At 03:33 PM 10/11/00 -0700, Shanna wrote: >.... Is there a way >to hear volume of one's own voice (sans recording >equipment)? Is this an issue of support? I know that >when I don't know a piece of music very well I have a >tendency to back off a bit, but I never thought I was >as quiet as people are telling me I am. I'm confused, >and am beginning to doubt my dynamic levels, etc. Any thoughts? >
Shanna,
There are many on this list with great deal more experience than I have, who can answer your question better; but I, too, have wanted to "hear myself" at times. What I do is to stand in the middle of the room with the ulnar aspect of my hands pressed firmly against the sides of my face just in front of my ears (so that the palms of my opened hands face backwards), then sing. The room shouldn't be all hard surfaces, but with carpeting, etc.
On the issue of support, I will have to defer to the vocal pedagogues hereabouts. For me, however, I try not to equate volume with support but rather a feeling of increased inner "bigness"; otherwise I might try to force or "press" my voice. This usually ruins both pitch and tonal quality. Actually, when I sing softly, I have to support more. Personally, I think that in chorus, quiet is better anyway unless you have a moving line or the director wants to hear you more. On the other hand, at last night's rehearsal for "Camerata", the director seemed to look straight at ME when he asked "Tenors---where are you?!"
GWendel
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