I've done that -- establish a scale of 1-10, 1 being virtually completely closed, 10 being ridiculously open. Sing at both positions, and then find the optimal space at which the sound is best (which will change depending on the note). Then figure out approximately one number (totally arbitrary) she's currently singing at...
I believe I got this from a NATS workshop with Robert Edwin at Minneapolis in 1997. Exploring extremes.
Christine Thomas, Mezzo Soprano
"I love to sing-a, about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a!" ----- Original Message ----- From: John Link To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 6:23 PM Subject: Re: [vocalist] Grapes!
>I have one student at the moment whose only issue remains her >stubborn refusal to open her mouth any wider than half a finger >width. Whilst she can't get past this no other work can be done.
Michelle, I suggest that you ask your student to sing with her mouth fully closed. More specifically, have her keep her upper teeth touching her lower teeth and have her use her fingers to keep her lips away form her teeth. Have her sing like this for a minute or so on something not too difficult. Then ask her to just sing without that ridiculous constraint. Perhaps she will feel the difference and start to allow her mouth to open.
Good luck, John Link
http://www.cdBaby.com/JohnLink Check out my CDs: http://www.cdBaby.com/JohnLink2 (John Link Sextet) http://www.cdBaby.com/JohnLink (John Link Vocal Quintet)
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