Caitlin Craig SS Chapter 7 Summary

Chapter Summary: Spontaneous Combustion is the subject of the fourth invention. In Spontaneous Combustion we focus on the beginning of the sound or onset.  To create a healthy onset our bodies are free, and open.  We are ready, and when we are ready a combination of sound and energy work to emit a sound.  There is a difference between healthy onsets and not healthy onsets for our vocal folds.  The purpose of invention #4 is to promote healthy sound from the first millisecond of phonation.  To begin a clean onset think that you are about to speak.  Healthy speaking usually does not contain subglottal pressure. A healthy onset maintains a balance between a pressed onset, and the aspirated onset. In this exercise Smith has outlined a vocalise with five separated [a]s.  We start in our middle range moving up and down a P4 (in all covering a P8).  This is not an exercise to stretch range, but to find a balanced healthy onset in all places of the voice, therefore we only care about onset, and not sustaining that pitch.  Reiteration of the [a] vowel can help us to hear tension, because it is the only vowel sound that "cannot be set or held and still sound like [a]."  The release of sound is marked by the breath.  Inhalation stops phonation healthily and automatically.  This inhalation between sound naturally stops the sound and opens the vocal folds.  As singers we do not make this happen, but rather it is something that spontaneously happens.  Spontaneous Combustion also helps to free any tension in the root of the tongue.
Key Terms: spontaneous combustion, onset, attack, subglottal pressure, pressed onset, aspirate onset.
Key Concepts: Healthy onsets are crucial to good singing.  Breath acts as a release from phonation.
Making Connections: I have been working diligently on my onsets, and I am happy to say that they are improving, although I still have a lot of work to do.  I think this would be a great exercise for not only the practice room, but also for teaching.  Maintaining clean onsets are a direct signal of low down and out breath, speech-like singing, and low laryngeal tug.