Recently, my exploration into vocal technique has involved working with a Shure SM7B to record a variety of songs using a range of techniques from the Old Italian Style right through to belt voice. I found the Shure SM7B to be poor for classical which is to be expected; truckloads of the colour in myContinue reading “Developing a Partnership with a Microphone”
Category Archives: Vocal Pedagogy
High Notes
…there is almost no limit to the height that can be reached by the pure head tone without admixture of palatal resonance. Lilli Lehmann, How to Sing. …the whole secret of both [extension of the compass and equalization of the registers] consists in the proper raising and lowering of the soft palate, and the pillarsContinue reading “High Notes”
Tips for Cherubino’s Aria “Voi Che Sapete” – follow up
This is a follow up post to my earlier post on Cherubino’s aria. Here are three versions of Cherubino’s aria sung at 421HZ. The first version is too dark. I pressed down on the sound. It was tiring and uncomfortable. The second version isn’t as dark but I have another problem – you can seeContinue reading “Tips for Cherubino’s Aria “Voi Che Sapete” – follow up”
Consonants – Oskar Guttmann
The starting point to introduce the various techniques required for singing consonants today is to choose a Cancone Solfeggio phrase and refer to Oskar Guttmann’s ‘Gymnastics for the Voice’. The majority of the techniques I blog about are for the classical voice. However, this blog is for every style. Every singer should be aware ofContinue reading “Consonants – Oskar Guttmann”
Nasal Close
Lilli Lehmann writes “[t]he nasal close of itself brings a new color into the singing…the word is much more clearly intelligible…”. Below is a demonstration of a Cancone solfeggio phrase. The first ‘sol la’ is sung without a nasal close and the second is with a nasal close. Can you hear the second ‘sol la’Continue reading “Nasal Close”
Lucie Manen exercises demonstrated
Here are some demonstrations of techniques from pages 26 until 31 of Lucie Manen’s book ‘The Art of Singing’. On a previous blog, I demonstrated the onset of the note using the larynx mechanism. Here is a demonstration of the onset using both the larynx mechanism and, the main resonator, the pharynx mechanism. Manen writesContinue reading “Lucie Manen exercises demonstrated”
Cancone
Classical Singing is not just about being able to sing loud and soft. Classical Singing is about being able to sing with different tone colours and shades of intensity. Here is the opening phrase of a Cancone solfeggio. Solfegii and vocalise are vital for training singers. I will be demonstrating a lot of solfegii andContinue reading “Cancone”
Messa di Voce on ‘u’
Today I made a sound file of messa di voce on my favourite vowel ‘u’. There are two attempts in this sound file. The first attempt was uneven and lacked in its intensity but the second attempt was ok. My iPhone compresses my recordings a lot, but I think it is still possible to hearContinue reading “Messa di Voce on ‘u’”
Nasal
Lilli Lehmann laments that nasal resonance is often neglected. Today I made a sound file of ‘ng’. I practice ‘ng’ throughout my vocal range. If I concentrate on my happy surprise breath, onset and support then I feel what Lilli Lehmann calls ‘whirling currents’. Here are a pair of ‘i’ vowels without nasality and aContinue reading “Nasal”
Vibrazione
Esther Salaman, in her book ‘Unlocking Your Voice’, reminds us that the Bel Canto school of singing is about quality over quantity. Ms Salaman says that Vibrazione is an exercise that develops the core of our vowels. In other words, it develops quality. Today I made a sound file of vibrazione. Vibrazione is a momentContinue reading “Vibrazione”
Deborah Wai Kapohe 