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Teaching Contemporary Singing by John Henny Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a key aspect of making a student feel safe in a voice lesson?

A

Allowing them to feel comfortable making mistakes.

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2
Q

True or False: Teaching voice has only one correct method.

A

False. Teaching is an art, and every teacher develops their own style.

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: If a student is trying to constantly protect themselves and not show any ____, you won’t know what to fix.

A

weakness

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4
Q

Which of the following is NOT considered a CCM style?
A) Pop
B) Jazz
C) Opera
D) Gospel

A

C) Opera

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5
Q

Why is learning IPA important for voice teachers?

A

Many books and research papers use IPA, and it helps with understanding vowel production.

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6
Q

Fill in the blank: Every time you hear a voice issue in another singer, you develop your ability to recognize ______.

A

patterns

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7
Q

What does ACV stand for in voice training?

A

Airflow, Cord resistance, Vowel (resonance).

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8
Q

Which of these is under a singer’s direct control?
A) Airflow
B) Vocal Fold Length
C) Vocal Cord Shape
D) Heart Rate

A

A) Airflow

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9
Q

What are the three questions to ask when analyzing a singer?

A

What am I hearing? Why am I hearing this? How do I fix this?

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10
Q

What happens when too much air is sent to the vocal folds?

A

It can cause a breathy sound or over-compression, leading to strain.

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11
Q

True or False: The diaphragm is a muscle of exhalation.

A

False. It is a muscle of inhalation.

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12
Q

Fill in the blank: The ______ houses the vocal folds and controls pitch and intensity.

A

larynx

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13
Q

What are the three layers of the vocal folds?

A

Ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues.

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14
Q

What are the three main elements of vocal registration?

A

Physiological (muscles and vocal folds), acoustic (resonance), and sensations (what the singer feels).

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15
Q

What is the difference between “whoop” and “yell” resonance?

A

Whoop is a lighter, head-dominant resonance; Yell is a chest-heavy, strong sound.

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The ______ is the transition area between chest and head voice, often called the Passagio in classical training.

A

mix

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17
Q

Vocal cord is the common name for ________, which is the more proper term.

A

Vocal Folds

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18
Q

The larynx is always a problem in strained singing and should never be raised.

A

False. While a high larynx is usually an issue in strained singing, it can also be used effectively as an artistic choice when done correctly.

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19
Q

What does ACV stand for in vocal training?
A) Air, Chest, Vowel
B) Air, Cord, Vowel
C) Air, Control, Volume
D) Air, Consonant, Vibrato

A

B) Air, Cord, Vowel

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20
Q

Match the vocal term with its description:

Cricothyroid (CT)

Thyroarytenoid (TA)

Resonance

Passaggio

A) A muscle that thickens the vocal folds for lower pitches
B) The process of sound interacting with the throat and mouth spaces
C) A muscle that stretches the vocal folds for higher pitches
D) The transition area between vocal registers

A

1 → C, 2 → A, 3 → B, 4 → D

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21
Q

Describe the role of the diaphragm in singing.

A

The diaphragm is a muscle of inhalation. When it contracts, it draws air into the lungs. When it relaxes, the air is exhaled. Good breath control involves using the diaphragm efficiently without excessive tension.

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22
Q

A student is singing, and their voice sounds overly breathy. What are some possible reasons for this issue?

A

The singer is pushing too much air.

The singer is not using enough vocal fold closure.

The singer is using an over-closed vowel.

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23
Q

Imagine you are working with a beginner student. They feel frustrated because they struggle to hit high notes. What steps would you take to guide them?

A

Encourage relaxation to prevent tension.

Introduce the concepts of ACV (Air, Cord, Vowel).

Use vowel modification to adjust resonance.

Help them explore mix voice instead of pushing chest voice too high.

Reinforce proper breath support.

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24
Q

What is the basic equation for healthy vocal production?

