November 1, 2010

Voice Classification Range Timbre Tessitura

Upper-lower limits

Least reliable!

Result Breath management VF function Resonator Adjustment

Can be deceiving! Misclassification- “retraining period”

Best scenario-potential never realized Worst scenario-permanent vocal damage

Where the voice “sings” Comfort Beauty

Most reliable! But, don’t rush!

Changeable! Maturity Vocal Growth

Young singing voice Extrinsic muscles don’t fully develop until

21-25 Female=mutational chink Male=voice mutation (6 months-3 years) Limited endurance

Monitor carefully

Heavier the voice=longer time to develop

Natural development time Must be allowed

No “pushing”

Are you trying to sing over amplified instruments?

Were you tired before you started singing, but are giving all you’ve got anyway?

Do you always try as hard as you can when you’re singing?

=HYPERFUNCTION!

Vocal Abuse

Can… Shorten a singing career Cause vocal damage Rob voice of beauty and freedom of

production Cause ENDLESS frustration and

disappointment

Too high pitch level Increased vf tension (CT pull)

Analogy: Driving car at high speed Keeps vf under great pressure

Vocal nodules

First Establish good vocal habits

Limited, comfortable range Posture, breathing, resonance, articulation

Work from the middle voice out to range extremes

“Assume that a voice is a medium classification until it proves otherwise”

Range Total compass

Tessitura Part of range receiving most use Comfort

Timbre Quality

Transition points Register breaks

Physical characteristics Speech level

Always exceptions!

Four reasons Wrong classification Wrong technique Singing too much/often without proper rest Health problems