Post on reading assignment for chapter 4 in Singing to Children and Young Adults Jenevora Williams and chapter 13 in Vocal Technique by Julia Davids.

Comments/ A-ha moments

1) I learned a lot about puberty from the chapter in Williams's book. I knew that there were physical changes that happened during this period but did not fully understand why guys voices went so low. I know understand that it is because that vocal folds are growing and becoming longer and thicker by 65% for males and 34% for females.

2) I really liked in the Williams book when it said " Play with noises and have fun: the laughing pupil will learn more easily than the fearful one". I have had a lot of students who are shy and intimidated to work with teachers. It is always more productive when you make the lesson fun and informal. The students are most likely to open up and ask questions and get involved.

Questions:
1)  I was shocked to read their reasons for onset of puberty. Their reasons are things that I would have never thought about before. They say that puberty is happening earlier in age. Their reasons include improved diet, warmer climate, hormones in water supplies or beauty products, increased psychosexual stimulation, and increased overall exposure to light. Would these really cause changes for when puberty starts?

2) In the book by Davids it talks a lot about tension especially with the tongue. I have had this problem with clarinet playing where I would use too much tension with my tongue and it would influence my playing and my sound. Would the size of your tongue influence singing and having tension?