A

Balanced Airflow + Vocal Fold Resistance + Proper Resonance = Healthy Singing

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25
Cause: Excess air pressure is sent to the vocal folds. What is the effect?
Effect: The folds may blow apart too early, creating a breathy sound, or they may over-compress, leading to a pressed tone.
26
What gives an expert their seemingly supernatural intuition in teaching?
It is the recognition of previously seen or heard patterns. What is often called "intuition" by voice teachers is simply the brain recognizing these patterns.
27
What is the proper term for "vocal cords"?
The proper term is vocal folds rather than "vocal cords."
28
What are ACV and why are they important?
ACV stands for Air, Cord, Vowel. These are the three main elements directly under a singer’s control, and they combine to create the current singing condition. If a singer has issues, one or more of these elements are likely out of balance.
29
What does each letter in ACV stand for?
A (Airflow): The steady flow of air needed to produce sound. C (Cord): Vocal fold resistance, which helps create pitch and tone. V (Vowel): Resonance, which is crucial in tuning and sound quality.
30
What role does Air (A) play in singing?
Airflow is the foundation of sound production. When we sing, we send a steady stream of air to the vocal folds, which compress and turn it into sound.
31
What role do the Vocal Folds (C) play in singing?
The vocal folds are the noisemaker of the voice. Like a trumpet player's buzzing lips, they compress air and turn it into vibrations, which create sound.
32
Why is Vowel (V) important in singing?
Vowels shape resonance. Adjusting, shading, and tuning vowels helps control resonance, which is crucial for tone quality, vocal balance, and projection.
33
What are the three main questions a teacher should ask when analyzing a singer?
What? – What am I hearing? Why? – Why am I hearing this? How? – How do I fix this?
34
What does the "What?" question focus on?
It identifies what you hear in the student's voice, such as: Straining Cracking notes Over-breathiness
35
Why is the "Why?" question considered the most difficult?
The Why? question requires breaking down what is heard into underlying vocal mechanics. Teachers must continuously study voice science and acoustics to answer it accurately.
36
If a singer’s voice sounds over-breathy, what are some possible “Why?” answers?
The singer is pushing too much air. The singer isn’t closing the vocal folds enough. The singer is using an over-closed vowel.
37
How does the "How?" question help in teaching?
The How? helps create a vocal exercise or strategy to fix the issue. A teacher must use their teaching toolkit to find the best solution based on the Why?
38
What happens if the student does not improve after applying an exercise?
If there is no improvement or the student gets worse, the teacher must go back deeper into the “Why?” to reassess the vocal issue.
39
What are the three main tools a voice teacher can use to adjust a singer’s technique?
Consonants – Help modify airflow and vocal cord closure. Vowels – Adjust resonance and tuning. Scales – Train coordination and balance in singing.
40
Why is the "Why?" the most important of the three questions?
The Why? determines the root cause of the vocal issue. The better the teacher understands the Why, the more effective their How? solutions will be.
41
What is the most common breathing mistake new singers make?
Most singers over-breathe, overestimating the amount of airflow needed to produce a balanced, healthy sound.
42
What is a sound wave?
A sound wave is nothing more than vibrating air molecules. These vibrations occur when airflow encounters resistance at the vocal folds.
43
How do air molecules behave in normal conditions?
Air molecules prefer to stay a certain distance apart, much like the repelling ends of magnets.
44
How does sound production begin at the vocal folds?
When air is sent to closed, resistant vocal folds, pressure builds up. Once the folds pop open, air molecules collide and vibrate, creating sound.
45
What is the ideal balance between airflow and vocal fold resistance?
The power of airflow and the resistance of the vocal folds must be balanced—neither too much nor too little of either.
46
What happens when too much air is sent to the vocal folds?
Two possible outcomes: Vocal folds blow apart too early, creating a weak or breathy sound. Vocal folds over-compress, resulting in a tight, strained sound.
47
What is the ideal airflow pattern for singing?
Airflow should be consistent and controlled, rising and falling in sync with vocal fold resistance.
