What is this "ping" I can't find ? It's the tiny sensation in the mask of the face, mainly in the nose and sinuses, " na, na, nana, na " the sound children make when they are taunting. The problem has arisen since my recent dental operation; having made sure the surgeon was aware of the importance of facial resonances, it was, unfortunately, necessary to remove some of the jaw bone to "excavate" the offending buried wisdom tooth - sounded from inside as if he was digging for gold - no such luck ! The outcome is that I have now joined the ranks of singers trying to find their "ping", or focus. For the first time in my life it is not there automatically - oooouuch....heeelp !! Vocal Focus is a vital part of the connection between air and phonation; unless it it accurate, all the air control you can muster will not produce a perfect tone - is it time to retire graciously if I don't find it again to impart the secrets to my lovely breathers....? Now I can appreciate the frustration of being so near and yet so far from perfection.....On a daily basis it improves slightly, so I have to progress gently and try to be patient with myself - (not very good at that), and just keep praying for yet ANOTHER miracle - keep your fingers crossed for me.... The odd thing is that in some frequencies, the voice is achieving better sounds more easily than before - 'tis a puzzlement......Anna Larsson, the "Megabreather", is currently treating New York audiences,(U.S.of A.), to four performances of Bach's St. Mattius Passion, on four consecutive days, then back to Stockholm Royal Opera for the final performance of Orphee, 26th. March 2008; Gluck/Berlioz edition, in Mats Eks' amazing production - let's hope it will come out in d.v.d form so that a wider public can marvel at it....Now you know how Anna earned that title.....her ability to change the style of singing, as opposed to the voice, is remarkable, and to be able to sing in any part of the world outside ones' natural time zone is an added bonus. This is facilitated by having perfectly controlled breathing, which she meticullously keeps in order, but never over practises .. if it's working, just check it, then leave it alone - save it for performances....I once heard a young and promising soprano proudly pronounce, at 10.30 one morning, to the legendary English soprano Joan Cross - "Oh Miss Cross - I've just sung twenty top C's "! After a pregnant pause, Miss Cross who was known to be quite curt and to the point, answered "Well, I'm sure that's highly commendable Dear, but it's twenty less in your careeeeer - Deeeaaar !!"
Be warned..... and you know what - K...B.......g!
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