The Use and Training of the Human Voice: A Bio-Dynamic Approach to Vocal Life [Paperback]

Arthur Lessac (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996 | ISBN-10: 1559346965 | ISBN-13: 978-1559346962 | Edition: Third

This introductory text details Arthur Lessac’s proven procedures for understanding, training, and improving the voice and speech of the performer by exploring the varied qualities of the physical energies associated with producing sounds.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Mayfield; Third edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559346965
• ISBN-13: 978-1559346962
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The alpha and omega in voice, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Use and Training of the Human Voice: A Bio-Dynamic Approach to Vocal Life (Paperback)

This is everything anybody (actors, speakers and liars) will ever need to know about discovering, developing and using with confidence the voice as a tool to communicate. Westerners especially, I believe, have trained and maimed their voices to suit ideals (The average woman speaks about 6 tones higher than her natural voice prescribes). This book, a trusted training manual in many theatre and opera schools, teaches practically and without pretence, the real abilities of the voice. This is all one needs to acquire/rediscover, with practise, how the voice can be an (extemely flexible) extension of oneself in a physical world. A wholistic adventure which necessarilly encompasses correct breathing and posture, which will eventually be effortless, simply because it is natural. From an acting perspective the Arthur Lessac voice system becomes a perfect partner to the Stanislavskyan system of acting (associated with 'The Method' in USA). The practice of the Lessac system can easily be taught to a child and has proven successful in overcoming a stutter. This probably because the learner is made aware of the manoeuvre-ability of sound and how it is created, and not only on voice as a carrier of language. The book contains many excercises, each making one discover and realise the immense power of (self-generated) sound. Living in Africa one often wonders at the vocal powers of its people. Westerners can also feel at one with their true voices. The Lessac system would be the first (and last) step on the route to rediscovery. This is a popular book (I had two copies stolen from me when it was out of print) amongst performers and all those who believe their bodies are instruments.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singers, pay attention to this one -, August 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Use and Training of the Human Voice: A Bio-Dynamic Approach to Vocal Life (Paperback)

As a voice teacher for many years, I am always being complimented on my speaking voice. Arthur Lessac's book was not my speaking coach, my operatic training was - but the technique is the same. Lessac has done a masterful job explaining the "old" Italian, bel canto/good singing technique that's been around since the 1600's - but he's done it for the speaking voice. Singers need to use the same technique for both speaking and singing, and this is the best book I've found on speaking technique.

Now everyone can understand logically how to improve their speaking and singing voice, and perhaps operatic voices will be better understood as not being something elitist or unnatural. Using the power of your instrument to produce quality sound is amazingly natural - it ain't magic. The "magic" is being given the vocal chords of an angel, inspiration from God, the constitution of a horse, the luck of (all) the Irish, and the intelligence of an Einstein to develop that voice into a Pavarotti, a Sutherland, etc.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Good Voice, Good Man" can be you!, September 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Use and Training of the Human Voice: A Bio-Dynamic Approach to Vocal Life (Paperback)

The design is here for a lifetime's care and growth of the human voice. Lessac presents an integrated system of correlating vocal life with all the facets of the actor's instrument (physical, vocal and sensory-imaginative). The techniques teach the concurrent development of the whole through relaxation, breath control and correct posturization, with vocal life itself divided into structural action, tonal action and consonant action. Fun, tongue-twisting exercise poems by Arthur's son Michael. A must for public speakers, politicians, and professional actors alike. --Jack Marston, Anaheim, Californi