Posture management in vocal training

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 63 - 84, 30.12.2020

İlker İşsever

https://doi.org/10.29228/jiae.6

Abstract

The ideal posture and teaching the principles of how to use it physically constitutes the basis of professional vocal training. The aim of the current study is, first, to raise awareness to find the ideal posture which must be learned and employed in vocal training, and second, to provide a source which vocal trainers and students taking singing lessons might utilize in their pursuit of the ideal posture. To this end, in this study, a blend of some pieces of information collected from recent sources and our knowledge is presented. In the preparatory stage of the current study, a lot of recent sources were reviewed to elicit up-to-date information. In the article, first, the issue of posture, which is a function fundamental for living beings, is addressed in detail in terms of its anatomical and physiological aspects, with the addition of many pictures and drawings. Besides, the study draws attention to how experienced vocalists maintain the optimal vocalization as they are fulfilling the dramatic requirements on stage. The article revolves around and has its roots in the ‘Six Balance Points’ adopted from a joint study titled “What Every Singer Needs to Know” by Melissa Malde, MaryJean Allen, and Kurt-Alexander Zeller. In the conclusion and recommendations section, various exercises are provided to reinforce the presented information regarding how to achieve the ideal posture to be more meaningful and applicable. Finally, the acquisitions that this discipline brings to singing are summarized, and many reference illustrations are given at the end to conclude.

Keywords

Alignment, Opera, Posture, Singing, Vocal Education

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