Esther Salaman’s book ‘Unlocking Your Voice – Freedom to Sing’ describes the start of the note as a ‘caress of the glottis’, a ‘tiny click’ and ‘imploding’. Here are some sound files I made on a, i and u using the mechanism of the larynx. Salaman’s exercise for beginners is to take a ‘happy surprise’ breath, pause and onset a half scale on one breath.
These three vowels are followed by a preliminary agility exercises. This agility exercise should be performed lightly. Very little breath is required to perform them if the onset is a ‘caress of the glottis’, a ‘tiny click’ and ‘imploding’.
The Start of the Note – aThe Start of the Note – iThe Start of the Note – uOnset and then agility exercise
I am a professional classical singer with strong crossover ability. I have been in the music business since my graduation from University in 1994.
In addition to singing, I have been trained to a high level in classical guitar and brass. My guitar playing enables me to self accompany; I perform professionally as a self-accompanied singer. My brass playing facilitates my playing of Taonga Puoro (traditional Māori instruments).
I have begun to focus on my YouTube channel now that my studio is full. I have called this channel 'The Complete Singer' because I am not only a singer, but also a teacher and singer-songwriter; I write songs professionally as well as for relaxation.
I believe that old fashioned singing techniques, developed over hundreds of years in Italy, should form the foundation of good singing. I practice exercises daily from books written by Garcia, Marchesi and Melba. In addition to these exercises, I add modern singing exercises. Therefore, this forms the basis of my teaching.
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Deborah Wai Kapohe 