Elizabeth T McKinney Ch. 5

What are the 2 functions of the larynx? 1. serves as a valve which keeps food, drink, and other foreign matter out of the lungs.  2. phonation.

The thyroarytenoid muscle has two folds.  What does each fold form? the lower is the vocalis muscle/internal TA, and the upper are the false folds/ventricular bands. 

When larynx functions as valve, which folds close? Both

What 8 characteristics of good vocal sound does McKinney list?

1. Freely produced

2. Pleasant to listen to

3. Loud enough to be heard easily

4. Rich, ringing, and resonant

5. Energy flows smoothly from note to note

6. Consistently produced

7. Vibrant, dynamic, and alive

8. Flexibly expressive

What 8 negative characteristics does he list?

1. Constricted, forced, or strained

2. Strident or rasping

3. Too loud, resembling shouting or yelling

4. Hoarse

5. Breathy

6. Weak, colorless, or devitalized

7. Inconsistently produced

8. Shaky or wobbly

What does McKinney have to say about thinking and sound production? Beautiful sounds start in the mind of the singer.  You must learn to “picture” the sound in your mind’s eye and “hear” it in your mind’s ear before it can become a consistent reality. 

How does he suggest you develop a mental image of a beautiful sound? Listen intelligently to a sizable number of artist singers. 

What is the danger in modeling your sound after a single artist?

1. Your body is so different than theirs that you may never be able to create their sound without strain.

2. A mature singer with much professional experience can demand more of the voice than a novice.

3. You won’t have individuality!

Describe the 3 phases of a musical tone. The attack phase, the sustention phase, and the release phase.

What are the four instructions quoted by McKinney from Van Christy?

1. That the chest never collapses, nor do the shoulders move up or down when singing even the longest phrase

2. That they not attempt to sing too long phrases on one breath, but always maintain good quality of tone and sufficient breath reserve first, with the long ideal phrase second in that importance

3. That efficient tone is basic for efficient breath control

4. That under no circumstance should the singer try to “pull in” the diaphragm or control its action consciously.

Summarize the corrective procedures for hypofunctional singing.

Indirect methods to get the vocal folds to close better.  One of those is thinking of a hum.  You can also ask the student to employ more energy while singing.  This lack of energy could be arising from a number of problems (timidity, shallow breathing, poor voice models, etc.)

Summarize corrective procedures for hyperfunctional singing.