PHONETICS AND MODIFICATION The role of the tongue is very important: together with the lips, it forms vowels and consonants. Now we will examine each vowels. I: as similar as possible to the spoken I. The tongue touches the hard palate with its tip and the molars with its back. Example: RI. E: we have to distinguish between three different types – «è, e, é». Use (è) in low notes, (e) in central notes and (é) in high notes. Always keep the throat open, so even the sound (é) will be similar to (æ), an (a) mixed with an (e). Separate the tip of the tongue from the hard palate. O: lips forward, tongue backwards. Open the sound in low notes and close it in high notes (in Italian, as the sound «ó» in the word «ore»). A: : mouth in the same position of the O, pronounce A but think U (see Nanda Mari’s book). For women, keep the cheekbones high. U: lips forward, tongue backwards, external sound. : In low notes, always open vowels and maintain your lips tight. In high notes, do the opposite: open your mouth and close the sound of vowels. The throat is always open. Feel this opening sensation until the chest. Pronounce vowels and consonants in the mask, in a natural way, as much as possible. If you pronounce them with the jaw, the air spinning will change its direction from clockwise to anticlockwise and the airflow will be interrupted. (Never keep your jaw stiff, instead articulate it together with the lips). Sing as you were speaking, whatever the note. Please Note