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Denes Striny, Head First. The Language of the Head Voice: A Concise Study of Learning to Sing in the Head Voice. Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books, 2007. Paper, xix, 151 pp., $26.00. ISBN 978-0-7618-3671. www.univpress.com Companion compact disk $11.95 www.DenesStriny.com
The inspiration for Head First struck when Denes Striny heard Christa Ludwig pose this question in a master class: "Where have all the head voices gone?" The question resonated profoundly with Striny. His premise is that the head voice, which Striny believes is not understood by most contemporary singers or pedagogues, is the only true operatic sound. The rampant use of chest voice has not only degraded the art of singing, but also substantially shortened singers' careers. The author is an advocate for singing in the head voice, with a judicious use of chest voice. The title of the book, however, has a double meaning. The term "head first" also refers to his belief that singers must be intelligent about voice use. "Use your head, and use your head voice," summarizes Striny, placing the responsibility for healthy, beautiful singing upon the singers themselves.
Striny chronicles his own vocal journey as an illustration, referring to examples on a companion compact disk that is available for purchase separately. On the first track, he is heard at eighteen years with a ringing, lyric tenor voice. When Striny was nineteen, his voice teacher began training his tenorino voice as a baritone. After seven years of singing baritone-and with a measure...