Heather Baker, Founding Director of the Institute for Vocal Advancement, explains how gestures enhance vocal training by providing an additional modality for the brain to learn new vocal skills. She explores the connection between gestures and the brain, sharing examples of personalised and meaningful gestures.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 1) Cognitive and Neuroscience Aspects: Heather has found that gesture can serve as an additional input for the brain, which helps in understanding and solidifying vocal training. This mixed modality input (combining visual, kinesthetic, and auditory cues) enhances learning and performance.
• 2) Impact on Vocal Folds and Articulation: Gesture can directly influence what happens at the larynx and vocal folds, as well as affect articulation. By using specific gestures, singers can be guided to achieve better vocal production and coordination. For example, certain gestures can help with airflow, pitch accuracy, and the overall sound quality.
• 3) Personalization and Metaphor: By creating their own gestures to mimic the sound or sensation they are aiming for, students can make a stronger connection between the gesture and the vocal task. 
• 4) External Focus of Attention: External focus of attention (such as focusing on a gesture) can enhance the internal mechanism of vocal production. By focusing on the gesture, singers can indirectly improve their vocal coordination and performance.
• 5) Observing and Performing Gestures: While observing a gesture can be minimally effective, actively performing the gesture is more impactful. For instance, observing a conductor's gesture can influence how singers breathe and perform.
• 6) Gesture Selection: Selecting the right gesture for a specific vocal task is crucial. Different gestures can help with different aspects of singing, such as airflow, pitch accuracy, or creating a certain sound quality. It's important to find the gesture that best mimics the desired vocal outcome.

BEST MOMENTS 

"Observing gesture can impact the way singers breathe and produce sound"

"Performing the gesture oneself is more effective than just observing"

"Gesture is something I have always used in my teaching"

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:

• www.thesingingteacher.biz
• www.vocaladvancement.com

Social Media:

• www.facebook.com/heatherbakersingingstudios
• www.instagram.com/heatherbakersingingstudios
• www.YouTube.com/the.singingteacher
• www.TikTok.com/the.singingteacher

Relevant Links & Mentions: 

• Kerrie Obert: www.ObertVoiceStudios.com
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.59 Top Tongue Tips for Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert
• Julia Nafisi: https://julianafisi.com/
• Jenna Brown: https://www.jennabrownmezzo.co.uk/
• Lisa Popeil: https://www.popeil.com/
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.155 & 156: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates
• The work of Konstantin Stanislavski 
• The work of Arthur Lessac
• Chris Johnson Vocal Coach: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/
• Chris Johnson Teach Voice: https://www.teachvoice.com/
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.109 Mastering ‘Acting Through Song’ Techniques to Elevate Musical Theatre Performance with Louisa Morgan 
• Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.40 Integrated Skills: Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Heather Baker, a Contemporary Voice Teacher in Northern England, is the Founding Director of the Institute for Vocal Advancement (IVA) and an IVA Ambassador. With an MA in Vocal Pedagogy, her research spans cognitive and neuroscience of singing, pitch problems, and vocal pedagogy. She presents globally, runs adult choirs, and co-hosts the Vocal Advancement Podcast, sharing her expertise and passion for voice teaching.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

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