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From:  Greypins@a...
Greypins@a...
Date:  Mon Apr 9, 2001  2:06 am
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] THE AH VOWEL


In a message dated 4/8/2001 7:03:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
lloyd.hanson@n... writes:

<< As you know, the rule of thumb in singing
diphthongs or triphongs is to always sustain the initial vowel and
treat the exit vowel sounds as one would treat an ending consonant
(or combine the exit vowel with the ending consonant if the word has
one).

Pops singing of any kind does not necessarily adhere to this rule and
instead allows a migration from the initial vowel sound to the exit
vowel sound within a sustained note. >>

lloyd,

it has been my observation that a great number of pop singers, realizing
how stupid it sounds to get to the exit vowel too soon, tend more to leave
the exit vowel out. however, the ones who know what they are doing
definitely take more liberty with this rule. ( tony bennett will often
sustain a pitch on an 'n' or an 'm'. ) also, a lot of them will close more
gradually to the exit vowel. this more closely resembles those occasions in
speech where the length of a word is elongated abnormally. moaning
'ooooooooh gooooooood' when one finds out something exasperating, is very
seldom commited in adherence to the rule you stated in the first paragraph.

i don't think it was i who brought up the affect of consonants on vowels
however, vocalizing on the syllables 'gug' and 'mum' ( i first got from roger
love although i am told he got them from seth riggs. it is unlikely they
are sacred mantras ), produce very different results on which is essentially
the same vowel. even vocalized and unvocalized consonants of the same
formation create different results ( f&z, b&p, t&d, ch&j, etc. ) due to where
the resistance of the airflow takes place.

just out of curiosity ( have no fear, this is not one of my crafty traps
), which pop singers (any era ) do you enjoy listening to?

mike

emusic.com