“If I Were A Bell”

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In my teaching I tend to avoid the over-use of imagery.  Some teachers rely almost entirely on imagery which can be a bit wafty for my liking.  I personally want to try and understand the nitty-gritty mechanical aspects of my voice and to build up an awareness of what my muscles are actually doing.  However, sometimes imagery can  perk up the usual instructions.   I have used the image of a bell this week on a few occasions to get my students to feel the expansion at the bottom of the ribcage in breathing.  This image was used by Jean de Reszke (“The Teaching of Jean de Reszke” by Dale V Gilliland published by Pro musica press). For those who are unfamiliar with his name he was a famous tenor and became a celebrated teacher and for me the interesting bit was that he taught Maggie Teyte a singer for whom I have a great admiration.I have always had slight suspicions about de Reszke’s teachings as he was quoted as saying that singing was all a question of “the nose” which of course it isn’t! However, I swallowed my prejudices and read the above book and found that there is much to be learnt from him.  The following passage is lifted from the book:

…….in inhaling, the lower ribs are to be expanded without raising the chest:- “Imagine yourself to be a great church bell, where all the sonority is round the rim.” But, this was not to be confused with sticking the stomach out – abdominal breathing – the abdomen was to be kept up and in, to give greater support to the diaphragm.  In singing this expansion was to be kept as long as possible, and the lower ribs not allowed to collapse in order that the breath might be kept under compression to the very last. This was, in fact, the first step towards the legato style of the true Bel canto.

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