Bric Slade SS Chapter 10

Bric Slade SS Chapter 10

Summary: Singing repertoire is a lot different than practicing the inventions, which in the end are simply vocalizes designed to loosen our voices for singing repertoire, a means to an end. The means being that we are trying to get our bodies naturally into a position that is healthy for singing. When we sing repertoire the goal is that we are already in this state of vocal preparation, and we are ready to improve on expression within the song rather than technique, having done this with the inventions beforehand.. Performing requires the legato line through vowel definition. Each vowel should be song with the least amount of resistance, regardless of any changes we may experience within the vowel. Speaking the vowels in falsetto with consonants is a good way to practice them with minimal resistance. Focusing on emotion fixes a lot of the problems we have with diction as well. Musicality is inherent in the voice. When we focus on the emotion of any given song we can naturally speak with clearer diction and more fluid musicality because emotion is what connects us to the piece.

Key Concepts: During performance, technique comes through focusing on what you are trying to say. Technique should already be a part of us, and we can access it through focusing on emotion.

Making Connections: In my last lesson I found that when I focused more on the emotional content of the piece I could LET things happen naturally a lot easier than if I was constantly aware of MAKING my tongue and the rest of my body relax. Emotion is have the battle of the piece anyway, and in ways, probably the most crucial. It is through emotion that we connect to our song, and our audience connects to us. All a singer has to do is be free and loose, and stay connected to the emotion of the piece.