Vocal Anatomy
Teeth, Hard palate, alveolar ridge
Name 3 inactive articulators
State of readiness in the muscles
What is Tonus?
What are 3 "Good" and 3 "Bad" Practice habits?
Good:
Metronomes, taking breaks, self recording, mirrors, practice journal, mindful and focused practice
Bad:
Distracted practice, not warming up, over practicing, unfocused and haphazard practice
Break, register transition event
What is the Passagio?
Name either:
-3 German consonants that change their pronunciation in a word
-2 Letters that change their sound when placed between two vowels
Final: B/D/G/
Initial:S
-Intervocalic:
S/R
What are the three main cartilages of the larynx used for singing and what combinations of them are used for making pitch, ring, vocal registers, etc?
Thyroid Cartilage
Cricoid Cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilage
TA: thickens/shortens VF; primary factor in chest register
CT: Lengthens/thins VF; primary factor in head register and raising pitch
Give an example of Noble posture and why it is good for singing
Tall, aligned posture with feet hips width apart
Creates stability for the body, supports projection, tonality, and confidence
What are habits singers should follow that are do not involve diet, exercise, or sleep?
Not talking for too loudly or too long, extended singing at the extremes of range
unsupported singing, strained singing, poor practice habits
Range, Tessitura, Melody, Language/Text, Rhythm/Meter
What should you consider when choosing a new piece of music?
What is the general rule for determining Open or Closed vowels when using IPA?
Closed: 0-1 Consonants after vowel
Open: 2+ consonants
What are the 3 sections of the pharynx?
Nasopharynx: bw bass of skull and soft palate
Oropharynx (Oral Pharynx): soft palate to middle of epiglottis
Laryngopharynx: middle of epigottis to lower border of cricoid cartilage
Breathy, Balanced, Pressed
What are the 3 different types of Onset and Release?
Describe a pre, during, and post performance routine for a singer.
What is chiaroscuro
Bright and Dark
Optimal tone/resonance with zero tension, open vocal tract, and three dimensional sound
Most efficient and healthy sound for long term
Identify the sound and types of the 5 main Vowels: A E I O U
(Closed, open, short, long, etc)
Diaphragm and External Intercostals
Abdomen and Internal Intercostals
What muscles are used for inspiration and expiration in Breathing and/or singing?
What is Apoggio? What is Breath support?
Apoggio - to lean
Breath Support - relationship between the inspiration/expiration muscles to control airflow
What are 3 things you can do to take care of mental or emotional health?
Breathwork, Body awareness, grounding techniques, Work/life balance
Therapy, profesional help, support systems
What are the different types of Onsets and how are they made?
-Clear, clean onsets: light and efficient adduction, coordinated airflow
-pressed: excessive pressure on folds or in airflow
-breathy: inefficient coordination, poor adduction
Describe the initial process of singing in terms of the respiratory system and the vocal tract
inhale: intake of air, expansion in the ribs, contraction of diaphragm
vocal tract tonuses for singing, lift in the soft palate, jaw lowers back and down, larynx lowers, throat opens, VF and glottis opens; TA and CT are activated
What are the Inactive and Active articulators?
Inactive: Teeth, hard palate
Active: Jaw, lips, tongue, soft palate, cheeks
What should you do before you begin "acting" and performing your piece?
Know your text and translations
context of the scene both before, during, and after,
why you are singing
What is the difference between poetic and literal translations?
Poetic: configures to match the new language to the notes, and requires creative translations to incorporate the original meanings
Literal: a literal translation of the original text into the new language according to the original syntax and grammar
You have a student who is struggling with their breath support and finding a clear, non- breathy tone. What would you say or exercises would you try for them?