Product Description

This book reveals the benefits of Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis's revolutionary listening training techniques. Tomatis's training is directed primarily at singers and artists, though it has been seen to have profoundly theraputic effects on those who suffer from hearing loss and psychological problems. The translation and adaptations provided by the editors of this first English version of Tomatis's work make the content easily accessible to a broad audience, and each of the book's three Parts can be read fruitfully seperately, or together, and in any order. The book will appeal to everyone who wants to understand and experience the benefits of conscious listening.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #418154 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Listening & Singing
"There is simply nothing as good as the sound of your own voice when it is well used for charging the brain." Tomatis, p. 133.

I found this book useful in that it brought my attention to how I listen. It is a good overview of how we hear and how the ear works. As others have pointed out, it would be beneficial to singers, musicians or anyone with a listening interest. Specifically useful to me was the discussion of the use of the right vs. left ear in musicality; the importance of "singing" to the nervous system and the role the ears plays in controlling the nervous system. Tomatis points out the importance of listening to ourselves sing/speak with equal importance to listening to our silent inner voice. Another interesting facet of this book is the distinction he makes in the manifestation of energy involved in chanting versus other types of singing, such as opera. There is also a good development of information on sound breathing techniques and a discussion of the "listening posture" between the ear and the body.

Although this book discusses the "voice" and "singing", the information presented is universal, it being equally applicable to musicians (their "voice" being their instrument) nonmusicians (in the conveyance of their voice in speech or in silence) and singers. As Tomatis points out, listening involves attention and respect, an attitude of reverence toward what is being encountered in a listening experience.

This is a short book (135 pages) which provides a nice introduction to Tomatis' thought. For an elaboration on this subject with a greater emphasis on listening, see: Listening for Wellness: An Introduction to the Tomatis Method or The Conscious Ear: My Life of Transformation Through Listening. If you continue on to "Listening for Wellness", you will find that Tomatis has a tendency to deify Mozart. I construe his theories liberally, meaning, that I feel these same ideas can be applied to a great deal of music which "leads us to a place where we start to BE - a place where we can find our essence instead of feeling fragmented by the vagaries of the ego" (p. 366 "Listening"). Early music and baroque music serve that purpose for me, but not necessarily Mozart (I realize others feel differently. I am using myself and my opinion as an example as a way to illustrate a point and in an attempt to show that this information can be interpreted broadly). In the end, it is a question of what music influences the listener most profoundly.

Tomatis ends with the following encouraging remarks: "Allow me to conclude by extending my warmest invitation to each of you, to "sing" (i.e., to make, to listen to, to expose yourself to, music). If you seek every opportunity to revel in the joy of making music . . . you will reach a higher level of consciousness and you will notice that you are more alert and engaged. The most essential benefit for you is indisputably its potential to energize the brain." Tomatis, p. 133 (interpretation added).

A travesty of Tomatis's book
Most of the reviewers here have a vested interest in the Tomatis method. Having the original version, I can affirm that this book is a sketchy and often off-target summing-up of Tomatis's book.He deserved better.

As a close collaborator of Dr. Alfred Tomatis...
As a close collaborator of Dr. Alfred Tomatis for more than 30 years, I am in a good position to know how difficult it is to present his work in English in a way which is both easy to read and truthful to his thinking.

The writing of Tomatis needs more than a translator; it needs a total rewriting by people who are familiar with his work. This is what Roberta Prada and her collaborators have been able to accomplish and they have done it with great talent. Bravo!

The Ear and The Voice offers precious insights and practical tips to singers, teachers in singing and other voice professionals. But it is not just another book on vocal technique. It sheds an entirely new light on many important subjects such as listening, language, learning and communication. If you've never heard of or read Tomatis' work, be ready for a drastically new experience!

Paul Madaule, Director of The Listening Centre, Toronto, Canada and author of When Listening Comes Alive.