Emily C.: TNV, Ch. 10

The Naked Voice: Chapter 10

Emily Cottam

Chapter Summary: This chapter is about the application of the inventions (“training”) to actual songs (“the game”). Learning to sing with legato is important to maintaining a healthy voice--it’s singing with line, smooth/even style without breaks between notes. Vowels help accommodate legato, and modification is unnecessary and comes across as false. The soft palate lifts as a result of good airflow and articulation. Consonants are important to forming meaning out of the words, but they should not be overdone, and it should remain true to the spoken language. Try to eliminate shadow vowels from pronunciation. Diction can be detrimental to good singing because it can be overemphasized and cover the emotional integrity of the music. Musicality is the “elements which seems to give emotion and expressiveness to the music.” Singing softly doesn’t require less airflow, but rather a gentler engagement of the voice. Fioratura passages should be broken down as follows: 1. Divide into pulses, 2. Sing pulses with legato, 3. Sing all notes, pulse by pulse, 4. Combine two pulses at a time, 5. Combine all pulses. Singing staccato is made with “the detachment a supraglottal sensation,” maintaining legato and consistent airflow. Use the wobble technique to learn wide interval passages. With differing styles of music, the only thing that should change isn’t just your interpretation, but the way you treat your vowels. Always remain true to the style. You can still sing different styles with a healthy voice/airflow. 

Key Concepts: Remember that the inventions are not meant to be warmups, but they are training for the “real thing,” or music repertoire. With everything you do, always maintain consistent/constant airflow, and remain true to the language, style, and emotion of the piece. 

Key Terms: legato, vowel modification, diction, musicality, fioratura. 

Making Connections: The main thing I got out of this chapter is to always maintain consistent airflow no matter what you’re doing when singing. Remaining true to the vowels, the spoken language (both interpretation and pronunciation in typical conversation), the musicality of the piece, and the style of the music is essential to giving a genuine and meaningful performance.