Emily C., McKinney, Ch. 5

Emily C., McKinney, Ch. 5

• What are the 2 functions of the larynx?
• To serve as a valve that keeps foreign matter out of the lungs. And holds breath to help in bodily exertion. Phonation is a superimposed function. 
• The thyroarytenoid muscle has two folds.  What does each fold form?
• The lower set form the true vocal folds or the vocalis muscle. The upper set are the false folds or ventricular bands. 
• When larynx functions as valve, which folds close?
• Both sets assist in closing the air passage. 
• What 8 characteristics of good vocal sound does McKinney list?
• Freely produced
• Pleasant to listen to
• Loud enough to be heard easily
• Rich, ringing, resonant
• Energy flows smoothly between notes
• Consistent production
• Vibrant, dynamic, alive
• Flexibly expressive
• What 8 negative characteristics does he list?
• Constricted, forced, strained
• Strident or rasping
• Too loud, like shouting or yelling
• Hoarse
• Breathy
• Weak, colorless, devitalized
• Inconsistent production
• Shaky it wobbly
• What does McKinney have to say about thinking and sound production?
• If you cannot think it, you cannot sing it
• How does he suggest you develop a mental image of a beautiful sound?
• Listen intelligently to many artist singers and live performances. 
• What is the danger in modeling your sound after a single artist?
• Physical differences can make similar sound production difficult or impossible. Novice singers aren't "strong" enough to sing the same, and you become a pale imitation. 
• Describe the 3 phases of a musical tone.
• Attack: or onset. The start of the sound determines the outcome 
• Sustention: the moments from onset to release. 
• Release: should be instantaneous with firmness and precision.
• What are the four instructions quoted by McKinney from Van Christy?
• For phonation:
• That the chest never collapses and shoulders do not bounce even in long phrases. 
• Do not attempt to sing too long phrases on one breath but always maintain quality of tone and sufficient breath reserve firstly
• Efficient tone is basic for efficient breath control 
• Under no circumstances should the singer "pull in" the diaphragm or directly control it. 
• Summarize the corrective procedures for hypofunctional singing.
• Humming 
• More energy or louder
• Gentle lifting exercises
• Imitate opera singer
• Good posture and breathing habits
• Activate breath support mechanism by exercises
• Sing to last row of an auditorium
• Emoting
• Listen to good singers 
• Vocalize on forward vowels
• Nasal consonants 
• Imitate tight sounds as a means to an end
• Summarize corrective procedures for hyperfunctional singing.
• Exercises for relaxation of general body tension 
• Studio atmosphere conducive to relaxation and self confidence 
• Establish good posture and breathing habits 
• Reduce excess tension in support mechanism
• Maintain beginning if yawn position 
• Exercises for balanced or soft attack
• Awareness if desired tonal goals
• Vocalize on vowels with lip rounding or back vowels
• Vocalize with consonants that help free the jaw
• Deliberately using breathy sound as a means to an end.