“The hook-up between technique and the singing personality is developed by inducing a spirit of buoyancy and an elevated, inspired mental attitude, even in voice-building exercises and scales. Attitudes such as prayer, praise, joy, and pleading are induced at the same time that physical action is stressed. Breath comes because one has something to say while singing, even if it is only a vowel or a scale, and there is no effort to control the breath by locking the diaphragm or holding the ribs…Then the breath for the new phrase came automatically with the idea that something new was to be said. He (Dr. Bratt) believed also that this breath action reflexively opened and freed the throat without local throat consciousness, for he regarded the larynx and pharynx not only as a part of the phonating apparatus, but also as a freely opening part of the breathing mechanism.”
– Security in Singing, Bulletin of NATS, April-May 1949, by Allan Rogers Lindquest
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This comments is such a deep foundation of what it is to sing!!! Thanks for reminding me the ultimate sense of what I love to do! Communicate. Then breathing just happen how it should. Otherwise, thinking of “how to breath” becomes just a struggle. Merci!
Wow. Thanks for writing in. As you may have gathered, your Grandfather has been a model and inspiration for me in my research of the voice. All this just from second-hand lesson recordings and written articles. I never had the honor of meeting him. But the work he did over the many years of his life continues to help singers all over the world through my work. If you have any information that may help me in better understanding him and his teaching please contact me privately. Thanks again. Michael Mayer
My dream was to become a singer. I did not. I became, instead, the very proud granddaughter of Allan Rogers Lindquest. His daughter, Louise, (my mother) is still living and well at age 93. I am grateful for the wonderful comments made by his peers. Thank you. I had no idea he was admired & respected by so many. He was a kind and wonderful grandfather.