Chapter Summary: Smith discusses his theory on "the source of utterance." As babies, our first natural instinct is to communicate through speech (crying). Young children are encouraged to improve their ability to communicate with the world around them. In general, they develop a style of speaking that is healthy and comfortable for their voice. Singing should be as effortless, healthy, and natural as speech. When we use affected vowels for singing, we distance ourselves from the audience. Smith connects student's singing with their vernacular speech, so that it is most natural to them.
Key Concepts: Speech is our instinctive mode of expression and communication. Our speech is natural to us. Our singing voice should be rooted in our natural speech, this makes it more authentic and meaningful. Some choose to change their natural speech due to their environment.
Key Terms:
Source of utterance - our basic need to express ourselves through sound/speech
vernacular - our most natural and honest way of speaking
Making Connections: We've been talking about his so much since Thomas Glen came here! It's wonderful to read about it and explore the idea of speech like singing deeper. My question is, how do you find your vernacular speech? Does Smith have exercises or suggestions for rediscovering that? After reading this chapter I also think I need to discuss methods of incorporating my natural speech with my voice with Cindy. I think that in trying to find better vowels for singing, Cindy and I may be straying from my natural speech. I know that I want eventually make my vowels taller and more unified, but I'm nor sure I'm ready to yet, since I haven't found my natural speech in my singing yet. We must discuss!
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