Singing with Your Whole Self teaches performers to use the Feldenkrais Method to ameliorate problems of tension, muscle strain, and illness in order to obtain optimal vocal performance. It contains an important and unique feature: modularized Feldenkrais "Awareness through Movement" lessons. These are specifically designed for liberating function in all musicians and in singers in particular. Modularized lessons allow the user to choose between functionally useful short segments or entire lessons. The first part of the book presents the theory explaining why this approach works in an easily understood and concrete fashion. The remaining chapters explore our anatomy by area and explain usage, problems and how these relate to singing; lessons throughout revolve around improving performance. Includes an index both by lesson and by problem, referring performers to the lessons most effective for a specific problem.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The book is exceptionally clear and eminently practical. The authors' explanation of the Feldenkrais Method is lucid and succinct, the lessons are laid out in a format that is easy to follow, and the diagrams aid in understanding the movements...Singing with Your Whole Self is a valuable volume, both for those who have been previously introduced to the Feldenkrais Method, and for those unfamiliar with this type of body work. (Nats Journal Of Singing )
While stating that the book is intended as a handbook, there is much to stimulate the intellect within its pages...Nelson and Blades-Zeller are highly qualified and experienced in pedagogy...As the saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". This writer attempted the exercises that were appropriate to his technique finding a high success rate. (Australian Voice )
Divided into small units that can be undertaken by people who do not have large amounts of time at their disposal, the exercises are described simply and clearly and are accompanied by helpful drawings. (Choice )
While stating that the book is intended as a handbook, there is much to stimulate the intellect within its pages...Nelson and Blades-Zeller are highly qualified and experienced in pedagogy...As the saying goes, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". This writer attempted the exercises that were appropriate to his technique finding a high success rate. (Australian Voice )
Divided into small units that can be undertaken by people who do not have large amounts of time at their disposal, the exercises are described simply and clearly and are accompanied by helpful drawings. (Choice )
About the Author
Samuel H. Nelson is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner in private practice in Rochester, NY.
Elizabeth Blades-Zeller is Associate Professor of Voice, Opera and Music Education, Coordinator of Voice Area, and Director of Opera at Heidelberg College. She is also a Music Editor for Mountain View Video Production, Roanoke, VA.
Elizabeth Blades-Zeller is Associate Professor of Voice, Opera and Music Education, Coordinator of Voice Area, and Director of Opera at Heidelberg College. She is also a Music Editor for Mountain View Video Production, Roanoke, VA.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is already one of my top five favorite books of all time, quite remarkable given I've only had it a few weeks. This book is a book about how to relax and sing with less tension in the voice. There are no "singing lessons" in the book and it won't teach you how to sing. Instead there are lessons based on the "Feldenkrais Method" of physical therapy, which is technique of gaining more awareness of your body through slow, stress-free movements. The Feldenkrais Method is most often used by people who have physical problems or people, like musicians, who want to gain a deeper connection to their body. As someone who falls into both of these categories this book has had a profound impact on me.
As an example of the insights in this book, it asks the age old question "from where does the singer sing," the typical answer being "the throat", or the "breath", or "the diaphragm." This book suggests that we sing from the "pelvic girdle" or by extension our legs and our feet. The idea being that our basic sense of physical support comes from there and if it is out of alignment (as it would be with someone like me with hip problems) then vocal strain and fatigue will result.
This book will be most useful for people who want to take a good honest look at their voice and how to change the way they use their body to help improve it.
As an example of the insights in this book, it asks the age old question "from where does the singer sing," the typical answer being "the throat", or the "breath", or "the diaphragm." This book suggests that we sing from the "pelvic girdle" or by extension our legs and our feet. The idea being that our basic sense of physical support comes from there and if it is out of alignment (as it would be with someone like me with hip problems) then vocal strain and fatigue will result.
This book will be most useful for people who want to take a good honest look at their voice and how to change the way they use their body to help improve it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is quite possibly the best Feldenkrais book that I have ever read.
The mini ATMs are comprehensive and very fun to do. Very user friendly.
Has improved many additional areas in my life as wel as improving my singing
I hope that this is going greatly increase my chances on "Idol" this year.
The mini ATMs are comprehensive and very fun to do. Very user friendly.
Has improved many additional areas in my life as wel as improving my singing
I hope that this is going greatly increase my chances on "Idol" this year.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a singer, voice teacher and Feldenkrais Teacher, myself, this book has been indispensable. The beauty of the book is that the lessons are short, clear, accessible and touch on all of the movement basics that support free, easy and powerful singing without trying to "teach singing." These lessons will enhance ANY singing practice, technique or approach!
Enjoy!
Robert Sussuma
Enjoy!
Robert Sussuma
Most Recent Customer Reviews
a useful addition to the voice studio
After participating in a workshop with the author at Indiana University this summer, I decided that this book and method was an interesting expansion of body alignment exercises... Read more
Published 19 months ago by S. Oosting
Fantastic book for learning Feldenkrais
and I'm not even a singer! The theory of Moshe Feldenkrais' system is clearly and helpfully explained, and the exercises are clear and easy to follow. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Scherzbit
Good Book for Singers
Tension can creep into every part of the body, whether we recognize it or not. This book has some excellent exercises for dealing with the tension that is so counter-productive to... Read more
Published on January 30, 2010 by lacey010684@yahoo.com
Great!
This book is really great for learning how to use every part of your body to sing. The book has multiple exercises for different issues as they relate to the voice. Read more
Published on June 29, 2009 by Jan Head
Artistic kinesiology
I found this very helpful in learning relaxation techniques and various exercises that will allow you to stand and sing freely and with greater effect. 5stars.
Published on February 8, 2009 by Clark A. Steelman
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