48
What is the diaphragm’s role in singing?
The diaphragm is a muscle of inhalation. When it contracts, it draws air into the lungs; when relaxed, it allows air to be exhaled.
49
What is a good posture exercise for breath control?
Imagine being suspended by a single string from the sternum. Keep back straight, shoulders down, ribs expanded. Breathe silently, then exhale with a hissing sound to build resistance in the abs and ribs.
50
What is the larynx, and where is it located?
The larynx (or voice box) is the bump in your throat below the chin. It houses the vocal folds and muscles that control pitch and intensity.
51
How does the larynx affect singing?
A raised larynx is usually linked to strain on high notes. Excess tension in swallowing muscles can interfere with singing. A high or low larynx changes the brightness or darkness of the voice.
52
What is a "tuned larynx"?
A tuned larynx is positioned optimally for the vowel, intensity, and desired vocal color in any given moment.
53
What are the three basic layers of the vocal folds?
Ligaments – Provide tension for higher pitches. Muscles (TA muscles) – Control thickness for lower, more robust pitches. Soft tissues – Provide flexibility for vibration and pitch production.
54
What is the function of the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles?
The TA muscles make the vocal folds thicker and fatter, resulting in lower, more powerful pitches.
55
What is the role of the cricothyroid (CT) muscle?
The CT muscle stretches the vocal folds, creating higher pitches by increasing tension and thinning the folds.
56
What determines pitch in the vocal folds?
Low pitches → Short, thick folds (TA dominant). High pitches → Long, thin folds (CT dominant). Good singing requires coordination between TA and CT muscles.
57
Why is singing a difficult skill to learn?
The muscles controlling pitch and intensity are not directly controlled—they respond to abstract thoughts of sound rather than direct movement commands.
58
What are the three types of muscle control in the body?
No control – Example: the heart. Direct control – Example: fingers and toes. Indirect control – Example: vocal folds (respond to thought, not conscious movement).
59
What is resonance, and why is it important?
Resonance is the amplification and enrichment of sound waves. It gives the voice power, tone quality, and efficiency.
60
What is an acoustic resonator?
A space that amplifies sound waves, such as: A guitar body for a guitar. A trumpet tube for a trumpet. A throat and mouth (pharynx) for a singer.
61
How do resonance and vowels interact?
The size and shape of the resonating spaces affect vowel sounds and vocal tone, influencing vocal breaks and range.
61
Why is “sing from your diaphragm” misleading?
Singing is more about resonators than the diaphragm. The throat and mouth shape determine vocal color and quality.
62
What happens when sound waves enter the vocal resonators?
Some frequencies are amplified, and others are weakened, like mixing a multi-track recording.
63
How does resonance affect the vocal folds?
Good resonance helps vocal folds efficiently manage airflow, making singing easier. Poor resonance can disrupt vocal fold vibration, causing cracks and strain.
64
What is the main benefit of good resonance?
It makes singing easier and more efficient, reducing strain and enhancing sound quality.
65
What are the three main elements of vocal registration?
The physiological (muscles and vocal fold state), the acoustic (sound wave interactions with resonators), and the singer's sensations.
66
What vocal exercise helps students recognize chest vs. head voice?
Placing a hand on the chest and saying "Hey!" to feel vibrations in the chest, then saying a high "Whoo!" to feel vibrations in the head.
67
What happens to the vocal folds as pitch increases?
They become longer and thinner, vibrating more quickly to produce higher pitches.
68
What role do the vocal folds play in the transition area?
They shift from a short, thick shape (used in chest voice) to a longer, thinner shape (used in head voice).
69
What are the two main muscle groups involved in vocal registration?
The thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle (which thickens the folds for lower pitches) and the cricothyroid (CT) muscle (which stretches the folds for higher pitches).
70
How does resonance shift as a singer moves into higher pitches?
It shifts from throat-dominant resonance (chest voice) to mouth-dominant resonance (head voice).
71
How do throat and mouth function in resonance, similar to a stereo system?
