|
Vocal quality is
the element of singing which initially attracts the listener's
attention and determines whether he wishes to hear more.
There are three major components of vocal quality:
- physical structure of head, neck and vocal tract
- the co-ordination of the mechanism (voice box) for singing
- the imagination of the singer and the levels of health
and energy.
The most musically proficient student
must be born with favourable physical characteristics if
she/he hopes to become a great singer.
For singing teachers:
Ideally the bony
structure of the head is reasonably symmetrical (but there
are often minor alterations). A high, wide dental arcade
allows maximum space for resonance, and the shape and length
of the vocal tract including the palate, and the size and
length of the vocal folds, all to help to determine potential
quality.
The truly great singer will be well-endowed in these respects.
The most favourable condition of the pharynx for optimum vocal quality are
an elevated soft palate, comfortable low larynx, relaxed tongue, and a sense
of balance rather than tension on the neck and chest
Meribeth goes on to say on the subject
of tension "Muscular over-reaction to what
the singer is trying to accomplish causes singers the greatest
trouble." She goes onto note six areas of such tension. They
are:
- Overly active facial muscles
- Position and movement of the lower jaw
- Rigidity of the tongue
- Tension in the neck
- Tension in the chest
- Emotional tension
Reference
*Bunch, Meribeth
(1997). Dynamics of the Singing Voice fourth edition, Springer
Wien: New York, pgs 102-104.
|
