Weekly Insight #19: Voice as a Divine Faculty

The voice is one of the highest faculties of being human—a divine gift that allows us to shape thought, share meaning, and connect with others. Through articulated speech, we shine a light on what matters most, giving form to our emotions, ideas, and intentions. 

When we learn to use our voices with clarity and purpose, we tap into something extraordinary. It’s not just about speaking or singing—it’s about unlocking the power to communicate with authenticity and connection. 

🎤 The Role of Technique: 
Developing your voice starts with technique. Breath, articulation, and resonance are not just skills to be mastered—they are tools in your toolbox. When practiced and made habitual, they become second nature, ready to support you in expressing yourself clearly and authentically. Technique provides the foundation for bringing your thoughts and emotions into focus, helping you articulate them with precision and power. 

Adding Connection to Technique

During the pandemic, I discovered new ways to guide students remotely toward this connection between technique and authentic expression. One session stands out in my mind. A young man, an accomplished cellist, was learning a tune about love. His technique was excellent—everything in its right place, with clear words and strong vocal delivery—but something was missing. 

I could sense that he wasn’t fully connecting with the meaning of the song. Realizing that this kind of work can feel vulnerable, I suggested he turn off his camera. I asked him, in the privacy of his home, to touch something that had personal meaning to him—something only he would know—and then sing the piece again. 

The shift was immediate and profound. Without the pressure of being seen, and with a physical connection to something meaningful, he unlocked the emotional depth of the song. The technique was still there, but now it was in service of the expression, and the result was deeply moving. 

This moment reminded me that technique alone is not enough. It’s the bridge to something greater—something that connects us to the emotions and intentions behind the words we sing or speak.

✨ Guiding Others to Their Own Wisdom: 
There’s a quote I once read that has stayed with me: “A teacher can help us touch the wisdom that’s already within us.” In my work as a performer and teacher, I’ve seen how powerful it is when people access their own voice. It’s not about imposing something external but about helping others discover what’s already there—the clarity, confidence, and connection that come from using their voice fully and intentionally. 

🔑 Shining a Light Through Voice: 
The voice, as a faculty of logos—the word, the reason, the light—has the power to transform. Whether in a conversation, a performance, or a moment of personal reflection, your voice becomes a beacon, illuminating not just your own path but the paths of others. 

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending a concert at the Dakota with one of my former students, a fine and expressive singer. The duo Rachael & Vilray showcased authentic and clear vocalism, drawing the audience into a moment of profound connection. Moments like these remind me of the transformative power of voice.

Key Takeaway: Technique is the means, but the voice is the light. When you cultivate your voice, you cultivate your ability to articulate, connect, and illuminate the world around you. 

#DevelopingYourAuthenticVoice #VocalHealth #Leadership #Authenticity #Teaching 

Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #18: From Breath to Vowels—A Foundational Warm-Up 🎶

In Weekly Insight #17, we introduced the Farinelli Exercise, using breath as the foundation for vocal clarity. This week, we add the next layer: engaging your articulators—your tongue, lips, jaw, and teeth—and exploring the pure vowels /i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, and /u/.

🔑 Why Does This Matter?
Developing emotional intelligence—like refining your voice—takes consistent, intentional effort. Both require clarity, connection, and authenticity:

• Clarity: Just as clear speech or singing begins with breath and vowel work, clear communication starts with self-awareness.
• Connection: Practicing vocal exercises helps you observe the subtle ways your body shapes sound, much like emotional intelligence helps you understand your reactions and emotions.
• Authenticity: Your voice reflects who you are. Exploring foundational warm-ups builds trust in your instrument, helping you align what you say with how you say it.

🎤 Vowels, Articulators, and Emotional Expression
The five pure vowels—/i/ (see), /e/ (chaos), /a/ (father), /o/ (oh), /u/ (food)—are the building blocks of vocal clarity. Mindfully exploring these vowels helps you:

1. Engage the Articulators: Observe how your tongue, jaw, and lips naturally adjust for each sound.
2. Connect to Breath: Sustain vowels smoothly, maintaining support from the breath.
3. Express with Intention: Understanding these foundations strengthens your emotional and vocal clarity, whether in speech, song, or leadership.

