----- Original Message ----- From: Sandra <sandra@b...> From: Sandra <sandra@b...> To: <vocalist-temporary@egroups.com> To: <vocalist-temporary@egroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 9:48 PM Subject: Re: [vocalist-temporary] Re: Breathing question (or HELP ME, IAN!!)
<<How about it, for those of you who teach, > but how many of you A) actively discuss mechanics and work on breathing > exercises with that approach, versus B) don't get specific about the > mechanics with the idea that many students only use this information to try > and control muscles and get in their own way in the end? >
Sandra,
I don't discuss breathing much after the beginning of the year (unless it is called for), but I do like to have my students understand the basics of what is going on, and what is not going on. I think a certain amount of anatomical knowledge is worthwhile, if only to make you aware of charlatans. I went through a long period in my singing where I tensed up in my breathing, so I understand why many teachers downplay its importance.
I try to remind my students often that any good thing I tell them can be taken too far, and that we are trying to establish a comfortable middle ground between extremes. If we work on comfortably lowering the larynx, and succeed, it is my job to make sure the student doesn't try to lower it any more. Sometimes, I find my students going in a pendulum fashion, one lesson with an excessively bright sound, the next with a woofy one. The trick is find that happy middle ground.
In regard to breathing, the inhalation portion is not too difficult, once good posture is achieved. The balance between the abdominals and the vocal cords, or onset, is a much more difficult process. Again, we strive for a balance between the extremes of breathy onset, and glottal attack. I believe that each student should be taught in the most effective way for them. Some of my students' eyes glaze over when we talk technically, but understand immediately when I use images. Other students roll their eyes when I use images, and it clicks when I talk tech. I try to use some of both with every student, though, because I believe each style has an importance, in a left-brain, right-brain sort of way. So, to answer your question...C. I use both!
Of course, I am relatively new to this, and always feel a little self-conscious when I post to this group, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?
Breathily, David Grogan East Texas Baptist University Marshall, Texas
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