Sam Meredith SS Ch. 5 Summary

Sam
Chapter 5 Summary-Constant and generous air supply is one of the keystones of healthy singing. To establish consistency in the flow of air we must do exercises that allow us to eliminate the action of the vocal folds as much as possible. We can do this by singing in our falsetto voice. Although we phonate when we sing in falsetto only the outer skin of the vocal folds (and not the actual muscle) come together. Thus we can, through these exercises regulate the flow of air in all ranges of our voice without doing any damage to the vocal folds. The first phase of achieving free flowing air is a downward sigh. We do this by starting on a high falsetto pitch on an [o] vowel. We then descend as long as possible. When it is no longer possible to sing in falsetto the singer should switch to full voice and switch to an 'ah' vowel. The next exercise is known as the siren. We start on an 'ah' vowel in the lower part of the voice and ascend up to an [o] vowel. The voice should almost immediately change to a falsetto tone and the singer should gradually round their lips to change from 'ah' to [o]. It is important to note that the same jaw position should be maintained even after the switch to [o] has been made. It is also important to note that it isn't important how high we get, but how we get high is important. If we get to the point where it puts tension in our body to go any higher, we have gone to high. We want to avoid practicing this behavior. The next exercise is similar to the siren. We start on 'ah' in our speaking range, make the transition to [o] and then at the peak of our range we sing a descending 5-tone scale. It is important in this exercise to maintain the purity of the vowel so as to maintain the good space in the larynx that comes with it. We do this exercise again a half step lower and repeat that step until we arrive back at the singers normal speaking range. As in the first exercise, when it is no longer possible to sing in falsetto we are to switch to the 'ah' vowel in full voice.
Key Concept-We need free flowing air in order to sing properly. We can achieve this in a way that doesn't put unnecessary pressure on the vocal folds. We should sing on an [o] vowel and descend as far as we can in our falsetto voice. Then we do the opposite by starting in our speaking voice, moving to falsetto, going as high as we can comfortably, and coming back down. Next we refine this exercise by singing a descending 5-tone scale at the peak of our ascent.
Key Terms- Falsetto, Vocalis Muscle, Resistence
Making Connections- I really want to continue to incorporate these kinds of exercises into my vocal practice. I think they will do lot to help me eliminate some of the pressure in my voice and in my body when I sing.