Abstract

Based on how singing teachers and opera singers (teaching singing) apply imagination techniques in singing training, this study examines the use of these techniques in singing training. The data for the study using qualitative research method was collected through semi-structured interviews. A descriptive analysis was performed on the data collected from 18 individuals, including 13 academics and five opera singers. Overall, the study concluded that the following images are used by experts to describe the skills necessary to learn to sing correctly and effectively: adopting an appropriate posture, breathing properly, activating the required reflexes to keep the body aligned and working in balance and coordination, closing the vocal cords properly, opening up the resonance cavities, placing the voice correctly with a precise articulation, work rendition, and dynamics.

Keywords

References

• An, Y. (2008). Exploring effective singing techniques for singing piano dynamics and their applications for the lyric soprano voice [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Temple University, Philadelphia, USA.
• Avernio, O. (1989). Principles and art of singing. Tanska.
• Bellon, D. (2006). Application of sport psychology to music performance: A study based on a review of sport psychology literature and selected interviews with professional musicians. Arizona State University.
• Bowes, P. L. (2009). An exploratory study of the use of imagery by singing professionals: Applications of a sport psychology framework [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of South Florida, USA.
• Carter, M. R. (1993). Mental imagery in the science and art of singing: An inquiry into imagery use by a select group of professional singers [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, USA.
• Davis, P. (2017). Voice and the brain. In Chapman, J. L. (Eds), Singing and teaching singing. Plural Pub.
• Davran, Y. (1997). Şarkı söyleme sanatının öyküsü [The story of singing art]. Önder Pub.
• Doganyigit, S. & Islim, O. F. (2021). Virtual reality in singing training: a case study. Music Education Research, 23(3), 391-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2021.1879035
• Emmons, S., & Thomas, A. (2008). Understanding performance anxiety. Journal of Singing, 64(4), 461–465.
• Freed, D. C. (2000). Imagery in early twentieth-century American singing pedagogy. Journal of Singing The Official Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, 56(4), 5-12.
• Galvan, M. G. (1992). Kinesthetic imagery and mental practice: Teaching strategies for the piano principal. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Miami, USA.
• Hanrahan, C., Tétreau, B., & Sarrazin, C. (1995). Use of imagery while performing dance movement. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 26(3), 413–430.
• Herbert-Caesari, E. F. (1951). The voice of the mind. Robert Hale.
• Leppert, R. (2017/1996). Sanatta anlamın görüntüsü imgelerin toplumsal işlevi [Art and the committed eye: The cultural functions of Imagery] (Trans. İ. Türkmen). Ayrıntı Pub.
• Lillis, A. D. (2020). Imagery and science in singing pedagogy: A debate introduction and literature review. Voice and Speech Review, 15(1), 89-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/23268263.2020.1753342
• Linklater, K. (1976). Freeing the natural voice. Drama Book Pub.
• Linklater, K. (2006). Freeing the natural voice: Imagery and art in the practice of voice and language. Nick Hern Books.
• Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. Jossey-Bass.
• Michael, D. (2010). Voice pedagogy-dispelling singing myths. Part 1:" Sing from your diaphragm!". Journal of Singing-The Official Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, 66(5), 547-551.
• Miles, M, B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage.
• Moorcroft, L. (2007, December 5-7). Directional imagery in voice production [Paper presentation]. The Inaugural International Conference on Music Communication Science, Sydney, Australia.
• Nideffer, R. (1976). The inner athlete: Mind plus muscle for winning. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
• Patenaude-Yarnell, J. (2003). The private studio: Sensations of singing: A look at time honored maxims, descriptions, and images. Journal of Singing-The Official Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, 60(2), 185-189.
• Phillips, P. (2011). Singing for dummies. Wiley.
• Puritz, E. (1956). The teaching of Elisabeth Schumann. Methuen.
• Reid, C. L. (1971). Functional singing training. Journal of Orgonomy, 4(2), 231-249.
• Rodenberg, P. (1992). The right to speak: Working with the voice. Methuen.
• Sabar, G. (2008). Sesimiz eğitimi ve korunması [Our voice - training and protection]. Pan Pub.
• Sweigard, L. (1975). Human movement potential: Its ideokinetic facilitation. Dodd, Mead and Co.
• Tok, Ş. (2017). Öğretme-öğrenme strateji ve modelleri [Strategies and models of teaching and learning]. In A. Doğanay (Ed.), Öğretim ilke ve yöntemleri [Principles and methods of teaching] (p. 385-410). Pegem Pub.
• Ware, R. (2013). The use of science and imagery in the voice studio: a survey of voice teachers in the United States and Canada. Journal of Singing 69(4), 413–417.
• Westerman, G., & Miranda, E. R. (2002). Modelling the development of mirror neurons for auditory-motor integration. Journal of New Music Research, 31(4), 367-375.
• Winnie, B. J. (2014). Contemporary singing technique in the choral rehearsal: Exploratory strategies for learning [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Washington, USA.
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2013). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri [Qualitative research methods in the social sciences]. Seçkin Pub.
• Yılmaz Davutoğlu, A. (2015). Doğal sese ulaşabilmek: Linklater metodunun eğitim perspektifinden analizi [Achieving the natural sound: Analysis of the Linklater method from an educational perspective]. İdil Journal of Art an Language, 4(17), 147-167. https://www.doi.org/10.7816/idil-04-17-10
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage.
• Yurdakul, A. M. (2000). Ses eğitimi [Singing training]. Lir Pub.

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.