Duke Voice Care Center "Care of the Singing Voice Workshop: How to Make Your Voice Last a Lifetime"

Greetings,

This post is intended to supplement the linked PDF of the Powerpoint presentation used at the “Care of the Singing Voice” Workshop presented by Duke Voice Care Center at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh on 4.14.12.

The pdf of the presentation was provided to me to share with you by Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP, at the Duke Voice Care Center. It is full of great information on this topic!

I bolded pages to major topics to serve as an index and included highlights, referenced videos which won’t appear on the PDF, and some additional notes and comments [in brackets].

Thanks, Leda! It was a great workshop! Thanks, also,  to Yuri Yamamoto for organizing the event.

I hope you find this useful! Please let me know!

Best always,

Catherine

Highlights, Additional Notes, Comments and Referenced videos

from

“Care of the Singing Voice” Workshop presented by Duke Voice Care Center at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh on 4.14.12

Page 9-17: Normal Voice Production

In human voice production, lungs are the actuators of the power supply.

Page 12

Excess, prolonged pressure on the vocal folds causes damage to the vocal folds.

Page 15

The consistency of healthy vocal folds is like Jello.

Video of healthy vocal folds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv4evDGLgjQ

Page 17

Stroboscopy: video of female vocal cords at high and low pitch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpOXecWC5Dw

Page 18-30: What Happens When Things Goes Wrong?

Page 21

Caffeine, alcohol, smoking and second hand smoke are all harmful to the singing voice. Drink LOTS of water all day! At least eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day!

Page 31-55:  Management (Behavioral, Medical, Surgical)

Page 33

Vocal Hygiene: The things we do to keep the voice healthy

·      Taking care of the body

·      Using the voice well

Page 56- 68: Vocal Pacing

Page 57

Vocal Pacing Golden Rule!

Warm up your voice before singing, cool down your voice after singing.

Page 67

Special Considerations for Music Directors/Choral Conductors

•Warm up your voice before rehearsal

•Use amplification for your voice during rehearsal

•Use printed signs or hand signals to communicate messages that you say over and over

•Minimize using your voice to teach the music

Recommended use of:

Spokeman Personal Voice Amplifier

Can be purchased here.

Page 69: How will I know if I Have a Voice Injury?

Page 72-81: Singing Styles and Techniques

·      Mechanics of Singing  (General, Classical, and Belting)

Page 82-89: Acoustics of Singing/ Physics of Sound

Page 91:  Speaking and Singing Voice Exercise

Emphasis of proper skeletal alignment and good body use. [I recommend study of the Alexander Technique and/or Feldenkrais to improve ease and quality of singing and playing!]

Page 86

Referenced video: Joseph Callejo: Nessun Dorma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn16xQxo0vc

[I prefer this perfermance: Jussi Bjorling "Nessun dorma" Live 1958]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdL483b4kao&feature=fvwrel

Page 87

Referenced video: Adele: Rolling in the Deep 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ckIulg1DfQ&feature=related

Page 90-111: Vocal Exercise for Singing

[Lots of great suggestions. We spent 30 minutes in the workshop practicing these.]

"Bare Necessities" of Breathing

Greetings,

This week I have been rereading Lea Pearson's excellent book Body Mapping for Flutists.

On p. 87, Lea suggests learning to release the gluteal muscles for better breathing by thinking of Baloo from Disney's The Jungle Book animated movie.

I hope you enjoy this infectiously happy clip from The Jungle Book. While you watch, be aware of the back side of your body and, as Lea says, "shake your booty!"

Best,
Catherine

The Pez Dispenser vs. The Nutcracker

Greetings,

The images represent 2 distinct "mappings" of the jaw.

"Pez" throws his head back using his neck muscles to open his mouth. This puts extreme stress on his vocal cords, throat, and upper back. "Nutcracker" drops his jaw open from it's natural hinge.

So...breathe more like Mr. Nutcracker, avoiding the "flip-top head" syndrome demonstrated by Mr. Pez. Even better is to breathe most of the time from the sides of your mouth, leaving your jaw in a neutral,natural position.

