The Vocal Athlete.

Second Edition

Wendy D. LeBorgne, Marci Daniels Rosenberg

Details: 393 pages, B&W, Softcover, 7" x 10"

ISBN13: 978-1-63550-163-6

Companion Website

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About

A new edition is available.

The Vocal Athlete, Second Edition and the companion book The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition are written and designed to bridge the gap between the art of contemporary commercial music (CCM) singing and the science behind voice production in this ever-growing popular vocal style. This textbook is a “must have” for vocal pedagogy courses and speech-language pathologists, singing voice specialists, and voice teachers. Heavily referenced, this text is ripe with current research on singing science as it relates to the CCM voice. In addition to general singing science, The Vocal Athlete is the first book of its kind to address the unique vocal and physiologic demands of commercial singing from a sound scientific and pedagogical standpoint. Historical review of classical vocal pedagogy is interwoven and transitioned to current pedagogy of CCM. Anyone who trains singers will gain insight into the current research and trends regarding the commercial music artist.

The text distinguishes itself from other pedagogy texts by incorporating current peer reviewed literature in the area of CCM and its studio application. Also unique to this text are chapters on body alignment, traditional and holistic medicine, the lifecycle of the voice, and the physiology of belting.

New to the Second Edition

New medical chapter on Common Pathologies in Vocal Athletes
New comprehensive chapter on Perception, Aesthetics, and Registration in the Commercial Vocal Athlete
Extended sections in Motor Learning and Exercise Physiology chapters
Updated references throughout
Access to a PluralPlus companion website with PowerPoint lecture slides

Wendy D. LeBorgne and Marci Daniels Rosenberg join the VocalFri Podcast to talk about The Vocal Athlete, a landmark voice pedagogy text that was the first of its kind to fully incorporate contemporary and musical theater singing pedagogy alongside classical voice pedagogy in a fully evidence based manner. Listen here.

Related Workbook

The companion book, The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition is a practical array of vocal exercises and techniques described by experienced CCM vocal pedagogues. This workbook features access to a PluralPlus companion website with singing exercises to further enhance understanding of techniques and skills used in training these singers.

The Vocal Athlete text and workbook are invaluable tools for anyone who uses or trains the singing voice or works with CCM singers.

Reviews

"This comprehensive book provides an in-depth understanding of the vocal mechanism, specific care of the body and instrument, and the science behind the voice. It is organized into logical sections and the chapters cover key areas of interest, which makes it easy to skip to a desired topic. ...It is intended as a guide for those who work with the 21st-century vocal athlete. This book is needed in the field as there is often a gap of knowledge between traditional vocal pedagogy and current voice science, especially in contemporary commercial music (CCM). This is the only book available that synthesizes core knowledge of the vocal mechanism, vocal health, pedagogy, and accessible voice research in one publication."
—Jonelyn Langenstein, MM, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Doody's Reviews (September 2019)

"The new second edition of The Vocal Athlete contains all the substance that made the first edition such a unique resource while also introducing additional and even more current material. Perusal of the table of contents reveals two entirely new chapters. [...] Readers will find many updates throughout this second edition in the form of additional sections of text, new references, and new information that was not yet available when the first edition was published. The compendium notebook, The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, has also been updated and expanded. This second edition is a collection of 78 vocal exercises from 65 contributors, constituting an additional 34 pages of content beyond those in the first edition (14 more exercises from 13 additional contributors)."
—Brian Manternach, DM, in Classical Singer (March 2020)

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contributors

Section I. Structure & Function of the Voice

Chapter 1. The Singer’s Body: Alignment, movement, and Intention

Introduction

Kinesthetic Awareness and the Somatic Rolodex

Tension versus Release

Tensegrity

Posture and Alignment

Assessing Posture and Alignment

Beyond Posture

Body Mapping

Yoga

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 2. Respiratory Kinematics

Historical Overview of Respiratory Pedagogy

Contemporary Respiratory Pedagogical Training

Respiratory Pedagogical Summary

Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory Mechanism for the Singer

Respiratory Kinematics for Vocal Athletes—What the Research Tells Us

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 3. Laryngeal Anatomy, Physiology, and Function During Singing

Introduction

Role of the Larynx

Basic Laryngeal Anatomy and Physiology

Review of Nerve Supply to the Intrinsic Muscles

Microstructure of the Vocal Folds

Vocal Fold Vibration

Phonatory Onset

Vibrato

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 4. Neurologic Control of Voice Production

Working from the Top Down: From the Singer’s Brain to the Singer’s Body

Central Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System

Summary of Neuromotor and Neurosensory Pathways for Voice Production

Musical Performance Anxiety and Emotional Aspects of Singing

References

Chapter 5. Resonance and Vocal Acoustics

Introduction

Resonators and Resonance

Focus and Placement

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 6. Perceptions, Aesthetics and Registration in the Commercial Vocal Athlete

Introduction

History and Evolution of Vocal Registers

Registration as a Laryngeal Event

Registration ad a Vocal Tract/Timbre Event

Registration Transitions in Classical and Musical Theater Vocal Athletes

Voice Typing in Musical Theater Vocal Athletes

Summary

References

Section II. Vocal Health and Fitness

Chapter 7. Impact of Phonotrauma on Vocal Health and Singing

Introduction

What Is Phonotrauma?

Risk for Phonotrauma

Impact of Phonotraumatic Behaviors on Voice and Singing

When Is Vocal Rest Indicated?

Voice Rest and Vocal Fold Surgery

Wound Healing Physiology

Vocal Rest Versus Vocal Exercise

Vocal Load and Phonotrauma

Management of Phonotrauma

Behavioral Intervention

Direct Voice Therapy

Medical and Surgical Management

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 8. Common Vocal Pathologies in Vocal Athletes: A Medical Perspective

Robbi Kupfer

Introduction

Muscle Tension Dysphonia

Other Laryngeal Disorders

Evaluation and Diagnosis of Vocal Pathology: What to Expect During a Visit?

