Alexa Terry talks about vocal related terminology with BAST founder Line Hilton. Line explains some of the anatomical terminology a singing teacher may encounter in a medical or voice science setting this includes anatomical terms, register names, support and resonance. She and Alexa play a register names pop quiz to see how many of the 107 names they know. Line emphasises the importance of understanding and using terminologies in a flexible and adaptable manner, considering the context and audience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Discussing anatomical terms like superior, inferior, lateral, medial, anterior, posterior is key for voice teachers. Line linked these to body parts, aiding medical report understanding. Muscle names, tied to origin and insertion, enhance comprehension.
- Alexa and Line explored varied names for vocal registers like chest, head, mix, belt. They noted diverse pedagogical and field terms, emphasising context-dependent meanings. Line stressed grasping intent behind terms over feeling overwhelmed.
- Line rarely uses “support” directly, viewing it as a result of vocal balance, not a specific technique. She favours strategies like transverse abdominis engagement for a supportive sensation, coupled with overall vocal coordination.
- Line challenges the “open throat” concept, noting pharynx narrowing as pitch ascends. She opts for tongue and larynx strategies, rejecting the focus on throat constrictors. Imagery like “open up the sound” proves useful based on student response.
- Line distinguishes a singing teacher’s technique focus from a vocal coach’s guiding role. She underlines SEO and student-friendly terms’ importance. “Voice teacher” holds spoken connotations, advocating comfort in choosing terms.
BEST MOMENTS
‘If there really are 107 different names for registers, do we need to know them all? ’
‘What we feel isn’t necessarily a correlation to what’s going on mechanically.
‘What does support mean? Pretty much as many people as I’ve asked, is the amount of answers that I’ve received.’
EPISODE RESOURCES
Guest Website:
Social Media:
- @basttraining
Relevant Links & Mentions:
- (BAST Blog) The Laryngeal Nerves: basttraining.com/the-laryngeal-nerves
- Kerrie Obert: obertvoicestudios.com
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert
- (Book) Anatomy of Voice by Blandine Calais-Germain & Francois Germain
- (Book) Singing & Science: Body, Brain and Voice by Jean Callaghan
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.62 How to Choose the Best Vocal Exercises with Line Hilton
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.73 The Best Vocal Exercises for Laryngeal Stability with Line Hilton
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.83 The Best Vocal Exercises for Sick Voices with Line Hilton
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.113 The Best Vocal Exercises for Chest Voice with Line Hilton
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.114 The Best Vocal Exercises for Head Voice with Line Hilton
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.115 The Best Vocal Exercises for The Transition with Line Hilton
- Chris Johnson: chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com
- Teach Voice: teachvoice.com
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.44 Exploring Vocal Registers with Chris Johnson
- Traditional Belt Example: Johnny One Note from Babes in Arms
- (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn
- Physio Ed: physioedmedical.co.uk
- Vocology in Practice: vocologyinpractice.org