Happy Breathing!
Catherine

"Classic" Breath Builder

Greetings,
This video and article from the early days of my website (2006) has tried and true information. The Breath Builder still rules!
Best,
Catherine

The Breath Builder is a self-teaching device. Its primary lesson is the effortless, complete exchange of air at either end of the breath, without any holding or physical tension. It is a visual aid for learning the concept of breath support and also aids improvement of breathing efficiency and of lung capacity.

Developed by the late bassoonist Harold Hansen of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Breath Builder is a translucent plastic cylinder closed on the bottom with 3 holes on top and a ping pong ball inside. The 3 holes and the 2 accompanying plastic tubes with different diameters can be used to control resistance to your air movement. The object is to keep the ping pong ball at the top of the cylinder while blowing into the Breath Builder and also while sucking the breath back through the device. The air is always moving in or out, never stopping. Very simply, if the blowing is steady and the breath exchanges well, the ping pong ball stays at the top of the plastic cylinder.

Tips for Use of the Breath Builder:

I suggest using the larger tube. The smaller one tends to increase physical tension. Begin by blowing into the tube to raise the ping pong ball to the top of the plastic cylinder. Once you have mastered this, while the ping pong ball is at the top, try sucking the air back through the tube without letting the ball drop.

Blow from the front of your mouth. Try to release the air from your lips. Careful not to overdo. Begin with one or two exchanges of air.

Try sucking the air back from the tube and then performing a task; play or sing a phrase or execute some other physical action while you release the breath you just sucked throughout the tube.

Be sure the sternum does not compress as you blow into the machine. This causes unnecessary tension and inefficient release of the breath. Allow your spine to lengthen as you release each breath.
Buy Now!

Caution: Avoid repeating this process until becoming dizzy! Stop immediately if you feel dizzy and rest until the feeling passes. While learning to use the breath builder, please sit down.

Great 3-D animation of diagrphagm breathing funtion

This is great!
Catherine

Respiration explained

Greetings!


Perhaps more than you ever wanted to know about how breathing works.

Catherine

Link for Keith Underwood Ghost Ranch Interviews on Buzzing, etc.

Greetings,

Many of you have been asking how to easily access all of the Keith Underwood Interview postings on this blog. You can find them by clicking on the label "Ghost Ranch" in the right column or by going to this url:

http://catherinelegrand.blogspot.com/search/label/Ghost%20Ranch

Thanks for your interest and I hope you find this information very useful!

All the best,
Catherine

Interview with Keith Underwood, Part 7

Here is Part 7 of the August 18, 2007 Ghost Ranch Interview.

Tongue-Controlled Embouchure and Support

Additional segments of this interview coming in September and October:

• On Ideal Vibrato Speed
• On Creating an Open and Supportive Atmosphere

I am grateful for the information and inspirations I have received from Keith over the past 15 or so years, and I am delighted to share this video interview with Keith filmed on August 18, 2007 at Ghost Ranch, NM.

I invite you to subscribe to this blog to be the first to read future interview segments.

Thanks, Keith, for answering my questions, for this interview and throughout the years!

Best,
Catherine

Breathing Coordination Website: Carl Stough

Breathing Coordination - Home Page

This page provides 4 photos from the animated video Carl Stough developed after years of research. This animated video which shows the function of the diaphragm and associated movement of the ribs is highly recommended by Keith Underwood.

I suggest having a look at this website while working with the Interview with Keith Underwood, Part 6: Timing and Sequence of Events for a Breath. The website will help you visualize how the sequence of the Breath looks on the inside!


Here is a quote from the website:

"The concept of Breathing CoordinationTM was the result of ten years of medical research started in 1958 by Carl Stough and elaborated by Reece Stough in 1964 for advanced researchers in the international respiratory field. Every physical and emotional problem, to some degree, is the result of an insufficiency of oxygen. The diaphragm works to achieve a maximum exhale. This is necessary in order to maintain a low residual volume of carbon dioxide in the lungs. The diaphragm, which is a primarily involuntary muscle-organ, is the foundation for the entire respiratory system. It affects the two other main systems of the body, the circulatory and nervous systems. The term Breathing Coordination is the name given to the exact way the respiratory system is designed to function at maximum efficiency with minimum effort."

