LaeKin Burgess McKinney chapter 5

What are the 2 functions of the larynx? 1. As a valve to stop food from going into the lungs 2. As a sound producer.

The thyroarytenoid muscle has two folds.  What does each fold form?  The upper folds form the true vocal folds and the lower folds form the false vocal folds.

When larynx functions as valve, which folds close? both folds assist in closing the air passage.

What 8 characteristics of good vocal sound does McKinney list?1. freely produced 2. Pleasant to listen to 3. Loud enough to be heard 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, forved 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? “If you cannot think a beautiful sound, it is an accident if you make one”

How does he suggest you develop a mental image of a beautiful sound? Listen intelligently to other singers. Arrive at a good vocal model.

What is the danger in modeling your sound after a single artist? Your physical attributes are different than any others so you may not be able to get the same sound out of yourself as another person. Also, professional singers have been trained and can demand more of their voices than you can.

Describe the 3 phases of a musical tone. Attack phase- good attack should be prepared mentally as well as physically to have a balanced, coordinated attack. Sustention phase- lasts from attack to release. Important to keep a tone steadily and evenly sustained. The release phase- there should be no doubt the sound has ended, it should be as exact as the onset.

What are the four instructions quoted by McKinney from Van Christy? 1. The chest never collapses nor do the shoulders move up or down ever. 2. They shouldn’t attempt to sing too long of phrases in one breath but consider the quality of the tone most important. 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.

Summarize the corrective procedures for hypofunctional singing. Take a comfortable breath and think of a hum, you will feel the VF close. The same will happen if you pull the abdominals in hard. If you begin the hum you should bring the teeth together and try to feel a lot of buzziness. Then drop the teeth and try to keep the same amount of vibration on the roof of the mouth. Should not be breathy.

Summarize corrective procedures for hyperfunctional singing. Relax, roll the head and shoulders, loosen the muscles. Stand in front of a mirror and watch for any signs of tension. Picture the sound before you start the pitch. Breeathe easily as if you are going to yawn. Start the sound merely by thinking. Speak one while prolonging the “N” sound and concentrate on the vibrations. Use nono no and ne ne ne and noonoonoo.