The primary purpose of this study was to clarify the underlying principles of singers' resonance and to examine some of the pedagogical practices associated with the traditional schools of singing and contemporary voice science. The secondary purpose was to determine which principles should be retained, discarded, or altered.An examination of the voice pedagogy literature revealed recurrent references to resonance. This implied that the concept is of some importance to voice pedagogy. Singers' resonance has, however, been presented in diverse contexts indicating that (1) it has a number of denotations and connotations, (2) it is sometimes used ambiguously, or inaccurately, and (3) a further investigation of the topic might yield clarity to the field of voice pedagogy.It was determined that though there are many important voice pedagogy methodologies, classically trained professional concert and opera singers of international reputation are taught to optimize singers' resonance both in order to be heard and to produce the accepted tone. It was found that those precepts which are based upon acoustic laws should be conserved and those which are not should be abandoned, altered, or when appropriate, acknowledged as metaphorical. / School of Music

No description available.

The integrated method proposed and worked out consisted of integration of vocal and voice-speech teaching techniques as well as integration of the empirical and mechanical methods of teaching. Balance and co-ordination between external and intra-pharyngeal articulation were considered as a framework for integration of various methods of teaching. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with spectral analysis, was used to demonstrate the work of intrapharyngeal muscles while singing and to assess the quality of vocalization. 54 MRI expositions were generated for the set of vowels, pitches and modes, of which over 400 MRI images were synthesized and measured. When switching from amateur to professional way of singing, radical transformations of size, shape and to some extent, changes in the surface properties (density, porosity) of muscular tissue of intra-pharyngeal cavities were observed. New acquired MR images clearly showed that the axial section of the back cavity appears indeed much larger in the professional mode than in the amateur mode. Statistical analysis showed that this difference is statistically significant. It is shown that the work on muscles development and use of mental images/imagination must progress in close collaboration. The strategy for the gradual mastering technique of the opening of the vocal tract was suggested, and developed. A new approach was developed to be applied for students to get stable repeatability when they work with mental images. Obtained MR images were used as a part of visualization method during experimental work with students. MR images helped students to create proper mental images. The theory of tangible images was suggested and then successfully applied in the form of experimental work with students. Experimental work with students of the ethnic group Maori was conducted. This experimental work with Maori students demonstrated that the integrated method of teaching helped to overcome some physiological and psychological specific problems which require special techniques of training. Case studies were carried out to assess individual and students' group perceptions, along with interview techniques and a survey questionnaire. The results of the survey are presented graphically, and statistical processing of the data was performed. The results of the survey are interpreted and discussed.

This is a research project based on the author’s experience of more than 20 years as conductor of the Eastern Cape Childrens Choir. It investigates the effectiveness of technical exercises - with special reference to selected “warm-up” exercises - in creating a superior choral tone in the children’s choir. The investigation is motivated by the fact that it is an ongoing challenge to effectively overcome problems with intonation and poor choral tone, problems which are mostly caused by lack of attention to pure vowel formation. Toward this end, a practical “tool box” of vocal exercises for the children’s choir is ultimately proposed. The toolbox is based on one single exercise with different variations. Each variation is designed to address multiple vocal needs and to correct vocal production during singing. In this manner a great many technical aspects are covered with the simplest of means and in the shortest possible time, bearing in mind that the rehearsal session allows limited time to focus on such matters to the exclusion of all else.

This dissertation presents a critical study of voice teaching method as this pertains to the high school learner studying voice within the South African educational environment, with learning outcomes determined for subject music within the GET (General Education and Training) and FET (Further Education and Training) bands of the Department of Basic Education at each school grade level, as well as by external examining bodies such as Unisa (University of South Africa), Trinity Guildhall and ABRSM (Amalgamated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). Emphasis is placed on the methodological principles applicable in the case of the Western classical music solo vocal repertoire, but reference is also made to the applicability of this method in other vocal genres and, in particular, in the case of choral music participation. Special attention is given to the subject of the vocal health of the developing teenage voice, which includes an overview of vocal disorders and suggestions for rehabilitation and remedial programmes where necessary. Triangulation of research results is achieved in this study through inclusion of: - A thorough survey of selected pertinent bibliographic sources - Description of and engagement with the researcher’s own numerous phenomenological encounters in this field - Interviews conducted in Port Elizabeth with Jill Nock, voice teacher, on the subject of voice teaching method, and with John Black, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, on the subject of vocal health. The researcher concludes that there is a need for continued education and training of music educators in the South African high school environment, many of whom are not trained voice specialists, in order to cater for the growing number of high school music learners who choose to specialise in voice. Although educator networking can go a long way towards creating an informal support system to address this need, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education to address this in a formal and all-encompassing fashion.

No description available.

M.S.

