DOC The Woman Before (Oberon Modern Plays) by Roland Schimmelpfennig; David Tushingham in Arts-Photography

Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. ♫ This Book is the Founcation for Dr. Coffins "Bel Canto"By BassocantorI suspect that many readers will be confused by the two different works by Berton Coffin; that cover so many similar area. As Dr. Coffin states in the introduction; "Sounds of Singing is the "pedagogical basis for both the Chromatic Vowel chart and Overtones of Bel Canto." So; if youre interested in the research that went into his other great book; this is the place to look.The author of this complex work; Dr. Berton Coffin; was the President of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing.) He is recognized and beloved by many for his excellent research and support of that organization.▲ The two sister books by Dr. Coffin are two of the most complex; extensive; and under-utilized books in all of voice theory. My guess is that 98% of all voice students do not use his books; but its their loss! I have studied and re-studied the two sister books DOZENS OF TIMES and still have to study more! As I look it over again; may head is spinning! Its not that the book is wrong; rather that its SO MUCH to digest!▲ The theme is this: A singer can manipulate the muscles of the month and tongue; along with larynx height; so as to achieve the maximum possible resonance; for the smallest effort. Heres the key: "Bring the sung pitch and the resonance of vowels in their best relationship." In other words; shift the vowel formants to line-up (coincide) with a multiple of the pitch being sung. A singer can slightly make the vowel formants go up or down as the larynx is raised; and the various muscles in the mouth and face are altered."When the best resonance is heard and felt the singer will notice that less breath pressure is required."Dr. Coffin did extensive research in order to provide the best vowel color match for a given pitch. I am not aware of anyone else in human history who has performed this extensive; far-reaching research.▲ Probably few people know how he found the right vowel forms. He took a pitch generator; and held it in front of the singers mouth; then the singer changed the vowel form until maximum resonance was felt and heard. In some of his books; Dr. Coffin explains how to do this; but the equipment mentioned is long gone; and no longer made. (I tried to imitate his experiments; and even bought some special speakers; but without success.)▲ In order to use the exercises properly; you have to orient and use your paper "keyboard" so that the notes in the book make sense for your note range. I did that; but each person will have to take the time to get it "calibrated" properly. You have to "place the arrow" to match up. For low-voiced singers like me; I line-up the arrow on the "keyboard" so that note 23 corresponds to high e-flat. I suspect most readers will not have the patience to get this right; but the exercises dont make any sense unless you do.▲ Just like the sister book; there are tons of illustrations--many of which will require significant study to properly appreciate. The concepts discussed here are not trivial! And all of them require you to figure out the note "numbers;" depending on your vocal range. (Again; low-voiced singers have note #23 = high e-flat.)▲ The author provides numerous exercises to assist the student to choose the right vowel color for your voice and pitch. He provides explanations for how to enunciate each vowel in the exercise. Dr. Coffins books are incredibly detailed; but difficult to follow. Honestly; I doubt that most students will be able to follow them without professional assistance. Recommend most students not try to do the exercises at first; instead; study the concepts that Dr. Coffin gives you in the earlier sections of this great work.✔ All in all; an excellent book; which will take a LOT of study--and probably help from a professional vocal instructor. For those who get frustrated with this work; perhaps a better starting place would be found in the works of Shirlee Emmons; such as this:Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the BarriersEmmons also uses the same ideas as Dr. Coffin; but presents them in a more modern; simpler format.✔ In summary; I highly recommend Dr. Coffins scholarly work. Will take lots of study; but its worth it! He is certainly one of the greatest vocal teachers and researchers in modern times.♫ A Review by Chris Lawson1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. a must for any vocalistBy D. JacksonI am enjoying his book very much. The concepts are not new; but are presented in a way that helps my understanding of the voice. I especially like the vowel chart because it is helping me to access parts of my voice that I had not really been able to sing in before.I am able to sing with more ease and freedom in my high range now that I am applying the principals in the book. The information is a little technical in places; but it is also more thorough than other sources. I highly recommend this book.16 of 17 people found the following review helpful. I personally studied with Dr. Coffin. This method works!By Lois DeckerFor two years I studied personally with Dr. Coffin in graduate school. He was a genius who truly knew how the human voice works through much research from the standpoint of a physicist and a musician and pedagogist. He repaired my voice; damaged by erroneous former instruction; and added an octave to the upper range. I use this method for my students now and know it works very well when used properly; with proper understanding. The first part of the book should be helpful to all voice students in gaining an understanding of how the human singing voice works.