The Benefits of Mixing Vernacular and Classical Techniques in the Voice Studio
Given the stylistic tradition of classical repertoire in the voice studio and on the operatic or concert stage, classical technique often places emphasis on one part, or register, of the voice. In very broad terms, female singers use mainly the head register, and male singers use mainly the chest register. This is not to say that female classical singers never access the chest register, or that male classical singers the head register, but most classical repertoire lends itself to one or the other, depending on the voice type. In musical theatre singing, however, there is more flexibility with the use of registers, especially in the female voice. A hallmark of this technique is creating a singing quality that is almost identical to the speaking voice. To produce this sound, female musical theatre singers use a chest-dominant sound in a larger part of the range than do female classical singers. When taught healthily, musical theatre singing will strengthen the muscles that are typically not used in the classical female’s middle and upper ranges, yielding greater flexibility in all parts of the range. Using these techniques in the classical voice studio will greatly support the nurturing and strengthening of the entire voice, which fosters resilient and versatile singers, regardless of style.
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