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Vocal-teaching practice: violations of the vocalists’ voice function at the initial stage of learning
Section 4. Musical arts
Valiulina Margarita Rifkatovna, Laureate of National and International Competitions, St. Petersburg State Conservatory named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, professor, the Faculty of vocal studies and stage directing; St. Petersburg State budget educational institution of secondary education with in-depth study of subjects musical cycle «Tutti», lecturer, the Department of solo singing E-mail: [email protected]
Tchernigovskiy Mikhail Maksimovic, Laureate of International Competitions E-mail: [email protected]
Vocal-teaching practice: violations of the vocalists’ voice function at the initial stage of learning
Abstract: One of the most important periods in the skills formation of a vocalist is the initial stage of learning, when the proper knowledge of breathing and the most rational vocal technique are laid. The correct classification of the voices hould happen during this period, the timbre of the voice, its range and tessitura should determine. In case of these functional bases violations there are violations in coordination of the functions of the vocal apparatus various elements and a distorted system of complex conditioned reflexes is formed in the cerebral cortex. This can develop occupational diseases of the functional nature, the symptoms of which may be similar to those of viral or bacterial origin. Activities aimed at the musical knowledge acquisition by phoniatrists and medical knowledge by vocal teachers are necessary; the joint work ofvocal teachers, doctors-otolaryngologists, phoniatrists, phonopedists and physiologists will become more effective.
Keywords: vocal pedagogy, functional dysphonia, diseases of the functional nature, voice function rehabilitation, vocal-pedagogical education.
The initial stage of learning is one of the most important periods in the professional formation and development of the singing voice. This is due to the fact that during this time coordination of the functions of the vocal apparatus various elements is formed, carried out by the central excitatory system. It is the formation of the whole complex system of conditioned reflexes, which are the physiological basis of singing and speech phonation.
Singing is appropriate to engage in during the childhood. Eleven-thirteen age is the most suitable time for solo singing training. The anatomical and physiological development opportunities of the child at this age reach the appropriate level, as well as the development of children’s vocal organ, so before puberty no complications might appear. During the period of mutation, at this age, continued vocal training is quite possible in a rigorous
approach to the borders of this age opportunities and special exercises for this period.
The first step in the establishment of any vocalist is the correct classification of the voice. Classification of voice — definition of voice species (the type of voice), depending on the basic acoustic qualities of voices: the tonal range, strength and timbre. Experience shows that it is necessary to use the advice of the doctor-phoniatrist as classification of the human voice is an extremely complex psychophysiological process carried out at a fairly pronounced subjective background, as well as the process of phonation. The initial tone range of the student should be also taken into account and it should be distinguished from the tessitura, changing after the beginning of the professional classes.
After determining of the voice classification, during several years of special education (at least four) a student
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Section 4. Musical arts
acquires and absorbs the knowledge of the correct singing breathing and the most rational vocal technique. Failure to comply with at least one of these training requirements can lead the student to a brief executive activity. Without a proper definition of the voice type the student will begin to overload the vocal apparatus, force and exceed his natural tessitura. Over time there is a lack of clarity and brightness of the sound, as well as possible changes of the voice timbre.
In case of the voice misclassification, from a physiological point of view, there is a loss of coordination functions of the vocal apparatus various elements and a distorted system of complex conditioned reflexes in the cerebral cortex is formed. When forcing the voice happens hyperemia of vocal cords comes due to swelling of the deep vessels located within the vocal folds and edema of the edges of the vocal folds, which makes inflammatory larynx diseases (acute laryngitis, including marginal laryngitis), and may even form nodules on the vocal cords.
As noted earlier, these diseases singers may result from the use of forced voting, but if these diseases have viral or bacterial origin, the inflammatory process may spread into the lower respiratory tract — the trachea and bronchi. This leads to an acute laryngotracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
It is worth noting that the violation of voting may last from 2-3 to 7-10 days after the disappearance of the larynx and trachea inflammation. A phoniatrist and a vocal teacher should decide strictly individually when to allow a student to start vocal lessons.
Disorders of voice functions simultaneously are collectively called “disphonia”, which is divided into functional and organic. This article will consider the nature of the functional dysphonia.
Functional disorders of the vocal tract can be divided into two main groups:
1. Functional dysphonia;
2. Phonasthenia.
One of the main causes of singers’ functional dysphonia, especially at the initial stage of training, is the misuse of the vocal apparatus. Works by J. Perello (1962) fully confirms this fact [2, 180]. Moreover, in his works J. Perello highlights the types of dysphonia which appeared on the basis of pathological mechanical factor impact in the misuse of the vocal apparatus or greater than normal human physiological capabilities. The task of the teacher is to distribute the load on the voice function of the pupil correctly and accurately as much as possible. This function shouldn’t exceed the limiting capabilities.
A. I. Rabinovich and S. K. Orlov (1953) believe that the lack of voice can be caused by incorrect phonation skills that emerged during the prolonged laryngitis. Research in this area fully confirms this view [1, 73]. Moreover, it is worth noting the fact that the symptoms of laryngitis and function dysphonias may be similar, therefore, diagnosis and treatment may be wrong, although there may be a positive vocal function trend restore for a while. At the same time the fact of recovery is false, moreover, there is aggravation of the disease, which can lead to the dysphonia of the organic nature.
