ABSTRACT
The following exercise is for students to experience the production of voice sound. The preparation is as before, and the “purring” begins. About half way through the breath, the throat and the management of the column of air shifts, and from vibration, the vocal chords are asked to create a sound, a good, strong, long note (only one!). The “purr” is lost. Eventually the note will be pulled back and replaced by the purring vibration before fading away. I always tell my students to feel what is happening to voice production in this exercise, because I don’t know how to describe and explain it in words. I demonstrate, and it has to be felt. It is not difficult to do, but from this simple exercise stem the many voice extensions, placement, and diction that are part of our sound vocabulary.
