The Ear and the Voice

by Alfred A. Tomatis, Roberta Prada, Pierre Sollier, Francis Keeping

Overview

Tomatis was one of the earliest pioneers in the field now known as psychoacoustics, and his book L'Oreille et la Voix is considered a classic by many in that field.

Although Tomatis initially applied his theories to vocal performance, it soon became clear that the principles he uncovered could also have a profoundly beneficial influence on actors, painters, writers, and those suffering from physical and psychological disabilities. This translation makes Tomatis's discoveries accessible for a broad audience, and is divided into three parts that can be read separately or together. Part I introduces Tomatis's general concepts as they apply to the art of singing. Part II is a basic introduction to the anatomy of the ear and how its functions relate to the brain and the rest of the body. It also provides the reader with a metaphor-free vocabulary for discussing anatomy with doctors and other concerned professionals. Part III gives practical advice on singing, posture, and matters pertaining primarily to musicians. A list of the latest English-language books on the subject has been appended.

The Ear and the Voice is for everyone who wants to understand and experience the benefits of conscious listening.

Please visit the author's companion websites: www.vocalimages.com and www.voxmentor.com

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810851375
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/03/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	158
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Alfred A. Tomatis (1920-2001) practiced as an ear, nose, and throat doctor in Paris, and specialized in the treatment of singers.

Contralto Roberta Prada is president of Vox Mentor, LLC and is an active concert and recital performer.

Baritone Francis Keeping is a performing and graphic artist, who teaches voice in New York.

Pierre Sollier trained with Dr. Tomatis in Paris and is a family counselor in Oaxaca, Mexico.

More information can be found at the author's webpage, www.vocalimages.com

Table of Contents

Part 1 Foreword
Part 2 Preface
Part 3 To the Reader
Part 4 How to Use This Book
Part 5 Acknowledgments
Part 6 Part I: Some Reflections on Singing
Chapter 7 1 Treating the Voice
Chapter 8 2 Singing, the Source of Energy
Chapter 9 3 What is a Beautiful Voice?
Chapter 10 4 Singing and the Right Ear
Chapter 11 5 About Singers
Chapter 12 6 The Art of Singing
Part 13 Part II: How the Ear Works
Chapter 14 7 About Listening
Chapter 15 8 Anatomy and Physiology
Chapter 16 9 The Ear and the Nervous System
Chapter 17 10 The Ear's Control of the Voice
Part 18 Part III: Vocal Technique
Chapter 19 11 How to Sing
Chapter 20 12 Listening Posture: Ear and Body
Chapter 21 13 Bone Conduction
Chapter 22 14 Breathing
Chapter 23 15 Vowels
Chapter 24 16 Falsetto
Chapter 25 17 What is Needed to Sing Well?
Chapter 26 18 Conclusion
Part 27 Selected Bibliography
Part 28 Index
Part 29 About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

Finally available in English, this is a scientific book about singing which contains important neurological insights and is both practical and eminently readable.

Thomas Hemsley

As a close collaborator of Dr. Alfred Tomatis for more than 30 years, I am in a good position to know how difficult it is to present his work in English in a way, which is both easy to read and truthful to his thinking. The writing of Tomatis needs more than a translator; it needs a total rewriting by people who are familiar with his work. This is what Roberta Prada and her collaborators have been able to accomplish and they have done it with great talent. Bravo! The Ear and the Voice offers precious insights and practical tips to singers, teachers in singing and other voice professionals. But it is not just another book on vocal technique. It sheds an entirely new light on many important subjects such as listening, language, learning and communication. If you've never heard of or read Tomatis' work, be ready for a drastically new experience!

Paul Madaule

This is an evocative read for every musician. From the visionary science and wisdom of Tomatis, The Ear and The Voice provides us with a waterfall of provocative ideas and insights. Long awaited, long overdue, this book is essential for the creative understanding of speech, listening and music making.

Don Campbell

The concept of the listening posture in Chapter 12 is a remarkable one involving both the posture of the whole body and the posture of the ear itself. I was astounded to read the step-by-step instructions on how to attain the listening posture in the ear by positioning the head and moving various facial muscles. I was even more surprised when I tried the method and found my body responding to the change....The Ear and the Voice is a wonderful introduction to the work and indeed the mind of Alfred Tomatis. Learning from 'his master's voice' is enough to recommend this book to anyone interested in the role of the ear in singing and anyone who isn't afraid of their own ideas being challenged.

Australian Voice

...summarizes [Tomatis's] understanding of the principle role of the ear in listening, in dispensing energy to the nervous system, and in controlling the act of singing.

Scitech Book News

This is the best of the books of Professor A. Tomatis. Translation by Roberta Prada is very well done, precise, with some improvements to the original text. I recommend to everybody, especially singers and musicians to read and reread it!

Dr. Bernard Auriol

This is the best of the books of Professor A. Tomatis. Translation by Roberta Prada is very well done, precise, with some improvements to the original text. I recommend to everybody, especially singers and musicians to read and reread it!--Dr. Bernard Auriol, Psychiatrist

As a close collaborator of Dr. Alfred Tomatis for more than 30 years, I am in a good position to know how difficult it is to present his work in English in a way, which is both easy to read and truthful to his thinking. The writing of Tomatis needs more than a translator; it needs a total rewriting by people who are familiar with his work. This is what Roberta Prada and her collaborators have been able to accomplish and they have done it with great talent. Bravo! The Ear and the Voice offers precious insights and practical tips to singers, teachers in singing and other voice professionals. But it is not just another book on vocal technique. It sheds an entirely new light on many important subjects such as listening, language, learning and communication. If you've never heard of or read Tomatis' work, be ready for a drastically new experience!--Paul Madaule, Director of The Listening Centre, Toronto, Canada and author of When Listening Comes Alive

Finally available in English, this is a scientific book about singing which contains important neurological insights and is both practical and eminently readable.--Thomas Hemsley, International Concert and Opera Singer, Professor at the Guildhall School of Music, London

From the Publisher