These are valid questions for a parent that wants to support a child with talent. There are kids with naturally “big” voices but you need an experienced teacher to know how to nurture this talent without pushing it or squashing it. Plus, there are “big” belters and “big” fledging opera singers (meaning long in the future with a good teacher, but in that direction). Thanks for your post.
Listening to music. A good idea. I have to wonder sometime.
Of course, the issue is “get them done” and that can make for difficulty. Still, with universities demanding doctorates (sometimes instead of competence) it really muddies the water. Singing is not something you learn about by writing dissertations. You learn about it by doing it under the guidance of others who have great eyes and ears.
Yes, only vowels can be “tuned up” with formant/harmonic balance, so not every sound. I exaggerate sometimes here to make a point — artistic license. But unless you are looking at the voice analysis software while you sing, you really have no good way to know which formant is doing what with which harmonic. I don’t rely on software and most people who sing don’t do so by looking at a voice analysis software monitor. That can be a good teaching tool but you still have to be able to make the sounds in the first place in order to see what they are doing. Beginners don’t necessarily do that well. It is certainly not a way to help people learn to to sing jazz, pop or any sound that doesn’t rely on “resonance” as a primary tool.
That’s true. It is also true that many opera singers who have “big” voices really felt a lot of vibration in their heads when they sang. If, howeer, you were not one of those singers, that idea was of no use. Understanding voice science is very important but using it is something different. If you want to investigate how confused singing teachers are about what controls pitch, you need only look at some of the teaching sites to see for yourself.
Sounds great, Craig. Thanks for sharing this. JL
These are valid questions for a parent that wants to support a child with talent. There are kids with naturally “big” voices but you need an experienced teacher to know how to nurture this talent without pushing it or squashing it. Plus, there are “big” belters and “big” fledging opera singers (meaning long in the future with a good teacher, but in that direction). Thanks for your post.
Absolutely,true, Jodi. Great to hear from you!
It’s very important for the two professions to understand each other, for the sake of the students. Thanks.
Please share this with others, Maurice. The more people think about the topic, the better. Thanks.
Yes, Judy, how about those? Thanks.
Listening to music. A good idea. I have to wonder sometime.
Of course, the issue is “get them done” and that can make for difficulty. Still, with universities demanding doctorates (sometimes instead of competence) it really muddies the water. Singing is not something you learn about by writing dissertations. You learn about it by doing it under the guidance of others who have great eyes and ears.
Thank you so much. Your words are very uplifting to one who has struggled long with this issue.
Yes, only vowels can be “tuned up” with formant/harmonic balance, so not every sound. I exaggerate sometimes here to make a point — artistic license. But unless you are looking at the voice analysis software while you sing, you really have no good way to know which formant is doing what with which harmonic. I don’t rely on software and most people who sing don’t do so by looking at a voice analysis software monitor. That can be a good teaching tool but you still have to be able to make the sounds in the first place in order to see what they are doing. Beginners don’t necessarily do that well. It is certainly not a way to help people learn to to sing jazz, pop or any sound that doesn’t rely on “resonance” as a primary tool.
That’s true. It is also true that many opera singers who have “big” voices really felt a lot of vibration in their heads when they sang. If, howeer, you were not one of those singers, that idea was of no use. Understanding voice science is very important but using it is something different. If you want to investigate how confused singing teachers are about what controls pitch, you need only look at some of the teaching sites to see for yourself.