monkey see, monkey do

In singing, it is important to note one fundamental truth.  We learn through mimcry.  This paired with repetition of correct form and technique, supports flawless.. consistant sound production. 

However, this does not mean I want any of my students to sound like me.  It does not mean that they must all be classical singers like their teacher.  Instead,  I want quite the opposite.  I want them to find their own natural voice.. to be able to come to singing unencumbered.. free from outside influence, bad technique, and bad habits.  No matter what style they choose to sing.. no matter what size room.. no matter the acoustics.

Have you ever heard someone on stage singing a high note.. and actually caught yourself opening your mouth or lifting your head or upper body in response to the high note?  Have you ever sat across from someone at a restaurant who picked up their drink.. only to find yourself also taking a drink from your cup?  We have a response mechanism which is quite amazing.  And our potential to learn through this medium.. endless (and thrilling!).

Visualize, for a moment, that you are looking down a set of railroad tracks..  and off in the distance, it looks like they come to a point.

1. Now, sing a 5 tone scale (do re mi fa sol) on the vowel ee..  and imagine every note travelling a little further down the tracks, out into that point.  Not up.. only out.

There is a change in perception of the scale.

2. Now, sing a 5 tone scale (do re mi fa sol fa me re do) up to sol and back down to do.. on the vowel ee.. and still imagine every note travelling a little further down the tracks, out to the point.  Even the notes moving down the scale are imagined out.. forward motion.. not down and back.

Yet another change in perception.

3. Now, repeat the first exercise.. but this time, point out as you sing.

Try this with the second exercise.. pointing out the entire time..

moving your finger out toward that point.

Note the difference.. 

This is the first step to becoming free from the need to physically lift or drop the head or upper body to sing high and low notes..

The interesting thing to note.. coming back to the concept of monkey see,  monkey do.. is that if someone were to point while you just stood still and sang the above exercises, you would experience the same sensation (only slightly less intensely) than when you actually do the pointing yourself.  Our muscles react!  Add to that, a teacher who can actually sing with you, in correct form and technique.. and we add yet another layer to the process.  We are able to mimic the production of sound.  We are able to even listen to the teacher sing, and physically experience the muscles in action.. and not have to phonate a single note!! 

The voice cannot be manipulated.  Therefore, we must use every sense available to us, to gain mastery of this subtle, sublime instrument.  See, Hear, and Touch!