Another page gives information on self-help for developing good breathing coordination and specific help for people with asthma.

I have been told the video was withdrawn from the website pending the settlement of Stough's estate, but this page gets the idea across. If you know someone with a copy of this video, I encourage you to have a look. I certainly hope this great tool eventually reappears on the internet!

Best,
Catherine

Interview with Keith Underwood, Part 6

Here is Part 6 of the August 18, 2007 Ghost Ranch Interview.

Timing and Sequence of Events for a Breath

Additional segments of this interview coming in September and October:

• Tongue-Controlled Embouchure and Support
• On Ideal Vibrato Speed
• On Creating an Open and Supportive Atmosphere

I am grateful for the information and inspirations I have received from Keith over the past 15 or so years, and I am delighted to share this video interview with Keith filmed on August 18, 2007 at Ghost Ranch, NM.

I invite you to subscribe to this blog to be the first to read future interview segments.

Thanks, Keith, for answering my questions, for this interview and throughout the years!

Best,
Catherine

Interview with Keith Underwood, Part 4

"Please provide a Buzzing 101: Syllabus…"

Here is the fourth installment of the interview.

Additional segments coming in September and October:

• More Buzzing Exercises, Lip Vibrato, and Tuning
• Timing and Sequence of Events for a Breath
• Tongue-Controlled Embouchure and Support
• On Ideal Vibrato Speed
• On Creating an Open and Supportive Atmosphere

I am grateful for the information and inspirations I have received from Keith over the past 15 or so years, and I am delighted to share this video interview with Keith filmed on August 18, 2007 at Ghost Ranch, NM.

I invite you to subscribe to this blog to receive future interview segments short enough to post here. Longer segments will be posted at my website and I will announce the postings in this blog.

Thank you, Keith, for answering my questions, for this interview and throughout the years!

Sincere best wishes to my readers,
Catherine

New video series: Flutorials™

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity".
--Charles Mingus

"Flutorials™" is a new series of progressive video lessons for novice flutists, intended as supplemental material to enhance what the student is learning in flute lessons or band class.

Lesson 1: "Hot Cross Buns," now posted in the LeGrand Virtual Studio, presumes the student already knows how to make a sound on the headjoint, how to assemble and hold the flute, and how to play the low notes: B, A, and G.

Students are often overwhelmed with a task that seems too large, complicated or, even, amazing, to approach. The video lesson guides the student through some small, manageable steps to learn the complete song.

Teachers, I hope these Flutorials™ help you with your teaching, too! The art of simplifying is one of our most valuable teaching tools!

Look for more Flutorials™ in September!

Best,
Catherine

Alexander Technique with Glenna Batson

On June 30, several studio members participated in an afternoon of individual Alexander Technique lessons with Glenna Batson, PT, MA.

Glenna is an internationally recognized teacher of the Alexander Technique (qualifying in 1988), and is in residence at the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. A graduate of Hahnemann Medical University in Physical Therapy, she received her doctorate in clinical neuroscience in 2006.

I am grateful we had this opportunity to receive her wise guidance, and, also, that I was invited by all concerned to observe and videotape these sessions. I look forward to future opportunities to learn from Glenna.

New Video posting: Glenna and Bruce J. allowed me to post video excerpts from Bruce's lesson, focused on improving his breathing, in the LeGrand Virtual Studio. (I apologize for the moments the camera was not on the tripod...)

I hope this info is helpful. Let me hear from you! Feel free to post your blog comments for others to read. We are a small and friendly community.

I had a lesson at my desk with Glenna, who is also an expert in treatment and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries, that day. I learned how to use my desk chair to provide constant feedback to keep my spine flexible during the long hours I now spend at the computer producing content for the LeGrand Virtual Studio, and, also, how to approach my computer mouse by leading with the outside of my fingers to reach the mouse without tightening my pectoralis muscles or raising my shoulder. I have lots of opportunity to practice these new ways of thinking. I am doing it right now!

Integrating lessons from the Alexander Technique into daily activities is a great way to improve your music making as you replace old habits of movement with ones that work better.

For more information on the Alexander Technique or to find a teacher in your area visit http://www.alexandertechnique.com/.

Life is a process.

Catherine