To: Vocalist
From: Peter Louis van Dijk
Subject: Weight lifting and balanced onsets><< > > I have found o=
nset exercises
work best to obtain correct closure of the > vocal folds for singing and
counteract the effects often found with singers > who lift weights. >
> The best description of the correct onset exercise procedure and
examples of > exercises for their use I have found in Richard Miller's
book, "The > Structure of Singing". > > > Regards > -- > Lloyd W.
Hanson, DMA >> > > >Randy Buescher replied: >Onset exercises are not
always the best answer (as a first step) especially >when the student
either habitually under or overcompresses the voice. > > Better to shape
the behavior in a progressive, stepwise fashion. It's much >more
efficient and follows the principles of clinical practice. Getting
rid of old habits must be the most difficult thing we have to contend
with, especially when it involves tightening of the throat and lifting
of the larynx. I had a teacher who used to say:If it feels comfortable, i=
t's
right! My inner response was :Really? Nothing beats the comfort of an
old habit until it has been re-trained, which is often very
uncomfortable.And not every student responds the same way to various
exercises, so I suppose we need a wide variety to choose from and to
adapt, according to the individual. Needless to say, the
"Ger=E4usch=FCbungen" (growl or flutter) have also
helped to retrain and shape laryngial behavior. Did my post on Dr Martin
Schwartz actually get through? Maybe too long a Quote? He describes a
passive air-flow technique which helps retrain the cords and prevents
them from locking,which, according to him, is the major reason for
stuttering.Strikes me as if this exercise could be of help with our
weightlifting problem of huskiness. Regards Susi C T RSA
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