Sam Meredith SS Ch. 2 Summary

Sam
Chapter 2 Summary-Speaking is the original creative activity and stems from "the source of utterance" or every individuals innate desire to express feelings and emotion through communicating with others. Many would not consider speaking to be a creative activity simply because we don't need to think deeply about it in order to do it, but in reality speaking engages all facets of our lives. Not only is physical action required to speak, but also when we speak we also convey thoughts, feelings, and emotions that could not otherwise be expressed. Speaking is also much more than simply the words we say. How we say the words can completely change the meaning of our speech. Because of it's effortlessness and creative requirements, speaking is, therefore, the perfect parallel to singing. We need the same amount of creativity when we sing, but we also are much better singers when we can access the subconscious freedom that we have when speaking when we sing. In order to achieve this close relationship between our speaking voice and singing voice we must allow ourselves and our students to speak in a way that is most comfortable for them--we need to have them speak in their own vernacular. There are many environmental factors that can cause someone to abandon their vernacular speech, but this is a pretense that will make it difficult to find authenticity when said person is singing. Once we have allowed someone to feel natural and free in their own speech, then we can add the necessary refinements that make good singing possible.
Key Concept-Speaking is our first and most innate creative activity. It employs the same physical, mental, and emotional tactics as good singing does, but in a more effortless, subconscious way. We can, therefore, find a marvelous parallel between singing and speaking. Great singing can be much more easily achieved when it can be done with the same ease as speaking.
Key Terms-Source of Utterance, Vernacular Speech
Making Connections- As a student and as a voice teacher I need to work so that my singing has some of the same qualities as my speaking. I can achieve that by having myself and my students speak the text of the songs they are singing so they can get a better feeling of what it should sound like when they sing. I can also encourage myself and my students to be themselves when they speak the text so that the singing is then done without any pretense.