The throat acts like a woofer, amplifying lower frequencies, while the mouth functions like a tweeter, amplifying higher frequencies.
72
What is "Whoop" resonance?
A light, hooty, free sound that easily reaches high pitches, similar to the "woo hoo" sound when cheering.
73
What is "Yell" resonance?
A strong, chesty, intense sound like calling out "Hey!"—good for power but difficult for high notes.
74
Why is "Yell" dangerous if used improperly in higher pitches?
It can cause excess muscle tension, forcing the vocal folds together too hard and leading to swelling.
75
What is "Mix" and why is it important?
Mix blends chest and head voice by balancing the TA and CT muscles, allowing a singer to sing high notes with power while avoiding strain.
76
How does "Mix" prevent vocal strain?
It allows the TA to stay engaged enough for vocal strength while still letting the CT lengthen the folds for higher pitches.
77
What is vowel modification, and why is it important?
Adjusting vowels slightly to optimize resonance; it helps balance mix voice and avoid strain when singing high notes.
78
How can you recognize a singer using "Mix" effectively?
If they belt a strong high note that sounds like chest voice but with no strain, they are using skilled mix technique.
79
At what approximate pitch do male and female singers begin their transition area?
Around Eb4 for men and Ab4 for women.
80
What is "Passaggio" in classical singing?
The transition zone between chest and head voice, also referred to as "Mix" in contemporary singing.
81
What happens if a singer stays in "Yell" too long instead of mixing?
Their voice enters a "shout condition," causing excessive muscle strain and potential vocal damage.
82
How is a sound wave similar to a piano chord?
A sound wave consists of multiple pitches (harmonics) blended together, just like a chord is made up of individual notes played simultaneously.
83
What is the first harmonic (H1)?
The first harmonic (H1) is the fundamental frequency of the pitch being sung—the lowest harmonic in the sound wave.
84
What role do higher harmonics play in singing?
Higher harmonics add color and richness to the voice by interacting with the resonators in different ways.
85
How do resonators affect harmonics?
The size and shape of the throat and mouth change how each harmonic is amplified or reduced, shaping the overall sound.
86
How is vowel perception similar to color perception in light?
Just as different light wavelengths create different colors, different sound frequencies create the perception of different vowels.
87
Why does a siren sound like "Wee-Woo" even though it has no built-in vowel shaping?
The change in pitch alters the frequency balance, making the ear perceive different vowels.
88
How do singers manipulate vowel sounds?
By adjusting the shape of the throat and mouth, singers filter the sound wave to amplify specific harmonic frequencies, creating the desired vowel perception.
89
What happens to vowel perception when rounding the lips?
Rounding the lips lowers the energy of high-frequency harmonics, making OO (U) more prominent while reducing EE harmonics.
90
Why do some vowels work better for high notes?
Certain vowels have harmonic structures that align better with higher pitches, making them easier to sing strongly in the upper range.
91
Why must vowels undergo modification at higher pitches?
The natural resonator and harmonic relationships of certain vowels do not function well at high frequencies, requiring adjustments to maintain ease of production.
92
What determines vowel perception in singing?
The initial sound wave contains all vowel possibilities, and the filtering by the throat and mouth selects the dominant vowel we perceive.
93
What happens when the throat resonator reaches its frequency limit?
The mouth resonator takes over, allowing singers to extend their vocal range into higher pitches.
94
Why is vowel modification essential for high notes?
Higher pitches vibrate more quickly, changing the filtering process, so vowels must be adjusted to maintain both resonance and intelligibility.
95
What are the two key acoustic goals when singing high notes?
1) Adjusting the resonators to prevent problematic frequency interactions. 2) Modifying vowels while keeping them recognizable to listeners.
96
Why is it hard to belt the word "you" on a high note?
The OO (U) vowel has lower dominant frequencies that don’t align well with strong, high-pitched singing.
97
How can singers modify OO (U) to make it easier to belt?
By slightly opening the lips toward an OH shape while retaining enough OO quality for vowel recognition.
98

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