Singing naturally is too easy.......for some.....

Yes, it's true ! There is a common widespread concept that singing should be hard work judging from the problems many have to accept that it is not ! How's that for English logic..? Being a professional voice user, especially a singer, requires terrific discipline, especially in respect of keeping physically fit, but if the breathing is well controlled it is much less stressful. Speech problems are just as rife, and I've come across some very strange methods of "speaking" taught by speech therapists to victims with phonatory problems. (There is a technique developed for persons who have vocal fold damage , making gutteral grunts, not always helpful.....). Various ailments can precipitate such conditions, and it seems that breath control is not tried as a remedy to alleviate, and even restore comfortable phonation. Today I breathed with a tenor, who, when we managed to lower the air pressure under the vocal folds , and stopped his eyes and neck veins almost bursting (ouch) suddenly came out with the most glorious supported (but not pushed) tones without seeming to make any violent effort. This was great, as he is preparing "Morgenlich leuchtend in rosigem Schein" - Walther's Prize song from Wagner's "Die Meistersinger" for an audition - good luck. Once he'd found the gentle support physically, and imagined he was singing it to his little girl, the result was breathtaking - just like that ! He then sat down quietly, speechless, and gave me a very quizzical look ,eventually asking - "Is that really right - and that easy?" As he'd recorded it I asked him to listen to the voice in the machine - "I had no idea it was as good as that" he said, very relieved. It's not possible for me to describe the movements we used to connect the air and voice. Those who work regularly with me would probably agree with that it defies description, the lengths we go to to find out what each individual needs. As we ARE all different it is impossible to know, until we work out, what is neccessary to rediscover the simplicity of singing which most of us "lose" in the course of everyday life. We spend hours shedding preconceived ideas, and more frequently, bad habits picked up from my pet abhorrence - the so called "singing teacher" who has no clue about singing, but who keeps me very busy with their ex - victims, no names, no pack drill ....
k..p b.......g...and enjoy your singing....