Authentic Voices, Authentic Singing: A Multicultural Approach to Vocal Music

Sylka Uhlig

Print ISBN: 1-891278-44-4 or 978-1-891278-44-0

E-ISBN: 978-1-891278-88-4



$32 $32 $32


This book examines in detail the use of the authentic voice, highlighting its virtuosity, healing potency, and importance to well-being. It demonstrates the powerful impact of the voice, using clinical examples from mental health, medical, and special education settings. In the book, the undiscovered potential of the voice in the music therapy field is emphasized. This potential is not limited to singing songs but also includes sighing, crying, screaming, groaning, humming, laughing, and lamenting as effective forms of vocalizations. The book also focuses on natural forms of singing as human expressions in different cultural traditions. The vocal examples given are used to portray how human beings around the world help and heal each other through authentic singing. The commonalities of contemporary and traditional uses of the voice reinforce its power and effectiveness as a therapeutic tool. The book integrates emotional, relational, cognitive, physical, aesthetic, spiritual and technical aspects of voice and singing into a multicultural clinical method. This is a how to book for the music therapist, creative art therapist, psychotherapist, teacher, singer or actor who is using his/her voice in therapy, education, or performance. (2006, 200 pages)




Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
IntroductionPart A: Authentic Voices Chapter I
Professional
Voices
Effective Voices
Responsible Voices
The Symbolic Voice — A Case ExampleChapter II Primal
Voices
Natural Voices
Shadowed Voices
The Isolated Voice — A Case ExampleChapter III Acoustic
Symbols
Maternal Voices
Primitive Voices
The Excited Voice — A Case ExampleChapter IV Cultural
Voices
Linguistic Voices
My Multicultural Voice
The Foreign Voice — A Case ExampleChapter V Spiritual
Voices
Trance Voices
My Transcending Voice
The Grieving Voice — A Case ExampleChapter VI Neurological
Voices
Vibrating Voices
Soothing Voices
The Silent Voice — A Case ExampleChapter VII Methodical
Voices
Personal Voices
Vocal Interventions
The Painful Voice — A Case Example
IntermezzoPart B: Authentic Singing Chapter VIII Primitive
Singing
Productive Singing
Ritualistic Singing
Female SingingChapter IX Middle
Eastern— Kurdish Singing
Improvisational Singing
Spiritual Singing
Islamic “Singing”Chapter X

Native
American Navajo Singing
Survival Singing
Healing Songs
Harmonious Singing

Chapter XI

Cultivated
Singing
European Singing
Perfectionist Singing
Western Singing

Part C: Singing Practice

Chapter XII

Singing: A Personal and Professional Need
A Time to Sing
Partner Work
Multicultural Approach

Conclusion
Bibliography and Discography of Music of Native
Cultures
Reprise
Information about Voice Workshops
and Music Therapy
References
Appendix A: Kurdish Scales
Appendix B: Indigenous Songs
Appendix C: Vibration of
Human Vowel