• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • Log In
  • SSL 8
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Jeanie LoVetri Bio
    • Benefits
    • Origins of Somatic Voicework™
    • Testimonials
    • Core Principles
    • Strategies
  • News
    • Articles
  • Workshops
  • Institute
  • Photos
  • Join Us!
  • Members
    • Login
    • Edit Profile
    • SVWTA Member Directory
    • Archives
    • Members’ Links
    • Add Listing
    • Teacher Locator Help
  • Find a Teacher
  • Contact

Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method Teachers' Association

The LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™

Hold It

April 11, 2013 By Jeannette LoVetri

The vocal folds must resist the airflow. To do this, they must close firmly and vibrate easily while closed. They cannot be so pressed together that they become irritated, but they must learn to “firm up” enough to prevent a loud sound from being breathy or sharp.

When the larynx can “hold” its position, the sound feels firm or “grounded”. The tone is neither breathy nor strident and the larynx can adjust slightly as needed in order for the sound to be free to adjust as well. When this is possible, and it takes time for it to be strong in most people, the airflow will also balance, so that there is a feeling of correspondence between the sound and the body that most singing teachers call “support” or “being connected”.

Laryngeal strength is a crucial ingredient in classical singing or in belting, loud rock or other styles, but it can be very tricky to isolate interior muscles such that they do their work without dragging all sorts of other muscles along for the ride. The key to this behavior is isolation of the various muscles involved in controlling phonatory response, but not generating phonation itself. There is a difference.

Huh?

What does this mean in English?

It means that it is possible to get a good solid sound without tightening the base of the tongue, the neck muscles, the jaw muscles or the swallowing muscles. It is possible to do that when the posture is good, the ribs and abs are strong and available and the soft palate has been coaxed into responding.

How do you get to this kind of response?

Through exercises. That’s all we have. Pitches, vowels, volume and later consonants. The sound tells you everything you need to know and the exercises get you to the sound, sooner or later.

The idea is that the exercises produce a result and, if they are done properly, over time the responses  will get better, perception will get better, and in the end, the sound will also get better. Just because you understand an exercise doesn’t mean that it automatically does its job. It’s not like instant coffee….you add hot water, milk or sugar, and away you go. It’s more like watching your tomato plants grow. You plant the seed, water it, and maybe give it some fertilizer every now and then. After that, you wait.

These principles have been written about by both Cornelius Reid and William Vennard. Reid called the position one is which the larynx “holds” against the breath. Vennard calls it a “dynamic” larynx. Others have described it, too. If you are a CCM singer, you may or may not ever find this particular adjustment, as it isn’t a requisite for all CCM styles, so don’t worry if you don’t have this experience. You may not need it. A great deal depends on the overall condition of your voice, the music you perform and the training you have had. If you are a classical singer, however, and this means little to you, I suggest you give it further thought.

Filed Under: Jeanie's Blog, Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Video: Jeanie LoVetri Sings in Various Styles



Click here for More Videos and Comments.

Authentic “Crossover” Singing: Maria Damore, Rachel Williams

https://vimeo.com/780734282?loop=0

Testimonials

  • Somatic Voicework™ Testimonials
    “I have worked with Jeanie LoVetri and Somatic Voicework™ for twenty years and have found her method to be incredibly efficient and scientifically sound. I have been able to consciously work on technique while continuing to develop my artistry and my personal style. I credit Jeannie with the freedom I feel when I sing.” Luciana Souza, ...
More

SOMATIC VOICEWORK™ TEACHERS

Somatic Voicework™ teachers believe that the body and the voice are not limited and that it is possible to train anyone who wishes to sing in a variety of styles in a healthy and responsible manner. They are caring, excellence-driven, live in the USA and 10 foreign countries, and have varied backgrounds in:

Jazz ~ Musical Theatre ~ Pop/Rock ~ Classical ~ Gospel ~ Choral ~ World Music

Many hold masters and doctoral degrees and are in positions of responsibility in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) at local, state, and regional levels.

Many are heads of departments in voice at universities and conservatories, published authors of books, research papers and pedagogy articles in voice and music journals.

Many are acknowledged professionally as singers, having performed in major venues in all styles of music all over the world.

Find a Somatic Voicework™ teacher today!

Copyright © 2023 · Somatic Voicework· Log in

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!