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CONCEPTS OF DICTION »8
ployed in changing the various configurations of the mouth" so as to produce the different sounds of the language. (W) In vowel production the front of the tongue is considered less active than in consonant production. [Robinson 473; Austin-Ball 31, p. 50] Hence, in order to prevent obstructions in the oral orifice and to keep the rather bulky lingual muscle from slipping back into the throat during singing, vocal students are often advised to keep the front of the tongue low in the mouth, while lightly touching the lower front teeth. This position provides a useful orientation point for the limited range of lingual movement that is characteristic of consonantal diction in song. [Allen 7, p. 75] (See also Chapter IV) The 17 opinions gathered on this subject are summarized in the following:
1. The old masters taught that the tongue must be allowed to He flat at the bottom of the mouth during the ah vowel. It must not be forced there. [Henderson 243, p. 46]
2. For the series of vowels from ah to oo, "the tongue should lie flat, or even a little concave, in the pit of the mouth/* [Scott 500, p. 40; 502, p. 24]
3. The tongue tip should touch "the roots of the lower front teeth as in a half yawn" on all vowels. Complete relaxation of the tongue is also prescribed. [Samuel 486, Lesson 6]
4. Learn to sing or speak all the vowels with a flat, wide tongue position that is forward and low in the mouth. .[Wycoff 696; Olden
434]
5. "Unless it is needed for the formation of certain consonants like 1, n, r," keep the tongue as flat and as relaxed as possible in the mouth* "It should not, be pushed back, raised up, or allowed to move" for vowel sounds. [Kerstin Thorborg 611; Jacques 299, p. 17]
6. For the forming of every vowel the tongue lies relaxed on the front teeth. [Waters 646; 645]
In a dissenting opinion* Russell insists (as a result of Ms X-ray observations of singers) that the position .of the tongue in singing is largely "dependent upon the consonants that precede and follow the vowel/9 The tip of the tongue does not always rest against the lower teeth as is commonly advised. Nor does it appear that changes in tongue position in any way change the quality of the singing voice. [479]
Other physical controls. Stanley advises all singers to practice pharyngeal vowel production since this will obviate the necessity of moving the mouth, lips and front tongue for the pronunciation of vowel sounds* Any |
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