The singing "teacher" say's - "Use your support".....

So what exactly is meant by "support" ? One imagines a "support" as being some kind of RSJ = rigid steel joist or a pillar.....hmmmmm.
Methinks that would be too much for the process of activating the tiny vocal folds !
Yet, that in essence, is exactly what many singing teachers advocate - too much air - fill both lungs "ad infinitum" to emit a few seconds sound.......baloney !
Does one fill the lungs with air to say "Have a nice day " ? NO, one say's "Have a nice day" without even thinking about "supporting" the phrase ....
At a very intense International conference of Ear, Nose and Throat specialists in London - the very persons who often undertake surgery, and therapy, for voice users who have developed nodules, polyps, etc., etc., and also attended by many singing teachers, one delegate asked the assembly "Can anyone explain the difference between speaking and singing" ?

I felt my right arm go up, and I expected to see a lot more raised by singing teachers....
Mine being the only one, I was obliged to answer the question, so I asked the assembly - "Can you all say 'Aaah' please?"
They dutifully obliged. "Now, say 'Ah' and hold it on for three seconds please " - and much to their surprise it worked,. - without them having filled their lungs as they might have done had I requested them to SING for three seconds. There was a stunned silence for a few seconds before the next item commenced.
I could sense some hostility from the singing teachers sitting near to me, and sure enough, during the luncheon break several bore down on me, one of them irrately exclaiming "How DARE you tell people that singing is so easy !!"
To which I replied "If you don't realise it IS "that easy" you shouldn't even be trying to teach use of the voice !" the which went down like a lead balloon ........
That's when I stopped attending such functions and concentrated my efforts into helping those who are interested in singing and just not making noises....
So, 'bye for now and as usual ...k..p b.......g .......