Demonstrating how to engage the articulators for clear vowel production. Small, intentional movements of the tongue, jaw, and lips shape the sound and resonance of each vowel.

✨ Emotional Intelligence in Action
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Vocal exercises, like the 12-minute warm-up, provide a creative and disciplined way to build this enthusiasm.

• Repeating a simple text or melody encourages self-awareness without judgment.
• Practicing diverse vocal styles fosters empathy by engaging different perspectives and emotions.
• Authenticity in vocal work aligns your voice with your core values, creating trust and clarity in communication.

📹 This Week’s Video: From Breath to Vowels
In this week’s recording, I’ll guide you through:

1. Revisiting the Farinelli Exercise to engage your breath.
2. Introducing a Pure Vowel Warm-Up to refine articulator movement and vowel clarity.
3. Demonstrating how breath and vowel work support authentic emotional expression.

🔗 Watch the video here

For those following along, this is the second step in our 12-minute foundational warm-up. Small, intentional steps—like connecting breath and vowels—help you build a confident, authentic voice, whether you’re singing, speaking, or leading.

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Key Takeaway: Emotional intelligence and vocal clarity grow through consistent, mindful practice. By starting with breath and adding vowels, you build the tools to express yourself authentically, confidently, and clearly.

#DevelopingYourAuthenticVoice #VocalHealth #EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #OperaBiarritz

Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #17: Building Your 12-Minute Practice Plan—Start with Breath

In Weekly Insight #11, we explored the importance of breath as the foundation for vocal production, introducing the Farinelli Exercise as a way to reconnect with and steady your breath. This week, we’ll build on that foundation by demonstrating how to sustain counts in the Farinelli Exercise and showing how it fits into a complete 12-minute practice plan. 

Margaret Harshaw, one of my greatest mentors, often reminded me that short, intentional practice sessions were the key to consistent growth. She suggested sessions lasting 11–12 minutes, tailored to your unique needs but grounded in fundamental exercises to strengthen your voice. 

To frame this, let’s draw from Aristotle’s timeless principles of rhetoric: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional connection), and logos (logical clarity). 

When you think about your voice, these principles resonate deeply: 

• Ethos: Your voice’s steadiness and clarity reflect your credibility. 

• Pathos: Emotional resonance is conveyed through your tone and breath. 

• Logos: Logical expression depends on precise articulation and control. 

All three rely on one critical foundation: your breath. This is where we start—with the Farinelli Exercise, a simple yet powerful technique to activate and steady your breath. 

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The Farinelli Exercise: Master Your Breath

The Farinelli Exercise helps prepare your voice by focusing on the inhale, suspend, and exhale phases of breathing. It’s a foundational tool for aligning your breath with your vocal technique, ensuring power and control. 

Step-by-Step:

1. Inhale deeply, feeling the expansion in your ribs and abdomen. 

2. Suspend the breath for a few seconds. 

3. Exhale slowly on an unvoiced “S,” maintaining consistent airflow. 

Objective: Steady your breath, focus your mind, and ground your voice for practice. 

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Watch the Video:
To see this exercise in action, watch the video below. I’ll demonstrate how to sustain the counts and share my own adaptation of this timeless technique: 

Mastering the Farinelli Exercise: A Quick Guide for Singers and Speakers

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Introducing Your 12-Minute Practice Plan

Margaret Harshaw’s philosophy of short, tailored sessions aligns beautifully with Aristotle’s principles. Here’s an overview of a 12-minute plan: 

1. Breath Work (2–3 minutes): Start with the Farinelli Exercise. 

2. Foundational Warm-Up (5 minutes): One Note Exercise to practice vowels and observe articulators. 

3. Range Exploration (4–5 minutes): Extend your range by transitioning smoothly between pitches. 

4. Resonance Building (3–4 minutes): A Five-Note Scale on /a/, focusing on control and natural vibration. 

This week, focus on mastering the Farinelli Exercise. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the other exercises with accompanying videos to guide your practice. 

