Methodology
What’s the difference between the standard teaching approaches and the SLS model?
- Standard teaching from a classical vocal model involves teaching a singer to vocalize mainly in their “head voice” with no connection to their “chest voice” or speaking voice. This quality of singing is useful for singing classical and operatic literature but doesn’t translate to other styles of music. It can also cause physical vocal issues that can affect the overall stamina and longevity of a singer’s voice, no matter what style of singing they choose. (*Note: This description applies more to a female classically trained singer, for the male classical voice read the description following).
- Standard teaching from a musical theater and/or rock model involves teaching a singer to “belt” entirely in their “chest” register or speaking voice. This method teaches a singer to push their speaking voice to it’s capacity causing strain, “pitchyness” and ultimately leading to vocal damage.
- A Speech Level Singing approach involves releasing strain from the student’s voice by creating a smooth, easy “connection” between a singer’s chest and head registers and keeping the larynx at “speech level”. We refer to this connected tone as “mix”. This approach to vocalizing allows a singer to sing any note in their range with an enviable mix of power and ease unparalleled in any other method of study.
- The SLS method also uses an “assist” approach rather than a “results” approach. What this means is that, for example, rather than asking a singer to place their tone into “the mask” (which they ultimately have no idea how to accomplish), a SLS instructor will give a student the tools to discover that feeling for themselves. Once they’ve experienced that feeling they may choose to describe it any way that seems appropriate for them.
