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From:  "Steve Fraser <Steve.Fraser@j...
Date:  Mon Feb 24, 2003  10:30 pm
Subject:  [vocalist] Re: Question about legato


Nice to hear that 'pulling taffee' has its uses besides the
making of sweets. :-)

Since not many of my students have had that experience (making
candy that way) I have found some other metaphors and visual images
that work to the same effect, which provoke the sustained intense
thought, and while singing, the intense breath
energy which is needed for legato singing.

In no particular order....

Crying like a very long-winded baby, on pitch.
Making a sustained, satisfied sigh
Imitating the ringmaster at a circus 'Ladies and Gentlemen'
Pulling on both ends of a bungee cord
Drawing back a real, or imaginary bow, as if to shoot an arrow
Swishing the cupped hand rapidly though a bathtub
When swimming, trying to walk rapidly in waist-deep water
Squeezing 10 coins together between the fingers, so they do not fall.
Holding an imaginary 'bowling ball' at arms length with 1 arm.
Gesture like you are a double-bass player, bowing long notes with a
_very_ long (like, 6-foot) bow

While I am sure that there must be many more which work equally well,
or better, I find that for each of these, a certain mental gesture is
required to provide the sustained energy I want from the student.
While the physical item (coins, etc) do help if someone has never
done that thing, once they HAVE done it, many students are able to
intensify their thinking quite well in their imagination.

All the best,

Steven Fraser











  Replies Name/Email Yahoo! ID Date  
22866 Re: Question about legatoCindi Watersmusicteachky Wed  2/26/2003  
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