The Art Of Music Ministry II- TAMM 307-L Discussion Board 1

[pastorderrick]

Discuss how Appoggio is valuable to your singing, and how can you apply it. Provide practical examples and name two songs – slow and fast- where you can effectively use this technique.

Your post should be a minimum 400 words while your reply should be at least 200 words.

Paste the same submission from the previous step here by clicking on the REPLY link just above. Your submission should be made by Wednesday the 4th of September 2024.

Then scroll down to see your peer submission and click reply to comment on their submissions. You MUST comment on at least one post with a minimum of 200 words by 11:59 p.m. (WAT) on Friday the 6th of September 2024. Your comments will also be graded.

[Benny4real]

Name: Owhondah Ugochi Benedicta
Course: The Art of Music Ministry

Discuss how appoggio is valuable to your singing, and how you can apply it. Provide practical examples and name two songs -slow and fast- where you can effectively use this technique.

Definition:
Appoggio is a term originating from the Italian school of bel canto, meaning “beautiful singing”. It refers to the coordination of the respiratory muscles and vocal folds to produce a balanced and efficient vocal sound. Appoggio is not a specific posture or shape, but rather a dynamic process that involves low and relaxed inhalation, gradual and steady exhalation, constant and gentle abdominal pressure against the diaphragm, a flexible and relaxed throat for free vibration of the vocal folds, and proper alignment of the head, neck, and spine to support the vocal tract.
Appoggio is an important technique for singing with optimal breath control, vocal quality, and range. It allows singers to sustain longer phrases without running out of breath, sing louder or softer without straining or losing tone, and reach higher or lower notes without cracking or breaking. Additionally, appoggio can help singers achieve more clarity, projection, resonance, emotion, expression, and nuance in their singing.

Practical Examples:
In order to practice appoggio, you need to become aware of and coordinate your breathing muscles and vocal folds. To help, try this exercise: lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your abdomen. Inhale through your nose and feel your abdomen rise, then exhale through your mouth and feel your abdomen fall. Do this several times and observe how your chest remains still and your lower ribs expand and contract with every breath. Next, stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms relaxed by your sides, and repeat the same process. As you exhale, say “ha” or “sh” as you press lightly on your abdomen. Keep your chest high and shoulders relaxed. To further practice, sing a comfortable note on any vowel while controlling the breath flow and pressure with abdominal muscles. Adjust the breath pressure according to the pitch, volume, and duration of the note. Repeat this with different notes and vowels to maintain a steady and balanced vocal production.
To apply appoggio to your singing posture, you should adopt a position that allows for ease and freedom in breathing and singing. When standing or sitting, keep your feet slightly apart and your weight evenly distributed. Make sure your back is straight and shoulders relaxed, without slouching or hunching. Balance your head and keep your chin parallel to the floor, avoiding any looking up or down or jutting of the jaw. Keep your arms relaxed and hands free, not crossing them or holding anything that may restrict breathing or movement.
To apply appoggio to your singing technique, you need to integrate your breathing and vocalization into a seamless and natural process. To do this, take a low and relaxed breath that fills your abdomen and lower ribs before you sing. Keep your throat open and relaxed, letting your breath do the work of creating the sound. Also, keep your chest high and shoulders relaxed, letting your lower ribs support your breath. Additionally, keep your abdominal muscles active and engaged while regulating your breath pressure and flow. Lastly, keep your head, neck, and spine aligned and upright to support your vocal tract.

Two songs:
1) Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Fast)
2) More than anything by Anita Wilson

[EdenSage]

Your definition and the practical examples you gave of this vital singing technique paint a very intriguing picture and while reading I did again try out appogio just like some of the videos we saw during the lecture.
I like how you highlighted that Appogio is not a specific posture or shape but it is also interesting how this practice can enhance our singing posture. When done right, appogio really does help a singer improve in their art. By incorporating appoggio into your singing practice, you’ll improve your technical skill and expressive range, allowing you to deliver captivating performances in various styles and tempos. It makes it easier for a singer to open up to trying other forms of music apart from the genre they are most comfortable singing.
With consistent practice of appogio, a singer moves from consciously incorporating appogio to flowing naturally with better breath control and articulation and not only does this practice enhance a person’s singing skills but it also affects the way a person speaks.
Other ways that I find myself subtly leading up to this practice is by
1. Engaging in swimming, sports and other physical exercises. This helps me work on my breathing
2. Reading and also listening to myself when I speak. This allows me pay attention to the consonants I produce in mhy speaking
3. Resting more. The word “relax” appeared quite a number of times in your note and I couldn’t agree more. Appogio will feel better when a person is relaxed. It won’t feel like a strain and the quality of the sound produced will be smoother

