This weekend at our area all-state conference, one of the directors used a tennis ball with a slit cut in it, and decorated like a face to demonstrate keeping an open mouth while singing. I thought this was a great idea and was wondering if anyone else out there used props like this, or other kinds in their rehearsals? I thought it might be a great addition to my middle and high school choirs.
I frequently use a Hoberman sphere with my high school group to assist with visualizing inhalation. Sometimes I will use a very larger rubberband to demonstrate a variety of concepts. I have used round lollipops. See Hoberman.com for the sphere. The interest level is always higher when the kids have a concrete object to visualize.
Hi -- I find that the Hoberman sphere is not a good image for inhalation. Since it is a sphere, it expands on all sides, including at the top. I have found that students raise their shoulders when inhaling, in imitation of the sphere's shape. I do, however, use the Hoberman sphere to indicate phrasing -- I very gradually increase the size of the sphere as the phrase progresses.
I use many props during choral rehearsals, including all types of balls and other toys. I discuss these in my video, "Success for Adolescent Singers: Unlocking the Potential in Middle School Choirs" (www.choralexcellence.com). I also suggest exploring the books and videos of Helen Kemp, mostly through Choristers Guild. Helen is the "queen" of using props to assist in the teaching of singing concepts to young children.
balloons for showing breath support (the kids get the balloons)
(from Burch and Vaughn The Singing Book, p. 257)
"Imagine that a blown-up balloon represents your whole abdominal area. . . .The top of the balloon represents the diaphragm and the lowest part for the pelvic floor muscles (sometimes called the pelvic diaphragm). Note what happens when you push on the top of the balloon- remembering that in reality, the bony parts will not move. What happens when you hold the front tightly and try to push the top down. This is the equivalent of holding in the abdomen and trying to take a good breath. In this situation, the diaphragm cannot really descend and the chest is forced upward. What happens when you squeeze the top of the balloon? What happens when you squeeze the lower part of the front of the balloon? NOtice particularly what happens to the top. It tends to enlarge and spread. This is similar to what happens to the diaphragm and lower ribs when you use the lower part of the abdomen to help sent then air back out."
Also use balloons (blowing them up) so kids can feel abdominal support
straws for sipping in air
(from Phillips, Teaching Kids to Sing)
to help raise the soft palate
slinky
for elongating the spine for singing posture
3 lb weights
to do a simple curl so the kids can feel their abdominal muscles working
also used for kids to hold at their sides if they tend to raise their shoulders when breathing
rubber bands
placed between thumb and index finger of each hand, when talking about how the vocal bands stretch to change pitch
I have been using the tennis ball for several years now. I especially like it for demonstrating the shape for tall "ee" and "ay" vowels. I first saw this prop used on a video called "Singing FUNdamentals" presented by Lee Gwozdz, Director of Music for Corpus Christi Cathedral. In addition to the "Singing FUNdamentals video, Lee has available a "Toy Box" which includes a Chinese yo-yo, magic spring,. stuffed animal, tennis ball, Hoberman Mini-Sphere (great for teaching proper breathing and breath management), foam rocket, stuffed toy, paddle and grip ball set, movie slate, punching dinosaur puppet, and collapsible finger toy. I have not purchased this set, but I did buy my mini-sphere at a store that sells educational toys (can't remember the name of the store at this moment). Lee also has another video to accompany the Toy Box. The video is called "Toys That Teach" and in it Lee demonstrates how to use the 12 toys in the Toy Box using exercises with four different choirs, from young singers through adult. These materials are available through West Music Company, and probably several other vendors.
I frequently use a Hoberman sphere with my high school group to assist with visualizing inhalation. Sometimes I will use a very larger rubberband to demonstrate a variety of concepts. I have used round lollipops. See Hoberman.com for the sphere. The interest level is always higher when the kids have a concrete object to visualize.
