Singing with your whole self : the Feldenkrais method and voice / Samuel H. Nelson and Elizabeth Blades-Zeller ; illustrated by Amy Walts.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nelson, Samuel H.

Contributor:

Blades, Elizabeth L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Singing--Instruction and study.

Singing.

Music--Performance--Physiological aspects.

Music.

Feldenkrais method.

Music--Performance.

Physical Description:

ix, 171 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2002.

Summary:

Teaches performers to use the Feldenkrais Method to ameliorate problems of tension, muscle strain, and illness in order to obtain optimal vocal performance. Singing with Your Whole Self contains an important and unique feature: modularized Feldenkra

Contents:

Relating the Feldenkrais Method to the Teaching of Singing 1

Overview of the Feldenkrais Method 3

Key Ideas in the Development of the Feldenkrais Method 5

Kinesthetic Imagination 8

Relationship of This Work to Pedagogical Literature 10

Awareness Through Movement 13

Introduction to the Lessons 13

Mini-ATM: Freeing the Neck to Turn Freely 17

Chapter 2 Control and Letting Go 19

Active Control 19

Allowing or Passive Control 21

ATM: Weights and Levers 22

Tension and Function 26

ATM: Taming Tongue Tension 27

Chapter 3 The Base of Support 33

The Role of Feet and Legs 33

ATM: Balance in Standing 35

Using the Floor 40

ATM: The Connection of Feet Through to Head 41

High Heels 46

Leg-Length Differential 47

A Simple Exercise: Strengthening the Adductors 48

Chapter 4 Intentionality and Effort 49

Intention 49

Efforting 51

Power and Potential 52

Reversibility Principle 54

The Whole Is Not the Sum of the Parts 55

Chapter 5 Pelvic Power 57

The Pelvis 57

Vocal Context: Powering from the Power Base 58

ATM: Pelvic Clock 61

The Pelvis in Sitting 67

ATM: The Role of the Pelvis in Sitting Erect 68

Chapter 6 Breathing 73

Mechanics of Breathing 73

ATM: Breathe and Find Your Center 76

Recovery from Illness 80

ATM: Lengthening the Lungs 81

Chapter 7 Upper Trunk Flexibility 89

The Upper Trunk 89

ATM: Freeing the Ribs 90

The Midspine 95

ATM: Lateral Flexion 96

Scoliosis 102

Mini-ATM: Evening the Sides 103

Chapter 8 Shoulder Girdle and Arms 105

Shoulders and Breath 105

ATM: Reaching Out 106

Shoulder Tension 112

ATM: Shoulder Release 112

Chapter 9 Head and Neck 117

Positioning the Head 117

ATM: Relating Head and Pelvis 118

Role of the Head in Vocal Production 124

ATM: Relating Shoulders, Neck, and Jaw 125

Headaches 129

Mini-ATM: Releasing the Neck 130

Chapter 10 Hands and Mouth 133

Relationship of Hands and Tongue 133

Shoulders and Hand Tension 134

ATM: Magic Hands 135

Imaginary Warm-Ups 138

The Mouth 138

ATM: Softening the Mouth 140

Chapter 11 The Eyes 145

Role of the Eyes in Movement 145

Releasing Minor Neck Cricks 147

Visual Tension 147

ATM: Releasing the Eyes 148

Glasses 152

Ocular Muscles and the Sinuses 153

ATM: Eyes Relate to Jaw 153

Chapter 12 Pedagogical Uses for This Volume 157

Student Use 157

Group (Class) Voice and Ensemble Rehearsal Use 157

Teacher Use (Private Studio Voice) 158

Appendix Functional Integration 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 164) and indexes.

ISBN:

0810840499

OCLC:

47054809