Janice L Chapman

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Singing and Teraching Singing - jacket courtesy of Plural Publishing Singing and Teaching Singing: A Holistic Approach to Classical Voice
Janice L Chapman

REVIEW by David Mason
As Janice Chapman states in the introduction to her new book, Singing and Teaching Singing, A holistic approach to Classical Voice, vocal pedagogy has changed significantly during the last 20 years as our scientific knowledge of the workings of the voice has increased. She herself has been at the forefront of this scientifically based , multidisciplinary approach to singing teaching, having contributed to scientific research, and collaborating with many important figures from the scientific and medical world.

She describes her vocal pedagogy as Holistic; dealing with the whole person (body, mind, spirit, emotion and voice); Physiological, based on the laws of anatomy and muscular function; and Incremental, meaning that singing can be broken down into manageable components, thus enabling the development of a truly secure technique. There are teachers who shy away from an overtly physiological approach, believing that if the singer thinks too much about his diaphragm, larynx, etc, then the pupil will be inhibited and physically blocked rather than liberated. And it is true that to read about vocal physiology in isolation is not necessarily very helpful. However none of these reservations apply to the present work.

Apart from presenting some of the clearest explanations of vocal physiology I have come across, every page is informed by years of practical experience in the studio. The core components of her model consist of the practice of the ‘Primal sound’ which is profoundly connected to the breathing and support system, the latter being dependent on good postural alignment. These three main core components are clearly explained; in particular the controversial subject of breathing and support is addressed in way which is both scientific and practical. There is a further chapter later in the book by ENT consultant John Rubin which explains vocal and respiratory anatomy in greater depth, which should provide teachers with concrete information to help them in their work.

Related to the core components of the model, and in a sense dependent upon them for efficient functioning are such topics as phonation, resonance, articulation. Again Chapman explains the workings of the larynx in an impressively clear manner, explaining attack, registers, etc.

The comprehensive nature of her vocal pedagogy is most impressive; apart from the core components she tackles topics such as use of the jaw, tongue in singing convincing Italian vowels, or articulating consonants, how to achieve a ‘ringing’ tone. Despite her stated advocacy of a scientifically informed vocal pedagogy, she does not reject traditional ideas, indeed a number of her vocal exercises are from old traditions of singing; however she explains how these ideas actually work.

Apart from the contribution of John Rubin there are contributions by other colleagues of Janice Chapman; of particular interest are those by Pamela Davis, on the Voice and the Brain, and Adrian Fourcin, on Hearing and Singing. This book cannot be too highly recommended, to singers and singing teachers; the sheer wealth of scientific and practical information is most impressive. Chapman herself states that it is impossible to learn singing from a book; however with this work she comes close to contradicting herself!

Reproduced with kind permission from The Singer magazine, August/September edition 2006. To subscribe visit www.rhinegold.co.uk

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