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The Key Takeaway

Aristotle’s rhetoric and Harshaw’s philosophy both remind us that intentionality is key. A short, focused practice plan allows you to build clarity (logos), express emotion (pathos), and project confidence (ethos). 

Start small. Begin with the Farinelli Exercise to connect your breath to your voice, and build from there. Over time, these simple routines will strengthen your voice and help you communicate with clarity, purpose, and authenticity—whether you’re singing, speaking, or presenting your ideas to others. 

📸 In this scene from La Traviata, Germont-père comforts his son while bearing the weight of a difficult truth. It’s a moment filled with emotional complexity—a reminder that life and communication are rarely black and white.

Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #16: Seeing Sound – Visual Learning Through the IPA

In previous insights, we introduced the five core vowels—/i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, /u/—and their role in vocal clarity. This week, we’ll focus on how these vowels transition from one to the next, much like colors blending seamlessly on a palette. 

To guide us, we turn to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This tool goes beyond describing sounds—it provides a universal system for visualizing how sounds are formed. What makes the IPA especially powerful is its inclusivity. By taking the core vowel sounds from Romance languages, it creates a system that crosses linguistic boundaries. Unlike phonetic systems tailored to specific languages, the IPA offers a way to communicate about sounds in a more versatile, universal manner. 

This accessibility is what makes the IPA such a valuable resource for vocal exploration. Whether you’re singing, speaking, or refining your technique, it helps you visualize and understand the unique ways your voice creates sound. 

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A Real-Life Example: The Power of a Round Vowel

This photo from La Traviata captures a moment where a carefully shaped, round vowel amplifies both the sound and emotional depth of the performance. The clarity of a rounded /o/ or /u/ vowel is not just technical—it’s expressive, creating resonance and presence that carry through the hall.

Using a well-shaped vowel in a dramatic moment from La Traviata. (Opéra Biarritz)

The Art of Gradual Transitions

Imagine shifting colors on a computer palette, where one shade blends effortlessly into the next. The five core vowels follow a similar progression, flowing naturally between shapes:

1. /i/ (see):
• The tip of the tongue typically touches the back of the lower teeth.
• The rest of the tongue reacts, often curving higher, depending on the speaker.
• The jaw maintains a round, vertical shape, keeping the mouth aligned for clarity.
2. /e/ (chaos):
• The tongue stays in the same position as /i/, with the tip still near the lower teeth.
• The jaw drops gradually, opening slightly more than for /i/.
3. /a/ (father):
• The tongue relaxes completely into the lower palate.
• The jaw opens further to accommodate the wider vowel shape.
4. /o/ (oh):
• The tongue stays inactive, and the lips round slightly.
• The jaw closes slightly compared to /a/, focusing the sound through the lips.
5. /u/ (food):
• Like /o/, this vowel relies on lip rounding, which becomes more pronounced.
• The tongue remains at rest, with the shape shaped entirely by the lips.

Practicing the Five Core Vowels

Here’s how to practice these vowels and observe their progression:

1. Vocalize the Sequence:
   Say the vowels in this order: 
   /i/ (see), /e/ (chaos), /a/ (father), /o/ (oh), /u/ (food).
   Focus on how each vowel flows into the next, like colors blending on a palette.

2. Mirror Work:
   Use a mirror or reverse camera to observe: 

   • The tongue’s positioning for /i/ and /e/. 

   • The jaw’s gradual opening as you progress through the sequence. 

   • The lips rounding for /o/ and /u/. 

3. Feel the Difference:
   Focus on how the front vowels (/i/, /e/) use more tongue engagement, while the back vowels (/o/, /u/) rely primarily on the lips. 

