Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Experiential pronunciation learning: sing first, think later


Clip art: Clker
Clip art: Clker
Here is a 30-minute video by Per Bristow which is worth watching. (You might have to sign up for his free newsletter to view it, unfortunately . . . ) It takes him about 25 minutes to get to unpacking his method but when he does, as you will see, it is worth the wait, very consonant with HICP thinking. His basic approach is to set up what he calls a mind set of the "rapid or creative learner," beginning with kinaesthetic awareness, which leads to self awareness and beyond--from an almost entirely experiential learning perspective. Nothing he advocates is inconsistent with that of Lessac, for example, although it would be almost worth buying his DVD and signing up for his program for one of my students, just to see if and how it works. Being a singer, myself, what he says makes real sense and is probably not all that difficult, in principle, to manage--with a little self discipline and desire. But his basic pitch, that of developing a good, healthy voice, is dead on and well presented. (Even his accent is interesting!) If you don't have one yet, you should get one. 

2 comments:

  1. Ah Yes, the singing zone. To prove some of the points made, here is a BC artist, vocally untrained singing "Nessun Dorma" at the Italian Cultural Centre

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Gui3TYBkQ&context=C356d985ADOEgsToPDskKLPbvDkhKmX1cW0eYMq1zj

    fantastico!

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  2. Wow. I take back what I said about needing training!!!

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