LLMT 401 - Finding Your Voice: An Introduction to Singing

Learn the basics of singing in a non-threatening group setting. We will discuss anatomy, different voice types, and various singing styles from classical to pop. Through vocal exercises and movement, we will investigate the whole singing body, learning breath awareness and different techniques for resonance. We'll also work with the speaking voice to discover how singing and communication connect. Readings and recordings will supplement in-class activity, so students can hear a wide range of music and get a feel for the role of the human voice in cultures around the world. Students will be encouraged to think about their own experience with singing and how they identify, or don't, with the sounds they make. During class discussion, we will explore the process of discovering each person's unique voice, keeping in mind Miles Davis' words: 'It takes a lifetime to sound like yourself.'