Product Description

Teaches performers to use the Feldenkrais Method to ameliorate problems of tension, muscle strain, and illness in order to obtain optimal vocal performance. "Singing with your Whole Self" contains an important and unique feature: modularized Feldenkrais "Awareness through Movement" lessons. These are specifically designed for liberation 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 behind 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. These chapters include lessons that revolve around improving performance. Includes an index both by lesson and by problem, referring performers to the lessons most effective for a specific problem.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #396055 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

About the Author
Samuel H. Nelson (Ph.D. Environmental Studies, M.A. Economics, University of Wisconsin) is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner in private practice in Rochester NY. Elizabeth Blades-Zeller (Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education/Voice Performance, Eastman School of Music, NY) 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.

Customer Reviews

One of my top 5 favorite books of all time

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.

Possibly the Best Feldenkrais Book I have read
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.

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.