Voice teaching is complicated, but with simple guiding principles you can go from average instructor to great somatic vocal learning facilitator in no time.
HOW TO BE A BETTER VOICE TEACHER FOR YOUR SINGING STUDENTS
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The Singing Self
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Integration
UNTANGLING THE TONGUE – The Tongue at Rest and Resting in Action
We think of the tongue as one thing, but really it’s a complex organ made of many structures and connects, locally and globally, to many other parts of the self/body. Learning to release and coordinate the tongue in integrated action is key to optimal vocal function and expressivity!
VOICE TEACHERS – What is good teaching?
We think we know what teaching is, we think we know how to teach well, but is it possible that the whole premise of teaching is in need of some questioning? I think so. Here’s a whole case for learning to “teach” without teaching at all!
SINGING IN SYSTEMS – Is your diaphragm supporting your voice or your voice supporting your diaphragm – or BOTH?
Most singing approaches out there are futzing around with the “parts and pieces” of the system as if that were enough to organize and coordinate the entire system for complex actions. It’s insane. But, there is another way…
UNDERSTANDING VOCAL SUPPORT – The Bare Bones of Singing
We talk a lot about support in singing and usually about breath support, but there’s more, much more to this idea of support that has more to do with the skeleton than anything else. Learning to support one’s self and one’s singing skeletally changes everything.
The Best Way to Experience Big Vocal Improvements: Do Less, Sense More!
We think it’s best to do more all the time: sing more, practice more, exercise more, etc. in order to get better. But, that just isn’t the case! Here’s another way to get more by doing less…
The Two Main Obstacles to Vocal Learning
We humans are so sneaky: we make problems where there aren’t any and we even find ways to make the fact that something isn’t a problem a problem!
Stop getting in the way of your own learning and start celebrating small improvements.
ORIGINAL BREATH: What is “healthy breathing” and how can we find out for ourselves?
Well, that’s a tricky question! Some say: Healthy breathing is breathing in a certain way, diaphragmatically, for example (a Biomechanical approach). Others say: It’s all about the oxygen/CO2 exchange (a Biochemical approach) or that it’s about the rate and rhythm of...
Learning Triggers – and why singers should consider using them…
If you haven’t already, go out and get and read “The Art of Learning” by Josh Waitzkin. Josh was an internationally recognized childhood chess prodigy and later earned the title of world champion in Tai Chi Push Hands (Martial Arts). His book not only chronicles...