The Naked Voice: Introduction to Invention & Chapter 4
Emily Cottam
Chapter Summary: Chiaro: speaking, phonation, bright, core. Oscuro: breathing, airflow, dark. Qualifiers of speech: projection, line, defined vowels, our whole instrument. Invention number one is meant to release the singer of their entanglements in speech and thus in singing by separating and isolating the intrinsic muscles of the voice box from the extrinsic muscles and eliminate subglottal pressure. (1) Begin by speaking the five basic vowels with “blatty” speech to get rid of pretentious sound. Take simple breaths as if you’re going to speak, not speak. (2) “Real projection is natural, relaxed conversational speech, but with more energy and focus.” (3) Continuous and spontaneous creativity in speech helps with keeping a linear speech pattern and helps with projection. (4) Have singer speak the vowels with “n” with line and projection and find the note closest to where they speak. Spontaneously choose a pitch at least a third away from the original pitch. (5) Refine the vowels by using vernacular speech. Clean out diphthongs when working on the five pure vowels exercise. The base of the tongue, when relaxed, is up and back.
Key Concepts: The first Invention is designed to eliminate unnecessary strain and flexing of external muscles, rather than the ones that are necessary for singing. Begin with simplistic speech on simple vowels, using spontaneity, creativity, and no pretentiousness as one would in vernacular speech and later apply projection, line, and pitch.
Key Terms: chiaroscuro, invention, projection, line, spontaneity
Making Connections: Working with Brianna, the concept of having a relaxed tongue and “singing like you speak” has been really emphasized during my lessons. I like the idea of starting simply and slowly adding musicality after each step has been mastered.
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