature. [Drew 147, p. 158 and p. 177]
7. Singing is and should remain a spontaneous, effortless reflex action, devoid of all forms of muscular control. [Gescheidt 200, p. 9; La Forest 326, p. 181]
8. "Voice [singing] should be the spontaneous expression of one's personality." [Jones 307, p. 5]
FREEING THE VOCAL MECHANISM
Freedom is a term often used in singing. It is denned as a condition of natural, unforced and unrestricted operation of the vocal organs. (W) "Freedom is the fundamental pillar of voice production," says Marafioti. With it, the singer enjoys complete and perfect command of all his vocal resources at all times. [368, p. 75] The 115 statements gathered in this area have been summarized in three groupings:
a) relaxation as a factor (43 statements)
b) the economy-of-effort principle (51 statements)
c) overcoming inhibitions and fears (21 statements)
Relaxation as a factor in voice training. Literally, to relax (from laxus: loose) means to make less firm, rigid or tense; also to slacken and loosen; to release from restraint. (W) From these fundamental concepts is derived the current use of the term relaxation in vocal pedagogy; namely, the elimination of unnecessary mental and muscular tensions and strains while singing. There is considerable misunderstanding among singers re- |
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