Dear Tina and Vocalisters:
When you describe heavy mechanism you are describing a phonational phenomenon. When you describe something as having a light mechanism you are describing another phonational phenomenon. Heavy and light refer to the condition of the vocal folds and how they are used. Secondary characteristics from these uses included degree of breath pressure, use of the strapping musculature which controls the position of larynx and breath management issues. All of these are addressed in one way or another by every successful voice teacher.
The concept of "mix" is a phonational and a resonance issue. Phonation is involved and affected. As one ascends, the heavy mechanism must gradually change to a lighter mechanism. The vocal folds must become thinner until the vocalis musculature becomes almost inert and the vocal tendon carries the longitudinal tension created by the stretching of the vocal folds through the contraction of the cricothyroid muscle. Although the standing waves created by a balanced resonance does have a loading effect on the vocal folds, the changes noted above are primarily phonational.
Resonance has its effect on "mix" by giving the singer control over the which partials are allowed to be heard and how strong these partials are in their relation to each other. Physically it is not possible to mix a chest voice with a head voice because the vocal folds cannot do both of these functions at the same time. But the folds can migrate in their action between chest (heavy) and head (light) and these gradual changes are strongly influenced by configuration of the vocal tract (resonance).
Choices about how high one should carry the heavy mechanism or how low one should bring down the light mechanism are merely choices of which phonational configuration one wishes to use. Some music demands on configuration, some music demands another. However, any voice that consistently carries the heavy mechanism higher that is natural for that voice will eventually do substantial harm to the voice through excessive stress on the vocal folds. Any voice that consistently carries the light mechanism down too low for that voice will develop a weakened vocal condition that, through habit, can become most difficult to correct.
The concept of "mix" is necessary but the understanding of what actually happens physically while utilizing "mix" is not often given necessary consideration.
-- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Emeritus Director of Opera-Theatre, 1987-1997 School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
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