Functional dysphonias can be regarded as a protective response of the body. This is due to the fact that in all cases their appearance is caused by the presence of the dominant focus of stagnant deceleration in the motor area of the cerebral cortex. It occurs during an acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Upon termination of inflammation in the upper airways pain agent of the irritation disappears and, as a result, the most patients’ stagnant inhibition removes and the phonation recovers.
In the prevention of children functional dysphonia preventive activities are important. They should be conducted by parents and teachers. A constant, persistent and uncompromising struggle with loud conversation and singing at home and in educational institutions should be carried out. It is necessary to teach children to speak calmly and quietly, within the natural and normal for the age limits. Any kind of noise, loud talking, screaming, screeching should be prohibited, justifying it as a manifestation of a low cultural level. Also it is necessary to strive to speak to children in a low, calm voice, so they will be easier to understand and accept your point of view.
A teacher, or rather, teacher’s sense of hearing and professionalism play an important role in this situation. At the first symptoms of vocal function violation, the teacher assignsa student the mode of the voice calmness and consulting a doctor-phoniatrist. The doctor will determine the exact diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In case functional dysphonia of different kinds doctors prescribe a course of rehabilitation of voice function. In this course, in addition to medical treatment, they may include phonopedist classes, in some cases — physiotherapy.
Treatment of the functional dysphonia should be physiologically justified. Its main task is to improve the mobility of cortical processes, removal of pathological focus of the stagnant inhibition in the cortex of the brain, and restore the original reflex mechanisms.
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Genesis semantics of means musical expressiveness in vocal work of “Cold Morning” by Anna Kovalova
After the rehabilitation, a period of professional recovery comes. This period should begin gradually, preferably during the last phonopedist sessions. Lecturers should carry out psychological education for the student in that period of time, instilling confidence that the vocal apparatus is required to recover.
Certainly during the first lessons a teacher has to pay attention only to orthophonic exercises to achieve a smooth and long exhalation, combined with the reading of the text, completely eliminating exercises of vocal voice type. The particular attention should be given to the exercises to strengthen the muscles of the palato-pharyngeal valve and activation of the soft palate. The teacher should consult with the phoniatrist who conducted a rehabilitation course with a student. Phoniatrist can choose exercises that are suitable to the child, taking into account all the individual characteristics.
It is worth noting that the activities of a preventive nature should be present in the work with vocalists, namely the periodic otolaryngologist examination. This applies not only singers who are at the initial stage of learning. In our view, this inspection should be carried out not less than once every six months. Moreover, in the event of the primary symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) a student should immediately contact the ENT doctor. If necessary, the ENT doctor may consult a phoniatrist to prevent pathologies of the vocal
cords, which often happens with SARS, especially prolonged. Timely detection of vocal function violations allows to cure illness painlessly and to return to classes faster.
Fr. Lamperti, in his book “The Art of Singing" pointed out that “the student should try singinga little solfeggio and training a lot vocalizes because singing with syllables extremely tires a throat” [3, 6]. This directive is one of the most successful in preventing any violations of vocal function and pedagogical practice of V. M. Lu-kanin and N. A. Serval, Honored Artist of the RSFSR and the professors of the Leningrad State Conservatory named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, who trained a galaxy of outstanding singers and teachers, fully confirms the correctness of these instructions.
Issues of development and education of the singing voice for individual learning needs more publicity in the literature, based on the experience of teachers, singers, phoniatrists and researches of the scientists involved in the problem. Currently, the methods of young singers teaching need to be further developed in the relevant scientific research institutes of health, musical and pedagogical profile. To successfully address this question, we need activities aimed at the acquisition of musical knowledge by phoniatrists and medical knowledge by vocal teachers, as the joint work of vocal teachers, doctors-otolaryngologists, phoniatrists and physiologists will be more effective.
References:
1. Zaritskii L. A. Practical phoniatrics./L. A. Zaritskii, V. A. Trinos, L. A. Trinos. - K.: Vishcha school. Head Publishing House, 1984. - 168 p.
2. Maximov I. Phoniatrics: Hardcover with the Bulgarians. V. D. Sukharev - M.: Medicine, 1987. - 288 p.
3. Lukanin V. (Compiled and edited by E. Nesterenko) Teaching young singer. - M.; L.: Music, 1977. - 87 p.
Poklad Nadezhda Sergeevna, P. I. Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kiev, postgraduate student, Department of Ukrainian Musical History and Folklore E-mail: [email protected]
Genesis semantics of means musical expressiveness in vocal work of “Cold Morning” by Anna Kovalova
Abstract: Interpretation of genesis semantics of means musical expressiveness in a vocal work "Cold Morning" by Anna Kovalova. Holistic analysis of the musical text.
Keywords: musical symbols, musical program, semantics, Genesis, Anna Kovalova.
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