June 5, 2014: Open Throat: Part 3: Front-to-Back Space One space that is rarely defined or investigated thoroughly is that of the front-to-back space in the pharynx. This is the space between the tongue-root and the back wall of the pharynx. The sensation can be easily compared to the German School concept of achieving a ‘back and down’ vowel space. The problem is that while some singers find this concept tremendously helpful, others find it devastating to resonance due to possible resulting tongue retraction. Any specific focus on opening more acoustical space must be accompanied with a forward arched tongue position. Otherwise the tongue acts as a ‘mute’ to the voice, over-darkening it and making it difficult to access the high range. Why? Because when the root of the tongue sits too low, it places pressure directly at the glottis. Then the vocal folds cannot stretch and pivot properly for the upper register. If the tongue retracts, it fills the pharynx with tongue-mass, resulting in this ‘mute effect’. Over-Spacing: Some singers try to find the open throat by overdoing or overstretching. I often refer to this as ‘over-spacing’ or stretching to the point that the tongue retracts and the side-walls of the throat become hyper-extended. Known as the ‘heave reflex’ or ‘full-vomit’ reflex, it blocks healthy phonation and tends to pull the tongue back into the pharynx. The antidote to over-spacing is use of the ‘ng’ or the ‘nj’ as in the Russian word ‘niet’. These concepts protect the ring factor in the voice because they bring the tongue further out of the pharynx, proving that tongue retraction is the main reason for loss of ring in the voice. Dixie Neill used a wonderful analogy with me during my study with her. She used the image of ‘dangling a salty herring behind the root of the tongue’. It is a strong image and gives one the idea of the ‘pre-vomit’ reflex. A Healthy Approach: I often address the opening of the back of the neck in order to access the ‘front-to-back’ space. Using the idea that C2 and C3 vertebrae are moveable when stretching for the open throat can be extremely useful. I have the singer place their fingertips on these two vertebrae and have them feel these two points open backwards when breathing. Then I ask the singer to breathe these 2 points open while breathing the tongue position forward and arched, much like the ‘ng’ position. Immediately this helps to stretch the back wall of the pharynx without tongue retraction. Lindquests joyful surprise breath allowed the singer to access full throated space, and because it was taught with the ng tongue position, it protected the ring factor in the voice. In the end, I use the ‘front-to-back’ concepts less often than the other concepts described in the two earlier posts, which describe the East-West stretch or the North-South stretch. But in some cases, when the throat has been closed for years and years, the ‘front-to-back’ concept can be extremely helpful. Addressing ‘Mouthy Vowels’: In the end, the instructor’s goal is to correct ‘mouthy vowels’ or vowels that do not access the fuller acoustical space of the voice. Since the pharynx IS the primary resonator, it is imperative that both teacher and singer find a way to open the acoustical space so that the singer can access his/her full instrument. This does not mean heavy singing. It does not mean loud uncontrolled singing. In fact, I have found that when singers access their fullest acoustical space, they have much more control of the voice. This is because when the throat fully opens, the body must connect fully as well, resulting a healthy approximation of the vocal folds. This coordination results in more vocal control in general. Note: In teaching larger voices, finding full dynamic range can take longer. But it is definitely attainable with time and practice. In the end, the open throat is necessary for all of us to sing well. I call the open acoustical space or open pharynx the ‘shock absorber’ for the vocal cords. When achieved, the singer can depend upon resonance to make a larger sound rather than the use of too much breath pressure. Wishing you a wonderful day! David
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:38:35 +0000
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