A Handbook for the Development of an Expressive Voice - III. Inhalare la voce

This is a term that originates from the great teacher, Giovanni Battista Lamperti, 1839-1910. Inhalare la voce means: inhaling the voice. The feeling of inhalation of tone assists the entire breath support in keeping the muscles of the body from collapsing. As we know from my entry on breath support, the body, and not the throat or larynx, controls the tone. Should, however, the singer not have the feeling of inhalation, he will, logically, exhale while he sings. The result is that the tone becomes breathy and the throat, lower jaw and larynx become tight, tense, and the voice unresponsive. He cannot keep his strong body support.

“Inhalare la voce” is the feeling that the tones come to the singer and not be blown-out. This feeling is in the upper head and upper pharyngeal area and is always in motion. “A tone must be self-starting, self-prolonging, and self-stopping.” Lamperti Vocal Wisdom: Maxims of Giovanni Battista Lamperti, William Earl Brown 1931 Enlarged ed. By Lillian Strongin, New York: Taplinger 1957.

Often one speaks incorrectly of “drinking in” the tones. I believe that this concept actually leads to tension because one seeks the feeling in the lower throat and pharyngeal areas. Often this is the concept that creates misunderstandings.

The feeling of “inhaling the tone” allows the singer to produce a soft onset and a freely-swinging tone.
Head resonance is activated.

Absolutely necessary is that the singer consciously refuses to allow tension in the throat and lower jaw. He must strive for complete relaxation in the lower jaw which allows the larynx also to relax.
Perhaps this sounds amusing - for who wants a tight throat - but it is very important for the singer to seek the strongest body support, optimal relaxation in the throat, and inhalation of tone.

Having courage to strive for total relaxation in the throat, tongue and lower jaw, and using the muscles of the body to take-over fully its function of support, is a necessary decision.

• Author and date: Brenda Roberts (2009-01-27)
• Permalink: A Handbook for the Development of an Expressive Voice - III. Inhalare la voce
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