4. Record and Reflect:
   Create a video of yourself practicing the sequence. Watching your movements and hearing your sound will reinforce your learning. 

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Why This Visualization Matters

By using the IPA as a guide, you gain a universal framework for understanding vowel production. Its roots in Romance languages provide a simplicity and inclusivity that make it accessible across linguistic boundaries. This clarity allows you to focus on the physical movements—subtle shifts in the tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw—that shape these sounds. 

Adding tools like mirrors and recordings enhances your awareness, helping you see, hear, and feel your progress in real time. 

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The Key Takeaway

The five core vowels—/i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, /u/—are more than sounds. They’re tools for building clarity, consistency, and control in your voice. By practicing with intention, visualizing their transitions, and using the IPA as your guide, you’ll unlock greater confidence and precision. 

It’s also important to remember that these descriptions are general guidelines. Every voice, every mouth, and every vocal instrument is unique. As you practice, take time to observe how your own articulators—your tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw—naturally shape these vowels. 

Don’t worry if your vowels don’t align perfectly with the descriptions here. Instead, use this information as a starting point for discovery. Notice what you do and ask yourself: Is this the most efficient way for me to produce this vowel? Over time, further observation and awareness will help you unlock what works best for your voice. 

Vocal practice isn’t about rigidly following a single method—it’s about discovering the most effective way to use your unique instrument. 

Take time this week to explore these vowels. Use the visuals, tools, and exercises to deepen your connection with your voice and bring intentionality to your practice. 

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Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #15: Choosing Exercises with Purpose

Vocal exercises aren’t just warm-ups or technical drills—they’re tools to help you connect with your voice, refine your skills, and even enhance your confidence. But their impact depends on how you approach them. Without clear intention, exercises can feel routine or unproductive. Worse, they might reinforce habits that don’t serve your goals.

By practicing with purpose, however, you transform these exercises into opportunities for growth, clarity, and self-expression.

A Class in Progress: Crafting Intentional Practice

“Alright, class,” the teacher began, “let’s talk about exercises that enhance both performance and well-being.”

Emily, a young teacher, raised her hand. “How can vocal exercises help with well-being? Isn’t it just about singing or speaking better?”

“Great question,” the teacher replied. “It’s more than that. When we use exercises intentionally, we create opportunities to ground ourselves, focus, and even release stress. It all starts with one simple element: breath.”

Daniel, a business major, chimed in. “So how do we use breathing exercises intentionally?”

“We tend to think of breath as automatic, something we don’t need to focus on. But when we pause to engage with it—whether lying on the floor or standing with knees slightly bent—we become more aware of how our body reacts. This awareness helps us prepare, whether for a big presentation or just calming ourselves before a stressful moment.”

Jasmine, an aspiring TED Talk speaker, leaned forward. “So these exercises aren’t just for singers?”

“Exactly,” the teacher said with a smile. “Exercises like sirens, vocal fry, or intentional breathing can benefit anyone who uses their voice. And here’s the key: the most effective practice isn’t long or complicated. It’s short, intentional, and focused on a specific goal.”

From Habit to Intention

We all have unconscious habits—breathing automatically, clearing our throats without thought, or even fidgeting with our voices. These actions might feel useful in the moment, but they lack the depth and impact of intentional practice.

For instance:

• Breath Awareness: Turning automatic breathing into an intentional practice can improve focus and reduce stress.

• Throat Clearing: Useful for addressing phlegm, but done unconsciously, it may create tension or strain.

The goal is to make unconscious habits more deliberate, turning them into opportunities for growth. Ask yourself: What am I trying to achieve with this action?

Choosing Exercises with Purpose

When selecting vocal exercises, consider what your voice needs in the moment. Here are two examples that emphasize intentionality:

• Vocal Fry

  • Purpose: Relaxes the vocal cords, reduces excess air, and improves breath efficiency.

  • Best For: Resetting the voice after strain or refining clarity and tone.

