The Functional Unity of the Singing Voice

by Barbara M. Doscher, John Nix (Introduction)

Overview

An understanding of how the singing voice functions should be a prerequisite for all those who wish to teach singing. And fundamental to any safe and efficient teaching method is the recognition that the singing voice is a functional unit. Consequently, this second edition, like the first, describes the anatomy and physiology of breathing and phonation and examines the acoustical laws necessary for an understanding of resonation. It is designed primarily as a textbook for college vocal pedagogy courses. The updated edition includes more detailed illustrations and an expansion of the appendix on vocal misuse and abuse, including data on subglottic air pressure/air flow ratios, the phonatory mode known as belting, and the aging voice, especially as it is affected by hormonal changes in the body. With extensive bibliography.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810827080
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/01/1993
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.94(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Barbara M. Doscher (DMA) was Professor of Music, University of Colorado, Boulder, where she was department chairperson and taught studio voice and vocal pedagogy. Her students are singing professionally throughout Europe, Canada, and the U.S. and have held apprenticeships at well-known opera companies. One of her students was the only American winner of the prestigious Mozart Concours Internationale de Chant. Another was a 1992 Pavarotti Competition winner. Doscher has presented master classes at colleges and universities and has been featured at several national conventions of NATS. Her articles have appeared in several journals.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 International Phonetic Alphabet/Frequency Key Part 3 INTRODUCTION Part 4 Technique and Art Part 5 Rationale for the Study of Physiology Part 6 Anatomical and Physiological Terminolgy Chapter 7 The Functional Unity of Singing Chapter 8 1. RESPIRATION Part 9 Basic Functions Part 10 The Skeletal Structure Part 11 The Respitory System Part 12 The Lungs Part 13 The Thorax Part 14 The Inspiratory Muscles Part 15 The Diaphragm Part 16 The External Intercostals Part 17 The Expiratory Muscles Part 18 The Internal Interncostals Part 19 The Abdominals Part 20 Auxilary Respitory Muscles Chapter 21 The Breathing Cycle Part 22 The Concept of Breath Support Chapter 23 2. ANATOMY OF THE LARYNX Part 24 The Hyoid Bond and Major Cartilages of the Larynx Part 25 The Hyoid Bone Part 26 Cartilages of the Larynx Part 27 Definition of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Muscles Part 28 The Intrinsic Muscles Part 29 The Vocal Folds Part 30 The Falso Vocal Folds Part 31 The Crico-Thyroid Muscle Part 32 The Crico-Arytenoid Muscles Part 33 The Extrinsic Muscles Part 34 The Depressors Part 35 The Elevators Part 36 Benefits of Extrinsic Equilibrium Chapter 37 3. PRONATION Chapter 38 4. POSTURE Chapter 39 5. tHE PHYSICAL NATURE OF SOUND Part 40 Characteristics of a Sound Wave Part 41 Properties of a Musical Sound Part 42 Frequency Part 43 Amplitude Part 44 Timbre Part 45 The Phenomenon of Resonance Part 46 Vocal Resonance Part 47 Acoustical Damping Part 48 Acoustical Laws Concerning Cavities Chapter 49 6. VOCAL RESONANCE Part 50 The Voice as a Wind Instrument Part 51 The Resonance Cavities Part 52 Tuning the REsonators Part 53 The Pharynx Part 54 The Tongue Part 55 The Palate Part 56 Jaw and Mouth Opening Part 57 Timbre or Tone Quality Chapter 58 7. FIXED FORMANTS AND VOWEL MODIFICATION Part 59 What are Formants? Part 60 The Fixed Formant Law Part 61 Vowel Formants and Harmonic Overtones Part 62 The Singing Formant Part 63 Vowel Modification Part 64 Tuning the Vowel Formants Part 65 The Importance of the First Formant Part 66 Matching Formants and the Harmonic Series Part 67 The First Vowel Formant and the Soprano Voice Part 68 Vowel Modification and Intelligibility Part 69 Vowel Modification and Dynamic Level Part 70 The Mirror Image Part 71 Speaking and Singing Part 72 The Pure Vowel Chapter 73 8. VOWEL REGISTERS Part 74 How Many Registers? Part 75 The Female Registers Part 76 The Male Registers Part 77 Belting Part 78 Blending Registers Part 79 Voice Classification Part 80 Vibrato Part 81 Major Characteristics Part 82 The Trill Part 83 Causes of Vibrato Chapter 84 9. THE FUNCTIONAL UNITY OF THE SINGING VOICE: A GESTALT Part 85 APPENDIX I. VOCAL ABUSE AND MISUSE Part 86 Physical Disorders Part 87 Vocal Nodules and Vocal Polyps Part 88 Physical Characteristics Part 89 Causes Part 90 Contact Ulcers Part 91 Physical Characteristics Part 92 Causes Part 93 Endotracheal Intubation Part 94 Hormonal Changes Part 95 The Thyroid Gland Part 96 Menstruation Part 97 The Male Hormone Part 98 Short-term Tissue Changes Part 99 The URI (Common Cold) Part 100 Tonsilitis Part 101 Laryngitis Part 102 The Effects of Drugs Part 103 Functional Disorders Part 104 Prolonged Phonation or Overuse Part 105 "Marking" Part 106 Choral Singing Part 107 The Wrong Tessitura Part 108 The Young Voice Part 109 The Aging Voice Part 110 Am I Too Loud? Part 111 Weird Noises Part 112 Extended Vocal Techniques Part 113 APPENDIX II. VOCAL HYGIENE Part 114 Common Irritants Part 115 Commonly Used Drugs Part 116 Hydration Part 117 Rest and Exercise Part 118 Clothing and Diet Part 119 Emotional Stress Part 120 BIBLIOGRAPHY Part 121 NAME INDEX Part 122 SUBJECT INDEX Part 123 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editorial Reviews

...excellent...an important book, one that is certain to find wide usage in vocal pedagogy courses...also very suitable for private voice teachers, singers, and choral conductors.

Nats Journal

...her credentials for writing on this subject are impeccable. There is little question that this book will join the body of literature on the act of singing as a valued reference.

International Choral Bulletin

...her credentials for writing on this subject are impeccable. There is little question that this book will join the body of literature on the act of singing as a valued reference.--International Choral Bulletin

...excellent...an important book, one that is certain to find wide usage in vocal pedagogy courses...also very suitable for private voice teachers, singers, and choral conductors.--Nats Journal

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