Treatment

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 9. Multidisciplinary Care of the Vocal Athlete

Leda Scearce

Introduction

The Voice Care Team

The Voice Evaluation

Roles and Responsibilities of the Voice Care Team

Collaborative Interaction and Decision Making

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 10. Laryngeal Reflux: What the Singer Needs to Know

Adam D. Rubin and Cristina Jackson-Menaldi

Introduction

Symptoms

Complications of Reflux

How Do I Know if I Have Reflux?

Treatment

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 11. The Singer’s Guide to Anesthesiology and Voice

Samuel A. Schechtman and Andrew Rosenberg

Introduction

Basics of Anesthesia

Procedures that Require Airway Devices

Singer Concerns

Other Common Airway and Vocal Tract Complications and Preventive Considerations

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 12. Life Cycle of the Voice

Overview

The Pediatric Performer: Considerations for Vocal Performing in Children Through Adolescence

Aspects of the Aging Voice and the Nonclassical Singer

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 13. Medicine, Myths and Truths

Introduction

Medications and the Voice

Reflux Medications

Herbal Supplements and Vitamins

Chapter Summary

References

Section III. Vocal Pedagogy for the 21^st Century Vocal Athlete

Chapter 14. History of Classical Voice Pedagogy

Overview

Classical Vocal Pedagogy

Early Vocal Pedagogues

Chapter Summary

References

Appendix 14–A. Classical Vocal Pedagogy Resources

Chapter 15. Belting: Pedagogical Considerations

Introduction

Increasing Demand for Commercial Pedagogy and Belting

Overview of History and Pedagogical Approaches for Belting

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 16. Physiology of Belting: Research and Theory

Introduction

Belting—Perceptual Research

Laryngeal Muscle Activity and Action during CCM Singing

Voice Source Information on Belting

Formants and Harmonic Findings/Singers Formant/Formant Tuning

Intensity Findings

Vibrato Findings

Timbre/Spectral Slope Findings

Nasality Findings

Registration Findings

The Science Behind the Singing: Inertance and Compliance Theories

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 17. Exercise Physiology Principals for Training the Vocal Athlete

Introduction

Muscle Fibers and Laryngeal Function

Skeletal (Limb) Muscles

Muscle Fuel

Basic Training Principles for Exercise Science

Research on Exercise Science for Voice

Application of Exercise Physiology Principles for Training Vocal Athletes

Vocal Warm-Ups

Voice Fatigue

Monitoring Vocal Effort

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 18. Application of Motor Learning Principals to Voice Training

Introduction

Motor Performance Versus Motor Learning

Stages of Motor Learning

Establishing Training Goals

Structuring a Lesson

The Forgetting Hypothesis

Feedback and Cueing

Reducing Learner Dependency

Implicit versus Explicit Learning

Directing Learners’ Attention

Chapter Summary

References

Chapter 19. The Art of Perfection: What Every Singer Should Know About Audio Technology

Matthew Edwards

Introduction

The Roots: Wax Cylinder Recordings

Modern Recording Methods

Live Performance

Opera

Listening Levels

The Equipment Behind the Product

Signal Processing

Live Sound Systems

Teaching with Audio Equipment

Chapter Summary

References

Index

Authors

Wendy D. LeBorgne

Wendy LeBorgne, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a renowned voice pathologist, international speaker, bestselling author, and executive communication coach with over two decades of experience. She combines the artistic and scientific aspects of voice to profoundly impact communication and vocal performance. Dr. LeBorgne’s work on Voice Branding™ gained attention through her influential TED talk, emphasizing authentic communication. As CEO of Professional Voice Consultants, LLC, operating as Dr. Wendy Voice, she evaluates and treats vocal injuries and enhances communication skills. She is also an associate professor at Mount St. Joseph University and an adjunct at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Dr. LeBorgne has authored over 10 textbook chapters and 20 articles, and delivered over 200 lectures worldwide. Her private coaching studio caters to vocal athletes from various platforms, including radio, TV, film, Broadway, and opera globally. Her holistic approach to vocal and communication maximization has established her as a pivotal figure in helping performers excel and maintain vocal health and audience engagement across diverse settings.

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Marci Daniels Rosenberg

Marci Rosenberg, MS, CCC-SLP, is a singer, speech pathologist, and clinical singing voice specialist. She has worked clinically for over 20 years at The University of Michigan Vocal Health Center. Additionally, she serves as the on-site vocal health consultant to the Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. Ms. Rosenberg teaches workshops and lectures nationally and internationally on a wide array of topics. She is a featured author in several voice pedagogy books. Among the first cohort to receive the PAVA-RV distinction, Ms. Rosenberg is an active PAVA member serving as Chair of the PAVA Symposium Oversight Committee. She was recently a featured voice expert on the award-winning Canadian science documentary program The Nature of Things - A User’s Guide to the Voice. In addition to her clinical practice, Ms. Rosenberg maintains an active private voice studio and consulting practice. Her varied clients include performers, executives, and teachers spanning the boardroom, Broadway stage, Metropolitan Opera, and everything in between.

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Resources

Instructors of this book receive complimentary access to supplementary materials hosted on a PluralPlus companion website.

To access the materials, log in to the website using the URL located inside the front cover of your copy of The Vocal Athlete, Second Edition.

INSTRUCTORS:
To access the instructor materials, you must contact Plural Publishing, Inc. to be verified as an instructor and receive your access code.

Email: instructormaterials@pluralpublishing.com
Tel: 866-758-7251 (toll free) or 858-492-1555