Vocalist.org archive


From:  "saint james" <stjames@l...>
Date:  Thu Sep 14, 2000  5:17 am
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] Sexism and appropriate vocal registers WAS: Source of frequencies



>These sexist ideas creep into how a woman's voice is trained, IMO. Many
>books say that a woman's chest voice is useless for singing, and that it
>is dangerous. That's boloney! It just doesn't serve the dominant
>patriarchical paradigm! Many non-western-european-classical singing styles
>have women using this register with no ill effects.
>
>Similar things have been said about men and their upper voices as well,
>though men have traditionally been able to get away with a lot more than
>women, since power has traditionally been in men's hands. It's fine for
>men and women to sing in the traditional, operatic way, but they should be
>aware of the cultural messages that are being perpetuated by the form.
>
>another rant out of the way - that's two for this morning! :)
>
>-Tako



James here.....

Here, here ! Rant on. Classical American musicians can be so stogy. Gender
should not be a tight, uncomfortable costume, made by someone else, that
dictates everything including how we sing. Such silly ideas like "all
tenors and CT's are gay". If only !

James


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