1. PAS
2. CVC VOCAL FOUNDATIONS
3. CONNECTION TO REPERTOIRE

 
PAS

The Presence method introduces students to exercises that help to identify  current mind and body habits. This is done through ‘PAS’, (passive, active, static energy) an exploration into individual energy spectrums and refers to the ‘general energy’ in the body at any given time. This general energy sense is derived from a combination of our mental, physical and emotional states.

The ‘active’ spectrum of PAS is the ideal area in which a singer works. To work within passive or static energy creates varying levels of vocal constriction. PAS levels can be stimulated in different directions by external stimulus such as body movement and the frequency of sound.

CVC VOCAL FOUNDATIONS

We believe these foundations are a vocalist’ basic survival kit, and when they are correctly applied, allow for free, powerful singing.
These foundations consist of;

1. BELLY RELEASE - letting go of tension in the belly which causes vocal constriction.
2. OPEN THROAT - gives the sensation of the throat being open, enabling free strong voicing.
3. HIGH/FORWARD TONGUE - this tongue position prevents the tongue from pushing down on the larynx, enabling free high notes.
4. SIREN - enables the vocal folds to lengthen and thin making it easier to negotiate the difficult breaks in the range.
5. BRIGHTNESS - increases the upper harmonics in a tone, creating a loud, vibrant sound. Great for live dynamic singing.

*Students are welcome to learn more complex techniques and vocal qualities once these foundations are established.

CONNECTION TO REPERTOIRE

We begin by identifying how we make our initial connection to a piece of music, through instrumentation, voice, lyrics, groove etc.  From our PAS work, students have become familiar with how emotions feel in their physical body.  We take this a step further through an exercise called ‘Physicalising’ which not only brings awareness to emotions and their corresponding physical sensations but how we express them through physical movement  and then sound. Students are encouraged to explore this technique in repertoire.