Laura B SS Chapter 2

Laura B
Chapter Summary: Speech is the first creative process that a human makes. From the time we were born, we learned that making sounds was a way to communicate and we received positive reinforcement every time we came closer to making words. From the time we started figuring out communication, we each learned an authentic way of speech from our environment. When we speak, we seldom think about the exact inflections of our voice and the way we express ourselves. However when singing, we focus way more on the way we sound. When learning to sing, it is best to start with singing in our vernacular speech instead of trying to create something foreign in our voices. In some cases, speech does not come as naturally due to what the author deemed "environmental contaminants." Sometimes, people attempt to change the way they speak to be perceived as smarter or more prestigious. However, the author observed that people tend to be happier and more connected with their authentic self when they do not try to block their original vernacular.
Key Concept: Embrace your natural way of speaking in order to find the true core of your voice.
Key Terms: phonation, source of utterance, speaking, sound production, inflection, tone of voice, contaminated speech patterns, vernacular speech, articulators, core of the voice
Making Connections: I often oversee how important speaking is in singing. As I have sung more like my speaking, I have noticed that my singing flows more smoothly and I feel more connected with my body. I need to make sure that I am connecting to the way that I speak the lyrics before I sing them.