Caitlin Craig SS Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter Summary: Simply speaking simply is the first invention in which the singer learns how to free the voice from outside muscular help.
Phase 1 -- Vernacular speech.  Vernacular speech is the speaking in our everyday language.  This helps us to access the core of our voice, and to release the intrinsic muscles so that they can cleanly operate.  In this phase we want to not manufacture a mature or pretentious sound, but to use our real authentic voice.  In this phase we should breath as if we are speaking.  If we take a breath for singing, we can create subglottal and supraglottal pressure.
Phase 2 -- Speaking with projection.  Projection is not speaking louder, but is speaking clearer with more intensity and focus.  If we are projecting correctly the sound is "natural, relaxed conversational speech, but with more energy and focus...Projection maintains the essence of the authentic voice and is essential to getting the core of the voice to fully vibrate."
Phase 3 -- Speaking with line.  In this phase we build upon the first two phases and prolong the sound so that it creates a line. Just like speaking with projection, speaking with line require energy, and equal intensity from one moment to the next.  It will feel like monotone speech.  This helps us to stay in the moment of creativity without making the sound happen, but letting it happen.
Phase 4 -- Speaking with projection and line on pitch.  In this phase we speak [ni]-[ne]-[na]-[no]-[nu].  We begin on the pitch where the speaking voice is resting.  This is not a range exercise, so we stay in a comfortable speaking range moving randomly up and down the scale, so the voice can start to make things happen.  This helps to keep the muscles in the larynx isolate and released, while fully vibrating.
Phase 5 -- Refining vowels.  The last phase in untangling our speech is to refine our vowels.   Diphthongs can cause obstacles in singing.  "To form pure, disentangled vowels, we must move the articulators (tongue, jaw, lips, and soft palate) in ways that are quite different from normal speech."  "The ultimate goal is to train the articulators to function independently of each other, which doesn't happen in normal speech."  It is very important not to press the root of the tongue downwards, because it puts pressure on the larynx, and forces the VF together.  The posture of the root of the tongue in free singing is up and back.
Key Terms: vernacular speech, intoned sound, projection, speaking with line
Key Concepts: Simply Speaking Simply is freeing the voice from outside manipulators, and letting the voice fully vibrate. "Get cracked, and stay cracked".
Making Connections: Simply speaking simply has been something that I've been working on a lot in my practice.  I've been trying to disentangle my singing voice to make it more free and authentic.  I feel like that is not only the best vehicle for authentic sound production but also for good breath and posture.  When I'm singing with my speaking voice, the notes are able to fall out, and I feel like I can express myself much easier.  This exercise has helped me to not think of singing, so that I can let the sounds happen, and not over adduct the VF.