>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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