What are the rules for monitoring effort?
- Maintain most comfortable vocal effort.
- Distinguish vocal trauma from muscle ache
- Listen harder to the muscles than the voice
- No figure is mastered until all extraneous tension is released
- Monitoring effort requires constant attention
- Hold the number until the end of the breath
Why did Jo Estill say “breathing is dynamic?”
Dynamic systems change. The do not operate in the same manner under all conditions. Different amounts of breath for different tasks.
What is a RECOIL BREATH?
Occurs when lung volume is low after going past REL. when exhalatory effort is released the ribs spring back up and diaphragm drops down creating an INVOLUNTARY ABRUPT INCREASE IN LUNG VOLUME.
Sensation of breath rushing in without having to actively breathe.
What is EFFORT?
The voltage of the Voice Production System. Kinesthetic perception. Measured on a scale of 1-10.
What did Jo Estill mean when she said “singing is an unnatural act!”
During singing and speaking, breathing is regulated by the voluntary nervous system overriding the natural biological imperative to inhale.
What were the four original voice qualities studied by Jo Estill?
- Speech
- Sob
- Twang
- Opera
What are the Operating Principles of EVT?
- Knowledge is power. Knowing how the voice works is a good thing.
- Voice production begins before the voice is heard.
- The breath must respond to what it meets in the way out.
- Voice Training is optimised when separated into 3 disciplines - Craft, Artistry and Performance Magic.
How do we retract the false vocal folds?
Silent laugh exercise.
What is REL?
Resting Expiratory Level.
Define SOURCE
The true vocal folds. True vocal fold vibration generates a pitch and overtones.
What are the biological functions of the larynx?
- Breathing
- Swallowing
- Thoracic Fixation
What can trigger false vocal fold constriction?
End of phrases (going past REL) High intensity voice qualities Emotionally challenging entrances Extremes of vocal fold range Thoracic Fixation
What is the mucosal wave?
Produced within the tissue of the true vocal folds. Edge of vocal fold deforms in such a manner that there is a fluid wave visible. Ripples through the cover from the lower border to the side.
Describe Attractor State
Describes a condition of stability during a motor task due to biomechanics and aerodynamics. Some structures are naturally attracted to to a specific condition at a given pitch or volume. Dynamical Systems Theory.
Define POWER
The lungs and torso. The breath draws the true vocal folds into vibrations (the Bernoulli principle)
Define FILTER
Vocal tract resonance. Processes the frequency components of the voice into patterns recognised as vowels, consonants and voice quality.
What are the Guiding Principles of EVT?
- Everyone has a beautiful voice.
- All voice qualities are acceptable as long as vocal health isn’t jeopardised
- No aesthetic bias.
What is the Dynamical Systems Theory?
Describes the relationship that exists among the physical, environmental and behavioural properties of motor control.
What are the 3 levels at which the larynx can open and close?
- Aryepiglottic Sphincter
- The false vocal folds
- The true vocal folds
What are the guidelines for monitoring effort?
- Locate the effort
- Assign it a number
- Hold the number
- Perform relaxation maneuvers
List the Relaxation Maneuvers
- Breathe
- Massage face, lips
- Walk briskly
- Roll tongue around teeth
- Chew
- Make short, soft vowels
- Speak normally
- Sing an NG
- Add music or monologue
Name the 12 Structures
- Head and Neck
- Velum
- Lips
- Tongue
- Jaw
- Larynx
- Aryepiglottic Sphincter
- False Vocal Folds
- True Vocal Folds
- Thyroid Cartilage
- Cricoid Cartilage
- Torso
What is the Bernoulli Effect?
Positive air pressure from the lungs forces the true vocal folds to open momentarily. PAP
High velocity air pressure produces a lowered pressure by the Bernoulli Effect which sucks them back together. HVAP
An increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with the decrease in the fluids potential energy.
