Sample A
Before McClosky Seminar: The speaker, a tenor, uses a flat, nasal quality and has some cracking. The voice seems stilted. <click here to listen to Before Sample A>
After McClosky Seminar: At the end of the McClosky summer seminar: Now the speaking is higher in pitch, clearer, and more lyrical with varied inflections. There is better resonance and he sounds more youthful.<click here to listen to After Sample A>
Sample B
Before McClosky Seminar: The speaker, usually a mezzo- soprano, has a vocal disorder. The voice is hoarse and husky, with a somewhat low pitch range. It sounds as though the vocal folds are not adducting well. The speaker also has a labored intake of air before each phrase. <click here to listen to Before Sample B>
After McClosky Seminar: The speaker uses a higher pitch range; inhalation is less labored. She works to use good airflow. There is more clarity of tone, but she will need more time to make greater strides. However, in just this short period of time, she has learned to work for a much easier onset of tone. <click here to listen to After Sample B>
Sample C
Before McClosky Seminar: The singer's tone is not unpleasant, but is thin and lacks clarity in the low range. There is slight pushing as the singer uses tight vowels. The vocal folds are not approximating cleanly and the tone lacks breath flow. The singer can barely phonate on the syllable "ly" of "gallantly".<click here to listen to Before Sample C>
After McClosky Seminar: After the seminar: In a few days, the tone has become warmer, more powerful, containing more clarity and focus. The airflow is more efficient and the vibrato steadier. The singer has built up her endurance and is more consistent. She has achieved a much more free sounding tone. (The recording volume on the microphone was not adjusted to adapt to her louder high notes.) <click here to listen to After Sample C>
Sample D
Before McClosky Seminar: Before the seminar: This student already has a pleasant timbre. The speaker also has good pitch range, but the words are not supported. There is poor airflow, some squeezing and tightness.<click here to listen to Before Sample D>
After McClosky Seminar: Listen for these subtle differences: There is much better support and airflow, nice resonance, a warmer color, and more depth of tone. The tone also sounds more confident. <click here to listen to After Sample D>
