Can we know two realities at once? Does this help or distract from our singing? The more we learn about the workings of how our bodies produce sound, the more our perceptions seem false and in need of a updates. Is it OK to let old perceptions stay where they are and allow the new facts to occupy some space next to them? Or is it dangerous to let the senses draw a false map of our reality?
Ever since the discovery that the earth is a rotating object and the sun is a stationary object, has any effort by the scientific community been made to change the language "the sun rises" and "the sun sets"? The world of science seems to have accepted that the generic perception of these elements goes against modern knowledge and what elementary education tells us. Is this false perception accepted because our brains are able to know the two facts simultaneously - I see the sun rising but I also know that the earth is the object rotating?
In singing, does the conscious brain have room to know two facts simultaneously? When is this helpful and when is this dangerous?
Some examples to consider-
1. I perceive that I have "put" my sound up in my cheekbones when I create a strong tone.
I know that sound radiates everywhere and I cannot control where it is put. The sensation is most likely coming from the bones in my upper face vibrating sympathetically.
2. I perceive that I am "making" the sound out in front of my face.
I know that the source of the sound happens in the larynx and is filtered throughout the vocal tract. The sensation of where I hear and feel the sound is an aftermath of where the sound wave is actually created.
3. I perceive that I am singing from my diaphragm.
I know that the diaphragm is an involuntary muscle that I cannot directly feel. The muscle engagement I feel is most likely in the abdomen.
Continuing the Discussion
In which of these examples do you think it's possible to feel the perception and know the facts simultaneously?
In which of these examples is the perception more helpful than the facts?
In which of these examples is the perception destructive to how the singer maps their body and produces their sound?
When do we owe it to people to correct their perceptions and when is it helpful to let perceptions be the guiding force?
In singing, does the conscious brain have room to know two facts simultaneously? When is this helpful and when is this dangerous?
Some examples to consider-
1. I perceive that I have "put" my sound up in my cheekbones when I create a strong tone.
I know that sound radiates everywhere and I cannot control where it is put. The sensation is most likely coming from the bones in my upper face vibrating sympathetically.
2. I perceive that I am "making" the sound out in front of my face.
I know that the source of the sound happens in the larynx and is filtered throughout the vocal tract. The sensation of where I hear and feel the sound is an aftermath of where the sound wave is actually created.
3. I perceive that I am singing from my diaphragm.
I know that the diaphragm is an involuntary muscle that I cannot directly feel. The muscle engagement I feel is most likely in the abdomen.
Continuing the Discussion
In which of these examples do you think it's possible to feel the perception and know the facts simultaneously?
In which of these examples is the perception more helpful than the facts?
In which of these examples is the perception destructive to how the singer maps their body and produces their sound?
When do we owe it to people to correct their perceptions and when is it helpful to let perceptions be the guiding force?
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