Roses and Butterflies!
Singers! Here is an artsy image to perceive but will assist your technique and musicality. You must think of your notes and instrument as roses, and butterflies! I don't really mean this, it is merely an apt metaphor. So, what do I mean? Well, so often I hear singers that rush through their vocalises and song passages. During and after the onset, and breath connection the instrument needs (slight) time to shift and launch, this is nano-seconds but will make all the difference. Roses must bloom and butterflies mustn't be crushed. Notes must find more release more space and more follow-through. Singing is sighing and so often if the note is not allowed to follow through; (even while singing a very short 16th or 32nd note, a patter song, or a highly conversational (sprechstimme) style) the instrument will tense, grip, and a grunt (often use of high abs and high larynx is a culprit) will occur instead of a singing-sigh. A note, or phrase, must bloom, must launch; if the note is not the sound is held, tight, and not developed. Also, the instrument like a butterfly (and the notes of a phrase, etc.) must not be crushed. The larynx should possess the open-throated-appogia ideal (happy to discuss in another entry). The cords shift and the larynx tilts and does move, etc., but not crushed or strangled. Another image is a pop corn kernel (which those words “pop-corn-ker-nel” are also a very strong mix-belt vocalise (but I digress), the kernel must fully pop or bloom for it to be delectable. This is similar to the instrument and (vocal) music. Both must release and encompass an entirety even in a short passage or note to promote optimal instrument usage, capability, and beautiful sound. Yes, you mustn’t be a pig and sing your notes for excessive length, but a note usually must feel and process much longer to the singer for it to be musical and technically valued. The instrument must release as one sings while maintaining cord closure, little to no slack, lavish resonance, and controlled and supported breath. Enjoy!
