In its early history, vocal pedagogy (how teachers teach) was based on fairly simple principles: train the voice in a way that it transitions smoothly, with little muscular effort or strain, between its two registers (chest register and head register) with the result that the sound is beautiful, fluid, and so that the vowels sung are pure. Simple. There were vocal masters in Italy, who prior to the mid-1800's and through much study, found that the mechanics of singing required nothing really more than balance. Not muscle. Not heavy diaphragmatic support. Not 'putting sound in the mask'. Not lifting the soft palate or excessively depressing the larynx. Simply by experiencing and focusing on what is happening in the throat (the vocal cords and larynx) and in the mouth (shaping of vowels), the result will be resonance that is natural, unforced, and beautiful.
IVA: Institute for Vocal Advancement
The IVA technique is based on 17th and 18th century principles of singing developed by the Old Italian School of Singing. Our goal is to train voices to sing in a free and natural manner smoothly, from the bottom of the range to the top with no breaks or sudden changes in quality. Training in this technique gives the singer access to all dynamics, with tonal clarity and flexibility. Also training in this technique helps improve a singer's range, endurance, stamina, breath control, resonance, vocal strength and vocal quality across all styles of music without fatigue or damage to the voice. We accomplish these results by training the singer to find a balance between airflow and intrinsic muscular resistance, all within a resting laryngeal posture. www.vocaladvancement.com
MVT: MODERN VOCAL TRAINING
"Modern" vocal training refers to the fact that more current/modern styles of music require knowledge of specific vocal postures that are built upon the foundation of a good mastery of balancing vocal registers. These postures create vocal effects that best convey more intense vocal communication and can be done WITHOUT harm or strain to the voice.