Singing and Science

While singing is an art, science continues to inform and advance the profession. Yet while there is a growing body of scientific knowledge, spurred particularly by vocal function, vocal health, and brain function, much of it is physically, intellectually and psychologically inaccessible to singers and singing teachers, choral directors and other voice professionals. In this, a second, re-titled edition of Singing and Voice Science, Jean Callaghan presents the science of singing from the practitioner's perspective under familiar terms, such as breath management, phonation, resonance and articulation, and vocal health, using everyday language to explain principles, and show how new findings have advanced our knowledge of the mechanics of the vocal instrument. In the process, she addresses some age-old controversies of vocal pedagogy, such as the role of the diaphragm, 'covering', 'nasal resonance' and issues involved in registration and voice classification. The new edition reflects and posits practical application of these advances in the studio - particularly in neuroscience, where research has led to significant advances in our understanding of the role of brain and mind in music learning, in language, and in psychomotor learning and performance.