This is little post I read in singing forum. It's writen by one singer who I respect too... So I'm wondering Jaime what do you think is there at least minimal quality, long livity, health loses when we're using your methode I mean I know that I feel good and many of you're students are the same but if they work hard will they be able to match opera singers in all singing qualities?

Here is his post:

Generally speaking, classical singers tend to be the most conscientious (read: obsessive and neurotic) about their vocal health.

''This is no surprise, considering what classical singers are expected to do. Basically, if you want to be an opera singer, you are expected to have a voice that projects over a 40+ member orchestra into the furthest recesses of an opera house, interpret music sensitively with all manner of ornaments or dynamic effects, sound glorious in the process, and have a voice that lasts you for a good twenty to thirty years at the least. In order to be able to do all that, you really need to coddle the voice, and the heart of classical methods are to keep the voice as healthy as humanly possible, for as long as possible. The technique evolved over hundreds of years of crafting, and seems to be pretty effective: it's not rare for an opera singer to remain in their prime into their 50s and beyond.

Popular singers, however, are not asked to perform in that way, and for this reason generally aren't as preoccupied with their voices. Modern popular singing technique evolved around the microphone: no longer did you have to worry about projecting over a humongous orchestra into the vast recesses of an equally humongous opera house.

I haven't come across any technique in any genre that is as healthy as classical technique, but that doesn't mean you can't sing popular styles in a way that is relatively healthy. If its jazz you want to sing, why worry about keeping your voice in the same level of health as an opera singer? An opera singer at 50 needs to sing opera... which requires the utmost level of vocal health. A jazz singer at 50 needs to sing jazz, and so long as you keep your voice relatively healthy, you should be fine. You aren't pursuing the same purity and power as an opera singer needs up until he can retire from the stage. You want to keep you voice healthy, yes. But healthy for a jazz singer, which is different than healthy for a classical singer''

Healthy voice is healthy voice is healthy voice. I once read an article where Pavoratti said one of his favorite sngers was Rob Halford. He knows he cannot sing like Rob and visa versa. From my understanding, as told to me by opera singers from the states, the style of teaching that is taught classically nowadays, is not the pure form of classical training from hundreds of years ago. During that time, it was nothing for men to sing high F's and I am not talkinbg castratos. Opera is more of a rounded technique, but with a lot of forward resonance and power nonetheless. So, if an opera singer is singing all the way to the back of a theater, do you honestly think they are being more cautious than a pop singer who sings in a mic? Any great singer, regardless of style, will apply the techniques of that particular atyle to the best of their ability with their vocal health in mind. My approach to support was originated by an opera singer; a guy named Robert Mozarella, who taught it to Elizabeth Sabine. The voice isnb;t as delicate as everyone acts-we are strong regenerative creatures, and whether you are singing arias or ACDC, if you abuse it, you're gonna lose it ;)

JV

I bet Cobby can sing a high F

Everybodys high is relative to their voice, the Cobsters High F is the one below middle C, Cobby you stink like Rosie ODonnell's underwear, I own you bitch

I think this article is B.S. It doesn't matter what you sing, you should take good care of your voice unless you are purposely trying to develop a raspy voice for style. But keep in mind, how much damage is manageable? I personally would stay away. Most if not all techniques aim at freeing the voice to maximize its power and range. I have a B.A. in classical singing and I found Jaime's techniques very coherent with what I studied. You might also want to look up Ron Anderson who was a very successful opera singer now dedicating his teaching to pop and rock singers. A good technique can be transferable to any style. The instrument is the same for everyone, it's the way to play it that changes.

Just for the record cobby stinks...I can sing an f and a u...nobodys owns cobb..not even barefooted oiselle.....

Cobby I like you - you are funny

Whatever Cobb; You're probably singing F and U to yourself cause there's no audience listening.

Jaime, have you contacted Roberto Mazzarella before? He has some really interesting and unusual ideas about how the voice is produced. I don't have the money yet to buy his book, and much less his $400 cd voice course. You might be interested in hearing his theories first hand. I would certainly be interested if you did an interview and maybe review of his products.

He teaches yoga with his wife, and they have a website at http://www.mtrobertoyogatherapy.com/ that includes his email address.

Thanks nate, I will check into it and see what I can do:)

JV

My vote is to learn BOTH .. then form your own style from the best of both technique's ...