Chapter Summary: Voices can be ruined like other muscles through overuse and unnecessary strain. We must be especially cautious of the developing and untrained voice, though any voice can be ruined no matter the extent of maturation and development through misuse. The discussion about the similarities and differences between youth and adult voices is particularly helpful in this chapter. Everyone has a larynx, produces pitch by thinking and letting, is unique in sound and size, has individual capacity, and can be hurt by doing too much. While there is a lot in common between a young immature voice and an adult voice there are also special differences to be aware of. Young singers have greater lung pressure in proportion to the size of their larynx than do adults. Younger voices tend to be light, breathy, and lyrical while adult voices can express wider range of emotion, intensity, and dynamic. It would be a mistake then to expect a young voice to achieve the same things an adult voice can when so much depends on physical maturation.
Key Concept: The biggest threat to healthy growth of your voice is trying to do too much too soon.
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Making Connections: Again, I'm especially interested in young singers as I look to a future in teaching middle or high school aged students very soon, and as I'm going to be working with children 9 to 11 years old this spring for Tarzan. I have to take responsibility for their vocal health and guide them in the right direction, just as I have to take responsibility for my own vocal health and know my limits. I'm always pushed to do too much and my voice isn't ready to do a lot of things, but I'm becoming more self aware and I need to be cautious as I proceed with myself and those I teach.
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