The Vocal Instrument

Description

Within the body lie all the elements (anatomy, physiology and the connection between the mind and body) which are needed to produce sound. Anatomy is the structure of what we are made of, while physiology is the function, or how we use our anatomy. Every instrument has a frame. The unique thing about the human vocal instrument is that the body skeleton is the frame. The purpose of this book is to help the voice professional understand this instrument and know how to take care of it. The first half of this book answers the following questions: What is my instrument and how is this put together? How do I play it? And How do I take care of it? The second half of the book defines common problems and discusses how to fix these problems based on the specialization of the voice professional.

Table of contents

· Foreword
· Introduction
· Preface

PART I: The Vocal Instrument

1. WHAT IS MY INSTRUMENT AND HOW IS IT PUT TOGETHER?

• Introduction
• Body
• Respiration
• Phonation
• Resonance
• Articulation
• Body/Mind/Spirit Connection

2. HOW DO I “PLAY” IT?

• Vocal Technique
• Learning new music

3. HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF IT?

• Arts Medicine & Professional Voice Care

PART II: Common Problems

4. PRIVATE STUDIO TEACHERS/STUDENTS

• Introduction
• Giving a lesson

5. MUSIC EDUCATORS

• Introduction
• Classroom Teaching
• Choral Conducting
• Instrumental Conducting/Directing

6. CHORAL CONDUCTORS/PARTICIPATORS

• Introduction

7. PERFORMERS

• Introduction
• Performance Genres: Classical Music
• Performance Genres: Commercial Music
• Performance Genre: Musical Theatre
• Performance Genre: Theatre