Integrating Vocal and Musical Techniques - Columbus State University

James Jordan (2005) considers the issue in his book, The Choral Warm-up: Method,Procedures, Planning and Core Vocal Exercises, saying that when students recall theirown ideas of good "posture," most of them are incorrect. He suggests using the term'alignment' instead (p. 39). In the human body, there are six points of alignment: thebase of the neck, the shoulders, the waist, the hips, the knees, and the ankles. Byaddressing each of these areas of the body, any misconceptions of alignment conducive togood singing can be corrected. There are a couple of approaches that can- be used inteaching correct alignment.Among these are "Body Mapping," which includes the abovementioned alignment points, and 'The Alexander Technique."The Alexander Technique was developed by nineteenth-century, stage actorFrederick Mathias Alexander.During Alexander's years on the stage, he found that hisvoice became hoarse easily and often.After numerous visits to various doctors proved tobe no help in diagnosing or solving his chronic condition, Alexander began to experimentwith the way he delivered his lines. After years of experimentation, he concluded thatvoice quality was completely dependant upon the coordination of the entire body.Theconcept behind the Alexander Technique is that every muscle in the body from head totoe must function in a specific manner. When the body is perfectly coordinated, all areasof performance, such as alignment and breathing, will benefit (Pawley, 2000, p. 1).Body Mapping, like the Alexander Technique, deals with an individual'sperceptions of correct posture and how these perceptions are many times damaging toperformance. These misconceptions can lead to fatigue, vocal strain, as well as othertechnical, vocal problems.