Jake McKinney Chapter 5

What are the 2 functions of the larynx? To prevent food/water/foreign matter from entering the lungs and to act as a valve that, when closed, prevents air from leaving the lungs and supports the body for lifting things. Source of phonation
The thyroarytenoid muscle has two folds. What does each fold form? The upper set of folds forms the false vocal cords. The lower folds form the vocal folds. 
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? The beautiful sound has to start in the singers mind, or you'll be set up to fail. thats what I got out of it.
How does he suggest you develop a mental image of a beautiful sound? He says to picture it in your minds eye, and hear it in your minds ear, and to listen to many well trained singers. 
What is the danger in modeling your sound after a single artist? Because you may have a completely different voice than that artist. your voices and bodies are built completely different. So if you try to imitate someone, you will most likely be causing tension because it is not your own natural voice.
Describe the 3 phases of a musical tone. The onset is basically the most important thing in singing. If you have a good onset you are more likely to sing the whole phrase better. The sustention phase basically talks about breath support, you need to have energy and breath downward. The release phase should be really fast and accurate, like the air just comes in because your throat is open, not because you are sucking in air like crazy.
What are the four instructions quoted by McKinney from Van Christy? "The chest never collapses, nor do the shoulders move up and down when singing even the longest phrase..." 
"That they not attmpt 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 importance," 
"that effecient tone is basic for efficient breath control,"
 "that under no circumstances should the singer try to pull in' the diaphragm or control it's action consciously" 
Summarize the corrective procedures for hypofunctional singing. You need to teach the student to release all the sound that they can produce in a nice smooth line. He says to use humming as a good exercise for that. You could have them lift and sustain something on their arms to get their breath going and to engage the rest of their body. ( I did this at a coaching last summer at Lord Ballams opera company and it worked really well for me to be more released and all that stuff)
Summarize corrective procedures for hyperfunctional singing. You need to help them release the tension, wherever it may be in the body. try to help them have a big open space in the throat and mouth. With my students I have a lot of success when I give them a one word verbal cue and they correct pretty quick usually. I also ask them to monitor themselves so that they can tell if they are releases by themselves without the help of a teacher.