Dad, Peter Genaro and me at a dance workshop in the 1970s “The truth is, I’ve been lucky. But just like the waltz, life has its own rhythm of rise and fall.” Len Goodman Here in Chicago, the cicadas are out in force. In my area, I awaken to hear a low hum in the […]
Developing Voices
Centering Vocal Pitch Is Not Difficult, and Can Be Great Fun!
By Stuart Hunt Beside accurate counting, looking ahead to “pre-hear” rhythms and pitch (audiating), singing accurately and in-tune is a primary skill for all vocalists. But is it typically taught, or just caught? Our instrumental colleagues have posters that read “Tune it or die !”, which presumably refers to effort, not impending doom. Think about […]
Why are you doing What you are doing?
It’s important to think of the voice as not residing just in the pharynx. Think of the voice as being part of the mind and the body. Vocal exercises should have a reason behind why each and every one is done.
Building Ensemble Sound With Chant
With the foundation well-established with science-based approach to choral pedagogy, use chant and chorales as training tools to find newfound health for the voices.
Kinesthetic Gestures to Aid Your Choir
by Jennifer Berroth, Contributing Author, DevelopingVoices.blog Movement is often used to engage a singer’s breath, energy, and musicianship. Young singers can benefit from using gestures throughout a rehearsal to help them understand musical concepts they are performing. Here are some kinesthetic gestures I use to help my own singers. Staccato gestures Staccato phrases can […]
The Breathy Girl’s Changing Voice
During adolescence, girls experience insufficient closure of the vocal folds, leading to a breathy tone. As girls enter adulthood these indications naturally resolve.