Dear Vocalisters:
In classical singing style it is not acceptable to add breath to the tone quality when singing soft. Soft singing should maintain the same clear quality as loud singing with only a small reduction in the vocal ring due to a reduction of vocal fold amplitude. This quality of soft singing will still be able to be heard over an orchestra in a large hall if the orchestration is appropriately structured.
The above criteria does not preclude the use of a breath admixture to the tone for a particular dramatic effect but such usage is the exception, not the rule.
Because singing with a mike allows the effect of whispering in ones ear, a breathy tone is often used when singing softly for that personal one-to-one effect. The amplification of the sound permits this procedure.
But it is a mistake to add breath to the tone when singing "classical" music.
Regards -- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice, Vocal Pedagogy School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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