WHAT IS SPEECH LEVEL SINGING
There is a trend in the voice teaching of pop, rock, and Broadway styles of singing
today that many call speech level singing. What does this term mean and what is the
true story behind this movement toward speech level singing? In actual truth,
speech level singing is a contradictory term. Healthy singing requires much more
opening of the acoustical space than speaking. Opposite to what many book
publishers would like you to think, there is NO grid of exercises that will solve all
the vocal issues of any individual singer.
Responsible professional vocal coaches can tell you that every singer needs
individualized instruction and there is no formula to fix vocal problems. Nor is there
one formula that will help someone become a polished singer using learning media.
Some media is more effective than others, but any good teacher will tell you that
nothing replaces an excellent vocal professional.
Every individual uses different levels of correct or incorrect speech patterns in the
act of language expression. Therefore, basing an entire technique on speech level is
only as effective as the correct speaking habits of that individual singer or amateur.
Admittedly, there can be benefits in approaching the belt voice with this concept for
the simple reason that it lessens the pressure on the larynx. Defining speech level
singing is easy, it is really simply words on pitch, but this does not constitute a
complete technique for healthy singing. Considering the incorrect speaking habits of
many individuals and the fact that speech requires less acoustical space than
singing, it only makes clear sense that this approach can have some large missing
pieces of instruction.
Historical Background:
Speech level singing is an approach that has actually existed for years in private
teaching studios in New York, but today’s marketing experts have given it a name
or label and many have benefited financially from this label, a label that insinuates
THE correct way of approaching singing or THE vocal knowledge. This is a great
marketing ploy and it really fools many people into thinking this is THE way to
approach contemporary styles of singing. If you look at singers from the 1950’s,
most of them used what today is called speech level singing. From Sinatra to Elvis to
Ella Fitzgerald, these singers used a contemporary style without using tremendous
pressure on the larynx. Definitely lyricism of style invited a lighter approach in
using chest register. However, in the 1960’s when the rock musicals came to
Broadway, the heavy belting began to develop as a trend; one that cost many singers
their vocal health AND their careers. The result was a tremendous amount of
business for the throat doctors.
In truth, speech level singing has been around as long as theater stage singing has
existed to one degree or another. What defines the concept of speech level singing
and what are the pitfalls and the benefits? First of all, it is CRITICALLY important
to investigate deeply before seeking any type of instruction? What are the benefits,
BUT even more importantly, what are the DANGERS? It is a safe training, or can
there negative damaging effects?
Benefits and Drawbacks
Learning speech level singing is a technique of instruction where the singer is
instructed to use less vocal energy in approaching the act of singing (especially
belting), an approach from which many belting singers may benefit. Singing is often
compared to the energy and lightness of speaking and if a singer has a history of
heavy belting or of placing tremendous breath pressure and/or muscular tension on
the larynx while singing, this approach can lessen the tension. This lighter approach
to belting helps to develop an approach that encourages less vocal cord mass. At this
point, the singer can learn to mix more head voice into his/her production. This
lessens the wear and tear on the voice considerably, although it does not create
enough acoustical space to fully protect the throat. The operative term in using this
approach is “damage control”.