Mirko,
I've only had three short series of lessons, separated by periods of
years, one more or less Italian style teacher, one English style; plus, I've
read and listened a great deal, and questioned good singers about what
they're doing. But let me get to my point: I too tend to avoid the facial
idea and imagine a more vertical resonance - after all the point is finding
resonance, NOT pushing anything out of one's mouth. My mouth opening is
usually rather small. Anything else seems to produce strain and fatigue.
On the other hand I really like singing in German, which for me has
the most rich and resonant vowels. I find Italian harder, though there's
nothing that quite suits my voice as a nice Verdi cantilena. On the third
hand, I've only sung a little Italian in public, and my understanding of
German is so much more than my understanding of Italian.
I think that people's *idea* of good Italian singing is different
from what the *great* Italian singers do, which is similar to what the very
best German singers do, though the average preference in northern countries
might be (gross generalization) shriller high notes and darker low notes,
perhaps since dramatic intensity is more valued than sheer beauty of sound.
This doesn't really explain the English though, does it? On the other hand:
Callas and Bjoerling.
:o) john
At 09:55 14/04/00 +1000, you wrote:
>Hi, Mirko here.
>
>My teacher is training me in the german operatic method. This means that I
>avoid the 'facial' resonance that I often hear people talk about, and sing
>in the top of the head instead. He's always on to me about my overly nasal
>tone (which i can't even hear!). It's a very full dramatic way of singing-
>and it feels great when I get it right. He also says that the voice lasts
>much longer in this way. I end up sounding like a baritone in my chest
>range- but this is probably my real sound emerging. Does anybody know any
>other things about the german school. My teacher used to perform in touring
>opera companies all over europe, and says the german technique is really
>good to learn. It seems quite similar to the Italian sound actually.
>What do you think?
>
>Mirko
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Create and print your own holiday cards.
>FREE at Corbis.com
>http://click.egroups.com/1/3360/3/_/843894/_/955670724/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>vocalist-temporary-unsubscribe@o...
>
>
>
>
John Blyth
Baritone, inter alia.
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
|
