Summary: "Seeing ourselves clearly, we have the power to change. Change brings freedom, and freedom enables us to speak with pure intention - the original source of utterance..." I love that way to start out the chapter! In his first invention, Smith focuses on getting the singer to speak without entanglements. By this, he means speaking only using intrinsic muscles, not extrinsic. He gives a four step process by which to accomplish this:
1. Vernacular Speaking: the way we naturally speak is usually less entangled than typical singing. He has the singer speak [ni nE na no nu] very simply, with out unnecessary muscle involvement.
2. Speaking with Projection: This step is very similar to the previous, but just at a louder volume level. This is not shouting, but shouting usually involves tension. Projection is created through greater focus, not effort.
3. Speaking with Line: The word line indicates continuity, uninterrupted flow. This is a change from our normal vernacular, which usually declines in energy at the end of the phrase. Line is achieved not through holding an energized posture, but from constantly reiterating it.
4. Speaking with Projection and Line on Pitch: Every person has a naturally speaking pitch around which they normally talk. We start on that pitch, and do the same exercises from phase 1, but on that pitch and with line. This is not a range building exercise, so only 2 whole steps away from the starting pitch will suffice.
5. Refining the Vowels: There are specifics for each vowel, but the overarching principle is this: jaw is always in the [a] position, and the articulators alone make changes for the other vowels. This process takes a lifetime to master.
Key Terms:
entanglement
vernacular
subglottal
supraglottal
articulators
Key Concepts: Free singing originates from free speech.
Making Connections: I now understand why my [a] vowel is the most difficult to refine! Thank you Stephen Smith for not making me feel dumb!
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