Vocal Technique : A Physiologic Approach

This textbook provides singers and teachers of singing the essential information regarding anatomic and physiologic functions connected with the speaking and singing process so that singers will learn to develop their technique fully and thus, maintain optimal technical skill and vocal health throughout a long singing and/or teaching career.

"Vocal Technique: A Physiologic Approach, Second Edition" builds upon the premise firmly established in its first edition -- a singer who understands how his or her body functions when speaking and singing will necessarily be a better singer and teacher of singing. As such, it is the ideal text for voice classes and lessons at the university level as well as for voice lessons in the independent studio. Because it is so comprehensive, including anatomy, posture, breath management, physiology of tone production, achieving resonance, IPA, classification of voices, healthcare for singers, a logical method for learning repertoire, stage deportment, and technology in the voice studio, it is also an excellent book for teaching vocal pedagogy.This text provides the essential information regarding anatomic and physiologic functions connected with the speaking and singing process so that singers will learn to develop their technique fully and thus, maintain optimal technical skill and vocal health throughout a long singing and/or teaching career.The technical aspects of singing are discussed in detail, giving the singer the tools to apply this technique to a wide variety of repertoire and languages. The author provides a thorough introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and its application to the English, Italian, French, German, and Castilian Spanish languages. The material provided here is supplemented with a PluralPlus companion website that provides the singing student and voice teacher with slide presentations on individual chapters, additional presentations on related aspects of practicing, interpretation, and performing, video demonstrations of vocal exercises, and a lengthy presentation on the classification of voices with links to professional performances for each vocal category.Features new to this "second edition" include: A brand new chapter on "Science and Technology in the Voice Studio", including links to sites providing equipment and software for the voice studio; updated illustrations detailing anatomy and physiologic function; updates to every chapter to improve comprehensibility, especially the chapter covering the use of IPA; updated information on health and nutrition to reflect recent research in the field; a list of recommended sources where singers and teachers can download free and/or inexpensive music for use in the voice class or studio; links to additional information sources, including links to performances related to the classification of voices.