Thesis (MMus) (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:In Suid-Afrika, soos in ander lande, gebeur dit dikwels dat sangers in een of ander stadium van hul loopbaan met stemmoeilikheid/’n stemprobleem te doen kry. Die mees algemene reaksie is om ’n oor-, neus- en keelspesialis (ONK-spesialis) te besoek vir hulp. Die sangaktiwiteit vereis egter ’n baie fyn gebalanseerde kondisie van die sangapparaat en dit blyk dat die oorsprong van die meeste stemprobleme onder sangers funksioneel van aard is. Daarom word daar van die veronderstelling uitgegaan dat die mees suksesvolle behandelingsroete vir die sanger met ‘n stemprobleem ‘n integrale interdissiplinêre benadering behels wat nie net die ONK-spesialis insluit nie, maar ook ‘n spraakterapeut en sangpedagoog. Anders as in Suid- Afrika, word hierdie interdissiplinêre benadering alreeds algemeen toegepas in lande soos die VSA en Brittanje. Hierdie studie vind plaas vanuit die oogpunt van die sangpedagoog en identifiseer die nodige kennis en praktiese ondervinding wat sodanige sangpedagoog sal benodig om suksesvol as deel van ’n interdissiplinêre span in die behandeling van sangers met stemprobleme te funksioneer. Om hierdie doel te verwesenlik, neem die studie die vorm van ’n gevallestudie aan waarin die navorser binne die bestek van verskeie maande konsultasies met sangers met stemprobleme binne ‘n mediese stemkliniek onder leiding van ’n ONKspesialis prakties geobserveer het. Deurgaans word sodanige gevallestudies weergegee en bespreek. Dit sluit o.a. die rol van elk van die interdissiplinêre spanlede, oorsake en behandeling van tipiese stemprobleme onder sangers, asook die spesifieke rol van die sangpedagoog in die behandelingsproses, in. In die geheel het hierdie studie getoon dat daar ’n groot leemte en onkunde onder baie sangers bestaan (veral amateursangers) wat die nodige sorg en hantering van hul sangstem betref. Hiperfunksionele stemproduksie a.g.v. foutiewe stemgebruikgewoontes, afwesigheid van sangopleiding en onkunde op die gebied van stemhigiëne en -sorg was opvallend. Dit blyk dat die sangpedagoog, in noue samewerking met die ONK-spesialis en spraakterapeut, ‘n kritieke leemte kan vul in die gespesialiseerde opvoeding en behandeling van sangers met stemprobleme. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, as in other countries, singers frequently happen to experience voice problems at some or other stage in their career. The general reaction to this problem is to seek help from an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT specialist). Seeing that the activity of singing requires such a finely balanced condition of the vocal instrument, it seems that the origin of most voice problems singers experience are of a functional nature. This study is based on the premise that the most successful way of treating an artist with a voice problem is via an integrated interdisciplinary team approach, which includes an ENT specialist as well as a speech therapist and a singing pedagogue. Unlike in South Africa, this interdisciplinary approach is already common practice in countries such as the USA and the UK. The study is conducted from the viewpoint of a singing pedagogue. It identifies the knowledge and practical experience the singing pedagogue would require to function successfully as part of an interdisciplinary team in the treatment of singers with voice problems. To succeed in this goal the study takes on the form of a case study. The researcher practically observed consultations with singers over several months in a medical voice clinic under the leadership of an ENT specialist. These case studies are reflected and discussed throughout this thesis. Amongst others, this includes the role of each member of the interdisciplinary team, the causes and treatment of typical voice problems amongst singers, as well as the specific role of the singing pedagogue in the treatment process. It is found that a great deal of ignorance exists amongst many singers (especially amateur singers) in respect of the necessary care and management of their singing voice. Hyperfunctional voice production due to incorrect voice-use habits, the absence of vocal training and ignorance regarding vocal hygiene and voice care were encountered frequently.

Thesis (MMus) - Stellenbosch University , 1986. / INLEIDING: By die instudeer van 'n aantal Schubert-liedere het die skryfster onder die indruk gekom van nie alleen die skoonheid van die poëtiese en musikale inhoud nie, maar veral ook die pedagogiese waarde daarvan. 'n Behoefte om die potensiaal van die Schubert-liedere as onderrigmateriaal te ondersoek, het ontstaan.

Throughout the recorded history of vocal development certain characteristics can be traced to nationalistic roots. This work explores the four major schools of singing: English, French, German and Italian and includes a brief history of the pedagogical development and ideas of these schools' development. In addition, specific techniques and their similarities and differences, between each school is explored. Through the use of students as a control group, various characteristics within the four schools are implemented in coaching. The results are noted. The major theme of this work is to outline the major schools of vocal pedagogy and to contrast and compare specific techniques found in each school. Furthermore, regarding the individual student, the positive and negative effects of teaching in a dedicated fashion to one school versus the implementation of proven methods, of various schools, even though they cross nationalistic boundaries, has been the major thrust of this investigation