Vocalist.org archive


From:  buzzcen@a...
Date:  Fri Sep 1, 2000  5:51 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Singing with a focused tone/still larynx


In a message dated 9/1/00 8:46:02 AM Central Daylight Time, Mezzoid@a...
writes:

<< I especially put value in the last 2 factors; a fabulous voice does not
make
a fabulous teacher. I know, I'VE been there! As far as operatic, do you
mean having had an operatic career or focusing only on operatic repertoire?
Either way, I think that at 19, your primary concern should be to find a
teacher who knows what he/she is doing in the area of pedagogy. There is
nothing wrong with singing song repertoire in the voice building process (or
throughout your career, for that matter). You should have exposure to the
operatic repertoire, but make certain that it is correct for your voice at
your current stage of vocal development. If you work on arias that you hope
to perform for the rest of your life, and your voice is not ready for it,
you
will have those bad habits to overcome for the rest of your life (IMHO).
>>


Good points, especially the operatic stuff. The function of the voice is not
necessarily driven by an aesthetic, that comes later. In an attempt to sound
operatic, many young singers impose a weight and darkness to fit into some
preconceived notion of legit singing. While there are many singers in opera
who sing in a such a way as mentioned above, not all do. Dawn Upshaw,
Pavarotti, Sylvia McNair and others sing in a way that is less contrived
towards fitting into a certain style but the vocal production is excellent.

Randy Buescher

emusic.com