5.2 Formation of vowels

Formation of vowels

There are special requirements that are peculiar to each particular vowel sound. All of the vowels, however, share some of the same requirements for good production. These are:

1. A relaxed jaw

2. A relaxed tongue

3. Proper room in the mouth

These three conditions, upon which good vowel formation depends, are those that are most frequently absent, in combination, from choral performances. Any choral director that has served as an adjudicator will attest to the common failure of singers (both solo and choral) to drop the jaw and open the throat. These are important enough to be dealt with individually.