Vocalist.org archive


Date sent: Tue, 1 Feb 2000 08:01:21 EST
Subject: Re: Just a reply to a few questions :)
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

In a message dated 2/1/00 4:00:53 AM Central Standard Time,
roxdp-at-global.co.za writes:

<< part of the technique that i have been taught is to hold you buttocks and
abdominal muscles tight when i sing and i deffnitely feel like im projecting
almost like blowing bubbles?
Rhonda i have a voice coach and she has explained all the technique but
somehow it just seems that something is wrong? >>


Something may be wrong with what you're being taught. The old squeeze the
dime school of support is definitely out of favor these days (read Richard
Miller for a good explanation as to why). It has very little evidence to
back its claims that these actions fixate the diaphragm. Additionally, no
effort is made to keep the sternum raised in this school, which will cause
the air to be released at too fast a pace. The whole blowing bubbles thing
gives me the impression that you all focus almost exclusively on air flow and
don't spend enough time working on how the vocal folds adduct. If you're
blasting too much air, the cords will "jam" up in response (by using
extrinsic muscles to help resist that blast) with the result being fatigue
and hoarseness.

Randy Buescher