Speech Level Singing???

[stella985]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:09pm

Anyone know if this technique is any good? I guess the main guy behind it (Seth Riggs) is in LA, but he has a teacher in NYC? It sounded interesting and like it might be good, but I really couldn't tell.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:13pm

there is good technique (which is healthy) and bad technique which ruins your voice.. however, not every technique works for every person. Try it and see if it works for you

[soapguy17]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:16pm

It honestly depends on what you what to do with your voice. If you wanted to be a pro (in musical theater) then I suggest that you start with classical training. (Just to gain the ability to work in many different types of musicals.) If you just enjoy singing and community theater, then SLS is a good method to take on. From what I've been told, the impovement rate is pretty rapid. But, most of it's students couldn't handle musicals like Candide.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:32pm

soapy is correct. Classical training is the best base for any singer, and teaches you the strength and technique you'll need for getting through 8 shows a week without having to live the life of a monk.

Once you have that training, you can easily learn to adapt your vocal style to fit most other styles, depending on its natural sound.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:41pm

maybe i'm an idiot.. but what exactly is speech level singing? =/

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 3:51pm

speech level singing is great if you speak correctly...many people don't.

this is a nice method to refine your current technique, but probably not a good starter technique.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 4:36pm

Here's what I know, the training is expensive, and it assumes that you have a basis in normal vocal production. I would pick up a copy of "Singing for the stars" which is Seth's book. It includes a workbook of exercises as well as a CD that has him going over the exercises with you.
The technique primarily focuses on eliminating the Passagio, or Break. When you hear people talking of "Mixing" they are usually referring to the area of your voice that this type of training stresses.
I think that any good voice teacher will be able to give you the improvements you seek. Vocal Production is something that has been studied for thousands of years. There is no Magic bullet that eliminates all problems. What works for one person and their individual bad habits and problems will probably not work for others.
I do ,however, think it is interesting that people have cast this method off as one that is for Community Theater, and one that would make it difficult for you to withstand the rigors of an 8 show week. The whole theory behind this method of singing is to reduce fatigue and strain.

[Jesus]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 4:47pm

Speech Level Singing is Classical technique. It is traditional Bel Canto technique adapted to be even more versatile and applicable to contemporary music. A good SLS teacher is the most valuable asset a singer can have.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 4:54pm

Yes, the concepts of SLS and classical are the same, they are just attained using different methods.

I personally have a basis in classical, and use SLS on top of that.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:01pm

That's right! I remember reading that Seth adapted the Bel Canto method.

[stella985]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:05pm

Thanks everyone. The whole finding a voice teacher thing has been very confusing. I took lessons growing up, but taking them in NY seems to be an entirely different thing. I'm interested in musical theatre, but I want to make sure my voice stays healthy and that I have a large range, so if classical is the way to go I'd be fine with that. I thought SLS sounded interesting because it was supposed to help you not have a break (or at least not a very noticable one) and I heard about a teacher in NY (Wendy Parr I believe). I've also considered other teachers like Liz Caplan, but then I heard she doesn't accept new students and I'm not sure how I feel about going to one of her assistants...Yeah, so to conclude, really any advice in this area would be great :)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:08pm

If you're trained classically, you won't have a "break."

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:13pm

Well, technically you will have a break but you will know how to sing through it without it being perceptible to the listener.

Updated On: 12/17/06 at 05:13 PM

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:14pm

http://www.speechlevelpodcast.com/

Speech Level Singing podcast. Basicly they're mini SLS lessons.

[stella985]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:13pm

Ok so I guess adding on to my original post: Could anyone reccomend good classical voice teachers in NY?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 8:14pm

My NY teacher doesn't teach anymore, and I honestly don't know any others.

[stella985]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 11:00am

Another question to add on to this- does anyone know if any of the teachers in the voice division of Juliard teach privately to people who don't go to school there?