Resonance in Singing and Speaking Part 10

FOR PRODUCTION OF THE VOWEL SOUNDS IN PROPER FOCUS

Produce the _hung_ at once, and add the vowel. _Be sure that the vowel sound follows the same course as the "ng" sound which precedes it, and produces the same sensation in the nose._

The vowels are arranged in the order chosen because _ee_ is the most easily focused while _ah_ is by far the most difficult to focus, and hence the worst possible sound for initial practice. _Think_ of the tone as being made in the nose and head.

Let there be no break or stopping of the tone when pa.s.sing from the _ng_ sound to the vowel. Simply change the tone into the vowel desired by the proper change in the articulating organs.

Sing the five vowel sounds connectedly, being sure that each vowel is correctly placed before pa.s.sing to the next. The proper use of the lips will aid greatly in focusing the vowels. Start with the scale that is in comfortable range.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Exercise VIII

TO ENLARGE THE THROAT AND FOCUS THE VOWELS

Open the mouth well and be sure that the vowel sounds are delivered as in the previous exercises; this will insure largeness with proper resonance.

When practising this exercise, be careful, as with the others, that each vowel sound in its order is correctly given before pa.s.sing to the next. Only in this way can rapid progress be made.

The words _bing_, _sing_, _ting_, _fling_, _swing_ are excellent to use for further practice.

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Hung-ee 2. Hung-oo 3. Hung-oh 4. Hung-aw 5. Hung-ah

_etc._]

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Hung-ee 2. Hung-oo 3. Hung-oh 4. Hung-aw 5. Hung-ah

_etc._]

Exercise IX

QUICK CHANGING NOTES WITHOUT CHANGING RESONANCE

The important point in this flexible exercise is to _keep the vowel-color, the focus or resonance, unchanged throughout the phrase_.

Begin quietly, give the _ng_ freedom and the upper resonance will adjust itself. This phrase is longer than in previous exercises; be sure then that you still have breath at the end--breath enough to sing further. Sing quietly. Pitch the exercise to suit the voice.

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Hung-ee 2. Hung-oo 3. Hung-oh 4. Hung-aw 5. Hung-ah

_etc._]

Exercise X

FOR AGILITY

Sing each vowel sound separately before pa.s.sing to the next. Be sure to start each vowel sound in purity and maintain it without change.

Pitch the exercise to suit the voice.

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Ee 2. Oo 3. Oh 4. Aw 5. Ah

_etc._]

For variants on the above use as initial consonants _b_, _p_, _m_, _f_, _v_, _d_, _k_, _n_, _t_, and _l_.

Exercise XI

TO DEVELOP THE USE OF THE LIPS AND UNDER JAW

When practising this exercise protrude the lips and raise them toward the nose as far as possible; also make an effort to enlarge and widen the nostrils. This exercise may be practised more quickly than the preceding, but never at the expense of clearness of vowel distinction.

Carry the exercise higher or lower, and in different keys, to suit individual voices. With a slight initial accent sing each two-measure section smoothly as one phrase. Avoid accenting each separate vowel sound. To do so would produce a series of jerks.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

After practising the above as written modify it as follows:

1. Bee-boo-boh-baw-bah.

2. Pee-poo-poh-paw-pah.

3. Mee-moo-moh-maw-mah.

4. Fee-foo-foh-faw-fah.

5. Vee-voo-voh-vaw-vah.

6. Dee-doo-doh-daw-dah.

7. Kee-koo-koh-kaw-kah.

8. Nee-noo-noh-naw-nah.

9. Tee-too-toh-taw-tah.

10. Lee-loo-loh-law-lah.

Exercise XII

FOR FACILITY AND QUICK VOWEL CHANGE

Be careful not to blur the vowel sounds; each must be distinct and pure, and the change from one to the next must be made with a minimum of effort and without disturbing the focus of the tone.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]