[Benny4real]

Hello

[EdenSage]

Appoggio which is an Italian word that means “support” or “leaning” is a very important vocal technique that is necessary for healthy and expressive singing.
Appoggio refers to the process of engaging the diaphragm and surrounding muscles to support the breath, giving room for efficient and controlled airflow. This support enables singers to produce a consistent tone, maintain pitch accuracy, and achieve optimal vocal resonance.
This technique is important in singing because it helps in the following ways
1. Breath Control: Appoggio helps regulate airflow, ensuring sustained notes and phrases.
2. Tonal Consistency: Appoggio provides a stable foundation for producing a consistent tone.
3. Vocal Freedom: By supporting the breath, appoggio reduces vocal strain and fatigue.
4. Dynamic Range: Appoggio enables singers to produce a wide range of dynamics.
5. Expression and Emotion: Appoggio allows for nuanced expression and emotional connection.
I apply Appoggio in the following ways
A. Physical Adjustments:
1. Posture: Maintaining an upright posture with relaxed shoulders.
2. Breathing: Inhaling deeply, feeling the diaphragm descend.
3. Support Muscles: Engaging my core, abdominal, and lower back muscles.
4. Placement: Feel the breath support in the lower back, just below the ribcage.

B. Vocal Exercises:
1. Lip Trills: I start with gentle lip trills, focusing on supported airflow.
2. Ah-Vocalizes: Sing “ah” on sustained pitches, emphasizing appoggio.
3. Scales and Arpeggios: Practice scales and arpeggios with controlled dynamics.
4. Phrasing Exercises: Sing phrases with varying dynamics and articulations.

Since I have identified breath control as a personal area of improvement, I intentionally integrate Appoggio when I sing by doing the following
1. Focus on breath support during rehearsal.
2. Connect appoggio to emotional expression.
3. Practice performance-ready conditions (e.g., standing, movement).
4. Refine appoggio through consistent practice.
By mastering appoggio, singers can unlock a more resonant, expressive, and healthy voice, enabling them to deliver captivating performances. Other helpful tips as discussed in the class include
1. Record yourself to monitor breath control and tone.
2. Practice in front of a mirror to observe posture and breathing.
3. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase complexity.
4. Seek guidance from a qualified vocal instructor.

Videos by Cheryl Porter were also recommended and they have been very helpful. She provides very practical examples like
1. Sustained Notes: Sing a long, sustained note (e.g., “Ah”) focusing on maintaining consistent tone and airflow. Feel the diaphragm support the breath.
Example: “Oooo” in “O Holy Night”
2. Dynamic Contrast: Sing a phrase with varying dynamics (e.g., soft-loud-soft). Use appoggio to control airflow and achieve smooth transitions.
Example: Halleluyah Chorus by Handel Messiah. Some parts are soft and other parts are loud
3. Articulation: Emphasize clear articulation by using appoggio to support precise consonant and vowel sounds.
Example: I proclaim by Enitan Adaba

Other song examples I use are
Slow Song: “Oh Night Divine” – Christmas Carol
– Use appoggio to sustain long notes in the chorus (e.g., “fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices….”)
– Emphasize emotional expression through subtle dynamic shifts
– Focus on clear articulation in the verses (e.g., “Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining….”)

Fast Song: “Shouts of Joy” – Praise song
– Employ appoggio to maintain control during rapid arpeggios (e.g., “Shouts of Joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous of the Lord”)
– Use supported airflow to achieve strong, crisp articulation (e.g., “Sing for Joy to the Lord Oh ye righteous ones…”)
– Emphasize dynamic contrast (e.g., “Sing to him a new song, let your heart rejoice in him….. let us exalt his naaaaame! Shout!”)

[Benny4real]

You got me when you spoke of expression and emotion. However, I looked forward to getting better insight as to what this entailed.
Firstly, I would say this, I believe every song should be done with the right expression and emotion to captivate the listeners. Your expression or emotion could just be the key to a song ministration. Is this to say that the mastery of Appoggio could be the key to perfect expression and emotion? There is a lot more groundwork to be done as Appoggio focuses more on breath control, vocal quality and range.
If we were to try singing Appoggio without the right mastery, our facial expressions and hand gesticulations could give us away. Hahaha
Appoggio is a very practical breathing technique that is extremely helpful to everyone who is musically inclined and has an affinity for singing.
There are specific songs that need appoggio to effectively ensure sustained notes and phrases like you said, still, every singer needs to incorporate this into their singing regularly till it becomes a part of them and not just for a song type.
Appoggio is just one of the many steps one has to take to have a better voice, better ministration but it is not “the key”, it is “a key” to singing better.

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