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.

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