It is about time. It was in 1906 that the greatest proponent of “Scientific” inquiry into Vocal Pedagogy died. Manuel Garcia Jr. lived for a century in which he played a crucial role as vocal theorist, vocal instructor and author of pedagogical treatises. 2011 seems to me a good year to start talking about the wisdom with which he taught some of the most famous singers of his day, his sisters included, and with which he filled his writings. Christmas Day 2011 seems to be the best day for celebrating all the gifts I have recieved in my life, even if Garcia only makes the cut for top ten. Merry Christmas!
I have to thank a tenor for the push I needed to get started. I guess it takes a tenor to convince a tenor. Many thanks to Martín Nusspaumer. Oh, by the way, if you can’t make a connection between 1906 and 2011 then you might not be a tenor.
I want to pick at the fabric of confusion that I hear covering voices everywhere I turn. Garcia addresses this problem in his books and I want to talk about it.
These blogs are a starting point from which I will say what I think needs to be said. In other words: It’s time to put up or shut up. I insist that technology is useful and should be used to improve a singers results. I used every technical advantage I could when I called myself a singer. It’s time to start acting as if I still believe technology is useful, even though I’ve changed my trade name from singer to voice teacher.