Comments on: Thoughts on “Lift” http://iansidden.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-lift/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Wed, 09 May 2012 10:28:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tenor? Baritone? Oy… | Beginning Singer http://iansidden.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-lift/comment-page-1/#comment-225 Tenor? Baritone? Oy… | Beginning Singer Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:54:30 +0000 http://lifeofabeginningsinger.wordpress.com/?p=513#comment-225 [...] Thoughts on "Lift" »    Newer: « Despite and Still Part III: "A Last Song", "My [...] [...] Thoughts on "Lift" »    Newer: « Despite and Still Part III: "A Last Song", "My [...]

]]> By: Ian Sidden http://iansidden.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-lift/comment-page-1/#comment-224 Ian Sidden Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:47:31 +0000 http://lifeofabeginningsinger.wordpress.com/?p=513#comment-224 I like your ideas very much, Johanna. What you address very clearly here is the problem of being simply overwhelmed with information. We all know that we need full breaths, a relaxed tongue, released jaw, open pharyngeal space, clear diction, and have some space left over in our minds for artistic interpretation, but this is all really hard! I like the way you break down your process into individual steps. I will have to explore this more. I like your ideas very much, Johanna. What you address very clearly here is the problem of being simply overwhelmed with information. We all know that we need full breaths, a relaxed tongue, released jaw, open pharyngeal space, clear diction, and have some space left over in our minds for artistic interpretation, but this is all really hard! I like the way you break down your process into individual steps. I will have to explore this more.

]]> By: Johanna Royo http://iansidden.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-lift/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Johanna Royo Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:51:29 +0000 http://lifeofabeginningsinger.wordpress.com/?p=513#comment-223 Lately I've been working on technique with a slow, meditative approach. Slowing down helps me to become aware of my body's own intelligence. For example, instead of reacting to a tension by trying to make the muscle relax, I simply observe it. When I do this, the tension moves-it releases-without me feeling like I had anything to do with it. Here is my process that I've been developing the last couple of weeks: 1. release the jaw. For me, I think forward and down, but this may be different for some singers. I place my hands on the sides of my face and observe it intuitively. It sometimes takes a little while, but there is always a moment it finally releases. 2. Observe the back of the tongue. I find this releases easily once my jaw is released, but if it still feels a little held, I imagine the feeling of "gentle softness" in that area. This also helps me to sense that imagined space between the ears. 3. Add the lift. I always do this last while still keeping some attention on the release of the jaw and tongue. I focus on the lift happening on the front of my cheekbones and eyebrows. I am aware of the inhalation while I do this, but I don't feel anything-not the slightest sliver of breath in my neck/throat. This is a highly individualized approach, and I'm sure I'll change it over time (as all singers need to recreate and explore continuously); however, it has really worked these last couple of weeks. It has completely cleaned up my onset. I've also noticed that once the back of my tongue releases, my lower belly releases (it took me a while to figure out that was actually happening. I don't even really feel the initiation of the tone. It feels like it comes out of nowhere, which I think is a big step forward for me. You bring up many good points about the tendency to try to force results and not evaluate approach. Good advice for everyone! Lately I’ve been working on technique with a slow, meditative approach. Slowing down helps me to become aware of my body’s own intelligence. For example, instead of reacting to a tension by trying to make the muscle relax, I simply observe it. When I do this, the tension moves-it releases-without me feeling like I had anything to do with it.
Here is my process that I’ve been developing the last couple of weeks:
1. release the jaw. For me, I think forward and down, but this may be different for some singers. I place my hands on the sides of my face and observe it intuitively. It sometimes takes a little while, but there is always a moment it finally releases.
2. Observe the back of the tongue. I find this releases easily once my jaw is released, but if it still feels a little held, I imagine the feeling of “gentle softness” in that area. This also helps me to sense that imagined space between the ears.
3. Add the lift. I always do this last while still keeping some attention on the release of the jaw and tongue. I focus on the lift happening on the front of my cheekbones and eyebrows. I am aware of the inhalation while I do this, but I don’t feel anything-not the slightest sliver of breath in my neck/throat.

This is a highly individualized approach, and I’m sure I’ll change it over time (as all singers need to recreate and explore continuously); however, it has really worked these last couple of weeks. It has completely cleaned up my onset. I’ve also noticed that once the back of my tongue releases, my lower belly releases (it took me a while to figure out that was actually happening. I don’t even really feel the initiation of the tone. It feels like it comes out of nowhere, which I think is a big step forward for me.

You bring up many good points about the tendency to try to force results and not evaluate approach. Good advice for everyone!

]]>