Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Vocal Science and Vocal Art
The purpose of this article is to elaborate on the
influence of science in vocal pedagogy and the mission to find a common ground
between the two areas. The author Lynn Helding examines the somewhat large separation
between the scientists’ extremely technical and data loaded presentations of
the voice and those of musicians. Helding
believes in the importance of finding a balance of physiology and musicality.
Voice
scientists are no longer exclusively scientists who are untrained in singing and
voice teachers are now more able, due to the accessibility of information, to
competently understand both the scientific aspects of singing and how to communicate
this information to students. Helding says that the “key to establishing a
solid understanding between science and art is the recognition that the
aspirations and goals of scientists, as compared to singing artists and the
people who teach them, are fundamentally different,” but she focuses on the
importance finding an understanding of both areas. Vocal pedagogue Garyth
Nair believes that pedagogues need to take advantage of the gains made in the voice
research realm during the last 20 years. Odds are that a teacher’s self-improvement
in science or any aspect of learning, ultimately benefits the student as well
as the teacher. Some argue that science does not hold a valuable place in vocal
pedagogy saying singing is only 20% physical and the rest relies on psychological
control; however, Lynn argues that in the current voice pedagogy literature,
science has much more to offer.
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I love the idea about practicing and warming up using more scientific thoughts, and performances and lessons being more artistically focused. One isn't really a higher priority over the other, and both should be approached simultaneously. That's kind of how I explained the purpose of warm-ups to my student: engaging your mind to transition for your speaking voice to your singing voice (NOT hitting every singing pitch in your range-another choir issue?). The more we think about our voices scientifically, the sooner our technique is produced by rote, allowing our minds to focus on other elements.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think about warming up as something scientific. I used to struggle with warming up, I didn't like to do it, because I was so into expressing myself through my music, and that is pretty hard to do in my warmups. A very interesting point of view. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that regardless of how much scientific information the teacher does or does not share with the student, the teacher should still know all the science behind the voice. It may never be effective to teach your student how the thyro-arytenoids function in order to get them to sing more beautifully, but YOU need to know as the teacher. The teacher should always know more than the student and the blending of art and science should be the job of the teacher. Each student is different and each student may need a different blend of art and science in their lesson.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, students understanding the instrument and knowing how it functions, at least at a basic level, has helped them immensely to be able to start to solve problems on their own. This has allowed faster growth both technically and artistically, because as the coordination improves, then the ability to allow emotional connection is much improved. Many studies show that we can't truly actively multitask, and so to make as much of the functional part of singing as much of a habit as possible, our artistry can then take center stage. :-) We hope our solid technique allows the audience to not be distracted by our faults that there may be, and enjoy it as the art that it is. Well trained, well thought out, well practiced.... Students will require a different blend of art and science, and as the teacher, one should embrace and strive to know as much about the voice as one can, and always be open to learning new things. I learn new things all the time. It is always interesting. I love it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lindsay!
I agree with Lindsay when she was talking about at least understanding what is happening in your throat and vocal chords when you sing. I have developed my technique in my voice lessons because of certain aspects of the voice I have learned about.
ReplyDeleteI believe everything Lindsay's article has stated. My personal understanding and development has improved a lot just from taking this course. I now understand x is happening because of y, or z is is the result of a + b. It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy personal philosophy on music as a whole is that it encompasses the entire human experience - it is all at once athletic, academic, social, and emotional. We can identify these things individually and specifically, but the best performers are gifted in all of those areas. Unfortunately, we can't address all areas at once as an educator, or our students will be overwhelmed. I hope that I teach my students what will help them the most to improve as a musician, whether it be expressiveness or vocal mechanics. So in other words, what Olivia said xD
ReplyDeleteReally interesting to think about a balance between technicality in warm-ups and artistry in performance. Just goes to prove that we are amazing, well-rounded people. We are scientific and precise, but also emotional, artistic, and beautiful. #goodfeels
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, it's very important for us, as music educators and performers alike, to understand the exact science of singing and also how to be artistic within those realms. From a teaching perspective you lose one, it becomes infinitely more difficult to teach. In regards to performers (all of us), being familiar with the more technical/scientific side of the voice lets us understand how our voice, and others, are working and try to better them through good vocal practices and good technique.
ReplyDeleteI like the author's idea, warming-up and the science thoughts! We can see how important warm up for a singer, and using the best way to help them
ReplyDeleteOne should always strive to constantly improve one's knowledge of subjects that are important to them, and to obtain different perspectives on the subject whenever possible. Science is certainly it's own unique mode of thinking, but it can be surprisingly compatible with more philosophical modes when you recognize that it's base of knowledge is meant to be utilitarian and not absolute.
ReplyDeleteI think that the balance of art and science is important. I often forget how much of an overlap there is between singing and science, there's physics of sound, physiology, and psychology. Whenever I am working on new technique I'll offhandedly, say "i'm experimenting with" some new technique.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree that there needs to be a mutual understanding between science and art. While they can be fundamentally different, there seem to be many points where the two fit together very well.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely different people will have different results with this balance when learning vocal technique. I have personally benefited much from knowing the science behind what I do with my voice.
ReplyDelete