• Sirens

  • Purpose: Builds breath pressure awareness, smooths transitions across vocal registers, and strengthens diaphragmatic support.

  • Best For: Focused practice to improve vocal control.

The key is to choose exercises thoughtfully, aligning them with your goals. Intentional practice transforms these actions from routine to purposeful.

Integrating Exercises Into Your Day

Some practices can be integrated into your daily routine without requiring significant time or preparation. Here are a few general ideas:

1. Start Your Morning with Breath Awareness:
   Lie on the floor or stand with knees slightly bent. Focus on how your body responds to breath.

2. Take a Breath Reset:
   Find a quiet space during the day and spend 1–2 minutes reconnecting with your breathing apparatus. Use this to center yourself before meetings or rehearsals.

These practices are about creating brief moments of connection with your breath and voice, rather than intensive vocal work.

Concentration Over Time

The most impactful practice doesn’t require hours—it requires focus. A few minutes of concentrated work is far more effective than a longer session without purpose. To make the most of your practice:

• Set a Goal: Decide what you want to achieve before starting.

• Pay Attention: Observe what’s different after each repetition.

• Adjust as Needed: Refine your approach based on what you notice.

A Key Takeaway

When you approach exercises with intention, they become more than drills—they become opportunities to connect with your breath, your body, and your goals.

So the next time you practice, pause and ask: What do I need right now? What am I working toward? These questions will guide you toward purposeful, effective practice.

✨ The Happy Outcome of Persistent Practice 🎶 
This photo captures the joy that comes from intentional, purposeful practice—a reminder of why we commit to honing our craft. Whether it’s singing, speaking, or any form of communication, the key isn’t perfection but persistence with purpose. 

Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #14: Your Voice as Your Calling Card

In last week’s Weekly Insight #13, we explored visual learning and its connection to mastering voice production, with a focus on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). While I’m eager to continue this journey into kinesthetic and auditory learning styles (which we’ll revisit in Weekly Insight #15), I wanted to pause for a moment to reflect on a different but equally important topic: the role of your voice as your calling card. 

This topic bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, emphasizing how the way we use our voice—whether speaking, presenting, or performing—impacts how we connect with others. Understanding the tools and techniques for vocal production is vital, but so is recognizing the way your voice represents who you are in everyday interactions. 

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The Voice as a Calling Card

This recent photo from Traviata in Biarritz reminds me of the importance of the voice, not only on stage but in every context where we want to make a strong impression. Whether we’re engaging with colleagues, presenting ideas, or building relationships, the clarity and resonance of our voice shape how our message is received. 

Our voice is often the first thing people notice about us when we speak. It carries the weight of our intentions, our emotions, and our authenticity. In many ways, it is our calling card—a representation of who we are and what we stand for. 

Think about how we remember someone’s voice. Is it calm and confident? Rushed and hesitant? The impression we leave behind isn’t just about the words we say, but how we say them. This is why refining our vocal clarity and resonance is so important—it helps ensure our message truly lands as intended. 

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Practical Tip: The Five Core Vowels

One simple yet powerful way to connect with your voice is through the practice of vocalizing the five core vowels—/i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, and /u/. 

1. Choose a comfortable pitch in the middle of your speaking or singing range. 

2. Slowly and intentionally articulate each vowel, paying attention to the subtle movements of your articulators (tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw). 

3. Notice the differences between each sound and how your body feels as you transition from one vowel to the next. 

This exercise engages multiple learning styles: 

• Visual: Use IPA symbols as a guide to help visualize each vowel sound. 

• Auditory: Listen to your own voice and observe how each sound resonates. 

• Kinesthetic: Feel the physical sensations of articulation as you produce each vowel. 

For more detailed tips on using IPA and understanding how visual tools can guide vocal clarity, you can revisit Weekly Insight #13 here. 

This practice not only helps refine your vocal clarity but also enhances your awareness of how your voice feels and sounds, giving you greater control and confidence. 

