Date sent: Tue, 01 Feb 2000 13:43:05 -0500
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: re: vocal problems
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>


Naomi Gurt Lind wrote in response to Leslie's question about choral singing problems:

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About tensing shoulders while holding the music -- how true that is. Sometimes, at the end of a long, intense rehearsal, I'll notice that my shoulder muscles are incredibly sore. Often, directors ask the singers to hold the music up high, so they can see the director while looking at the music,
and this can make my arms and shoulders sore and tense, and this tension can end up in the voice.

My solution to that problem has two parts. First, I'm at the age where I wear bifocals, so I hold the music low enough to be seen out of the bottom part of my glasses, which is much easier on my arms and shoulders. Second, I make sure I know the music really well, so I can hold the music at
height that's comfortable, but still be able to looke away from it enought to make satisfactory eye contact with the conductor.

Knowing the music well is also a solution to tension in the vocal apparatus, because any uncertainty about notes and rhythms will also manifest themselves as tension in the voice.

Peggy

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Peggy Harrison, Alexandria, VA
mailto:peggyh-at-ix.netcom.com
"Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile"