In a message dated 5/16/2001 10:22:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kjensen@c... writes: kjensen@c... writes:
<< The interesting thing here is that normally when a student has a the problem you describe above, there is a change in vibrato. The student with a conceptual problem on long sustained notes will not continue to connect the sound with an stream of breath energy and the vibrato will reveal this. It will perhaps slow or stop. In this case, the person has no change in vibrato or breath energy stream as she is trained in legato and sostenuto technique. It really sounds to me like a physical incapacity of some kind. >>
not always but, the continuance of her vibrato does reduce the likelihood that she completely changes her concept. if her vibrato continues, she may be continuing to produce sound in the same way but, she may be grabbing, as well, when she gets to the highish, sustained notes. in other words, she is adding the action of 'holding' rather than just substituting that action, doing two conflicting actions at one time rather than just one that doesn't work.
another possibility is that she's trying to blow too much air on the high notes. less air goes through the folds on the higher pitches and, if she is trying to blow too large a volume of air through them on a high pitch, something will give.
it may be physical. i have acid reflux bad enough to be on medication for it but, the only problem i have had, vocally, from it has been some scratchiness. it is reasonable that a physical problem might only show itself when the voice is being used under its biggest challenge. so, it should be checked out if that really is a concern but, the other possibility, that it is a flaw in technique, is more likely. it certainly doesn't hurt to question one's technique or, one's beliefs in what is good technique.
mike
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