About The Book
The Vocal Athlete, Second Edition and the companion book The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition are written and designed to bridge the gap between the art of contemporary commercial music (CCM) singing and the science behind voice production in this ever-growing popular vocal style. This textbook is a “must have” for vocal pedagogy courses and speech-language pathologists, singing voice specialists, and voice teachers. Heavily referenced, this text is ripe with current research on singing science as it relates to the CCM voice. In addition to general singing science, The Vocal Athlete is the first book of its kind to address the unique vocal and physiologic demands of commercial singing from a sound scientific and pedagogical standpoint. Historical review of classical vocal pedagogy is interwoven and transitioned to current pedagogy of CCM. Anyone who trains singers will gain insight into the current research and trends regarding the commercial music artist.
The text distinguishes itself from other pedagogy texts by incorporating current peer reviewed literature in the area of CCM and its studio application. Also unique to this text are chapters on body alignment, traditional and holistic medicine, the lifecycle of the voice, and the physiology of belting.
New to the Second Edition
- New medical chapter on Common Pathologies in Vocal Athletes
- New comprehensive chapter on Perception, Aesthetics, and Registration in the Commercial Vocal Athlete
- Extended sections in Motor Learning and Exercise Physiology chapters
- Updated references throughout
- Access to a PluralPlus companion website with PowerPoint lecture slides
Wendy D. LeBorgne and Marci Daniels Rosenberg join the VocalFri Podcast to talk about The Vocal Athlete, a landmark voice pedagogy text that was the first of its kind to fully incorporate contemporary and musical theater singing pedagogy alongside classical voice pedagogy in a fully evidence based manner. Listen here.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contributors
Section I. Structure & Function of the Voice
Chapter 1. The Singer’s Body: Alignment, movement, and Intention
Introduction
Kinesthetic Awareness and the Somatic Rolodex
Tension versus Release
Tensegrity
Posture and Alignment
Assessing Posture and Alignment
Beyond Posture
Body Mapping
Yoga
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 2. Respiratory Kinematics
Historical Overview of Respiratory Pedagogy
Contemporary Respiratory Pedagogical Training
Respiratory Pedagogical Summary
Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory Mechanism for the Singer
Respiratory Kinematics for Vocal Athletes—What the Research Tells Us
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 3. Laryngeal Anatomy, Physiology, and Function During Singing
Introduction
Role of the Larynx
Basic Laryngeal Anatomy and Physiology
Review of Nerve Supply to the Intrinsic Muscles
Microstructure of the Vocal Folds
Vocal Fold Vibration
Phonatory Onset
Vibrato
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 4. Neurologic Control of Voice Production
Working from the Top Down: From the Singer’s Brain to the Singer’s Body
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Summary of Neuromotor and Neurosensory Pathways for Voice Production
Musical Performance Anxiety and Emotional Aspects of Singing
References
Chapter 5. Resonance and Vocal Acoustics
Introduction
Resonators and Resonance
Focus and Placement
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 6. Perceptions, Aesthetics and Registration in the Commercial Vocal Athlete
Introduction
History and Evolution of Vocal Registers
Registration as a Laryngeal Event
Registration ad a Vocal Tract/Timbre Event
Registration Transitions in Classical and Musical Theater Vocal Athletes
Voice Typing in Musical Theater Vocal Athletes
Summary
References
Section II. Vocal Health and Fitness
Chapter 7. Impact of Phonotrauma on Vocal Health and Singing
Introduction
What Is Phonotrauma?
Risk for Phonotrauma
Impact of Phonotraumatic Behaviors on Voice and Singing
When Is Vocal Rest Indicated?
Voice Rest and Vocal Fold Surgery
Wound Healing Physiology
Vocal Rest Versus Vocal Exercise
Vocal Load and Phonotrauma
Management of Phonotrauma
Behavioral Intervention
Direct Voice Therapy
Medical and Surgical Management
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 8. Common Vocal Pathologies in Vocal Athletes: A Medical Perspective
Robbi Kupfer
Introduction
Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Other Laryngeal Disorders
Evaluation and Diagnosis of Vocal Pathology: What to Expect During a Visit?
Treatment
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 9. Multidisciplinary Care of the Vocal Athlete
Leda Scearce
Introduction
The Voice Care Team
The Voice Evaluation
Roles and Responsibilities of the Voice Care Team
Collaborative Interaction and Decision Making
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 10. Laryngeal Reflux: What the Singer Needs to Know
Adam D. Rubin and Cristina Jackson-Menaldi
Introduction
Symptoms
Complications of Reflux
How Do I Know if I Have Reflux?
Treatment
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 11. The Singer’s Guide to Anesthesiology and Voice
Samuel A. Schechtman and Andrew Rosenberg
Introduction
Basics of Anesthesia
Procedures that Require Airway Devices
Singer Concerns
Other Common Airway and Vocal Tract Complications and Preventive Considerations
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 12. Life Cycle of the Voice
Overview
The Pediatric Performer: Considerations for Vocal Performing in Children Through Adolescence
Aspects of the Aging Voice and the Nonclassical Singer
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 13. Medicine, Myths and Truths
Introduction
Medications and the Voice
Reflux Medications
Herbal Supplements and Vitamins
Chapter Summary
References
Section III. Vocal Pedagogy for the 21st Century Vocal Athlete
Chapter 14. History of Classical Voice Pedagogy
Overview
Classical Vocal Pedagogy
Early Vocal Pedagogues
Chapter Summary
References
Appendix 14–A. Classical Vocal Pedagogy Resources
Chapter 15. Belting: Pedagogical Considerations
Introduction
Increasing Demand for Commercial Pedagogy and Belting
Overview of History and Pedagogical Approaches for Belting
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 16. Physiology of Belting: Research and Theory
Introduction
Belting—Perceptual Research
Laryngeal Muscle Activity and Action during CCM Singing
Voice Source Information on Belting
Formants and Harmonic Findings/Singers Formant/Formant Tuning
Intensity Findings
Vibrato Findings
Timbre/Spectral Slope Findings
Nasality Findings
Registration Findings
The Science Behind the Singing: Inertance and Compliance Theories
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 17. Exercise Physiology Principals for Training the Vocal Athlete
Introduction
Muscle Fibers and Laryngeal Function
Skeletal (Limb) Muscles
Muscle Fuel
Basic Training Principles for Exercise Science
Research on Exercise Science for Voice
Application of Exercise Physiology Principles for Training Vocal Athletes
Vocal Warm-Ups
Voice Fatigue
Monitoring Vocal Effort
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 18. Application of Motor Learning Principals to Voice Training
Introduction
Motor Performance Versus Motor Learning
Stages of Motor Learning
Establishing Training Goals
Structuring a Lesson
The Forgetting Hypothesis
Feedback and Cueing
Reducing Learner Dependency
Implicit versus Explicit Learning
Directing Learners’ Attention
Chapter Summary
References
Chapter 19. The Art of Perfection: What Every Singer Should Know About Audio Technology
Matthew Edwards
Introduction
The Roots: Wax Cylinder Recordings
Modern Recording Methods
Live Performance
Opera
Listening Levels
The Equipment Behind the Product
Signal Processing
Live Sound Systems
Teaching with Audio Equipment
Chapter Summary
References
Index
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