Sarah Boucher SS Chapter 1 Summary

Sarah Boucher SS Chapter 1 Summary
Chapter Summary: Unlike other instruments, the voice is not mechanical because all three components (Generator, Resonator and Vibrator) reside within our bodies. Smith's approach to the voice therefore is wholistic, meaning that he focuses on the why and not just temporarily fixing the symptoms. We need to come to know our voices through allowing ourselves to become vulnerable. Good vocal technique can be developed by returning to the basics: breathing and speaking.
Key Points:
-In the voice, the airflow is the generator, the vocal folds are the vibrators and the resonators are the nasal cavity, mouth and pharynx.
-Resonance is passive but airflow and phonation are active.
-We can not manipulate the voice because it is internal.
-"Speaking is the original creative activity"
-The main difference in voices does not stem from the instruments themselves but how people use them.
-Do not analyze your singing while you are singing!
-Vulnerability is key to developing good vocal technique.
Key Terms:
-Wholism
-Generator
-Resonator
-Vibrator
-Bernoulli Effect
-Gesalt
-Self-actualization
Making Connections: Something that really stood out to me in this chapter was when Smith talked about analyzing and how we should not be analyzing while we are singing. I have never really thought about that before but it makes complete sense. If we are analyzing while we are singing we are not giving a true performance. We need to step out of the way while we sing it, and then make corrections and analyze the sound after we finish in order to really know what to fix! This is brilliant and I need to apply it to my daily practice!!