Misguided Voice Instructors

A uniform vocal building regimen is the only way to create a strong and reliable foundation for singing because no other process increases muscular performance. Without a clear idea of a foundation to singing and a uniform method of creating it, voice instructors are typically in the dark about what the real concern of voice teaching should be, and often wander into the world of song interpretation—voice coaching—and think that this is where their answers to proper voice teaching exists.

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Three Cheers For Stress!

With the endless chatter today in pop culture about the importance of inner peace and tranquility to happiness; of inner harmony, calm, and mental stillness to a stress-free life, please note that such so-called "blessed" states of mind have done precious little to advance the cause of our cultural heritage - that is, if we view "creativity" as a powerful indicator of human achievement.

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Singers' Alienation

For singers, however, the inability to observe directly the actual functioning of their vocal apparatus, and the lack of sensation during singing, have caused not a little mischief, not the least of which is that singers often do significant damage to their vocal apparatus without being aware of it. It is very typical for a singer, for example, to begin experiencing difficulties with hoarseness, loss of power, and range only to discover upon a medical examination that he has developed vocal nodules—calluses on the lips of their vocal folds, that disrupt the movement and vibration of their vocal folds during singing (and speaking). Vocal nodules develop over time as a result of habitual, abrasive vocal fold contact.

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Singing Is Athletic

The physical aspect of singing is made up of many sets of muscles all working in complex but coordinated ways. Every vocal sound that is produced is the result of this coordinated muscular effort. For instance, if you sing “off-pitch”; have limited control over your voice; possess an inadequate range; or lack flexibility and power, the problem is not necessarily a deficit in musical ability: often the causes of such limitations have a basis in weak and uncoordinated muscular actions.

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Quality Of Singing At An All-Time Low

Without waxing nostalgic about a former time of superior vocal splendor, we clearly live in a time where the art of singing in all genres is in real peril. There are of course, outstanding singers performing today. A handful of exceptional artists always manage to emerge in every generation, regardless of the unfavorable artistic circumstances.

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