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A Pause Before Continuing the Journey

This week’s insight is a practical reflection, a brief pause in our ongoing series on learning styles. As we continue in Weekly Insight #15, we’ll dive into kinesthetic and auditory learning, expanding on the foundation built in Insights #13 and #14. For now, take a moment to consider how your voice serves as a bridge between who you are and how you connect with others. 

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Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #13: Understanding How We Learn—Part 1: Visual Learning and the Power of Seeing Sound

In our journey of voice training and development, I’ve often emphasized the importance of understanding the foundations of breath and mindful practice. But another key aspect of refining our vocal technique lies in recognizing how we each learn best. We all process information uniquely, typically through three main learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Note:
In subsequent posts, you’ll notice sections written as dialogues between a teacher and student. I’ve found that using this format helps illustrate the learning process and bring these concepts to life, much like the way I work with my own students—and myself. In fact, many of these questions are ones I’ve asked myself over the years as I’ve continued to learn and grow. Imagine yourself in this scenario as you read through, and see if the student’s questions reflect some of your own. Let’s explore these ideas together with the curiosity of an internal student, always seeking to deepen our understanding.

This week, we’ll focus on visual learning, introducing the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and how it can serve as a roadmap for your voice.

IPA not just a tasty beer:)

Visual Learning: Seeing to Understand

Visual learners thrive when information is presented in a visual format—through diagrams, symbols, or written text. In voice training, visual aids like the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) provide a map of vowel and consonant sounds, making it easier to understand how each sound is produced. The IPA helps singers and speakers see the exact positioning of their tongue, lips, and teeth, acting as a visual guide for shaping sound.

Dialogue: Understanding the Nuance of Vowels

Student: “I've heard you say that each of us has a unique vibration. How does that relate to creating my own sound?”
Teacher: “Your voice's unique vibration is like a personal signature, formed by how your vocal folds interact with the breath. This interaction is especially important in how we articulate vowels. Vowels carry the 'color' and 'texture' of our voice. Think of it as painting with sound.”
Student: “So, you’re saying that the way I shape my vowels can really make my voice my own?”
Teacher: “Exactly. Each vowel engages different parts of your vocal apparatus, and even slight adjustments can change the resonance and tone. For instance, when pronouncing the /i/ vowel, like in 'see,' people often spread the lips too wide—what I jokingly call a ‘Stewie face’ moment. Instead, aim for a rounder, more vertical embouchure. This helps keep the vowel resonant and prevents it from sounding too thin.”
Student: “I get it! The rounder shape gives a fuller sound without that thin, nasal quality.”
Teacher: “Yes, exactly. It’s a small adjustment, but it makes a big difference in clarity and resonance.”

Example Exercise: Practicing the Five Core Vowels

• Try vocalizing all five of the pure vowels in the sequence: /i/ (as in "see"), /e/ (as in "chaos"), /a/ (as in "father"), /o/ (as in "oh"), and /u/ (as in "food"). Choose a comfortable pitch in the middle of your register—not too high or too low, but somewhere in your natural speaking or singing voice. Slowly articulate each vowel, paying close attention to the subtle movements of your lips, tongue, and jaw as you transition from one to the next.

• Use the visual image of the IPA symbols alongside the English words representing these sounds. This helps reinforce the exercise’s objective: to notice how each vowel feels and where it resonates in your vocal tract. Seeing the symbols provides a visual anchor, helping connect what you feel with what you see.

• You might also try recording yourself on your smartphone. By listening back immediately, you engage the auditory learning style as well, giving you the opportunity to compare what you felt during the exercise with what you hear in the recording.

Coming Up Next: Integrating Kinesthetic and Auditory Learning

In ta future Weekly Insight, we’ll explore the kinesthetic and auditory learning styles, focusing on how physical sensations and sound feedback play a crucial role in mastering vocal technique. Stay tuned as we continue to distill and demystify these essential elements of voice production.

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.