2 Mini, What, Zaw Exercise

Summary

This exercise helps identify where a person naturally resonates sound in their head—front, middle, or back—which is crucial for optimizing vocal harmony in group singing settings. The three types of resonance—'mini' in the front, 'what' in the middle, and 'zaw' in the back—are important for arranging children in a choir. Grouping them by resonance prevents vocal competition and improves intonation. The exercise is particularly beneficial for younger children who usually resonate with the 'mini' or 'what' sounds, while 'zaw' resonance typically emerges during the teenage years.

Takeaways

• 😀 The exercise aims to discover where a person naturally resonates sound in their head.
• 😀 There are three primary resonance spots: mini (front), what (middle), and zaw (back).
• 😀 A person with a mini resonance will have a bright, forward sound in their voice.
• 😀 A person with a what resonance has a more balanced sound that resonates in the middle of the head.
• 😀 A person with a zaw resonance produces a fuller, more resonant sound from the back of the head.
• 😀 Grouping children based on their natural resonance helps them sing in tune without vocal competition.
• 😀 Zaws, who have a fuller sound, should be placed in the back of the group.
• 😀 Whats, with a more neutral sound, should be placed in the middle of the group.
• 😀 Minis, with a bright sound, should be placed in the front of the group.
• 😀 The purpose of this arrangement is to ensure that children's voices complement each other rather than compete.
• 😀 Children in the classroom typically have minis and whats, with zaws being more common in older, teenage voices.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the exercise described in the script?

The main purpose of the exercise is to discover where a person naturally resonates sound in their head, which can help in organizing group singing exercises and ensuring voices don't compete.

How many resonance spots are there in the head, and where are they located?

There are three resonance spots in the head: the 'mini' sound at the front, the 'what' sound in the middle, and the 'zaw' sound at the back.

What is the 'mini' sound, and where does it resonate in the head?

The 'mini' sound is a bright, light tone that resonates at the front of the head. It sounds like 'what a penny, what a pity.'

How does the 'what' sound differ from the 'mini' sound?

The 'what' sound resonates in the middle of the head and is a more neutral, balanced tone. It might sound like 'what' or 'zoom zoom zoom.'

What is the 'zaw' sound, and where is it located?

The 'zaw' sound resonates at the back of the head and produces a fuller, deeper tone. It may sound like 'what a penny what.'

Why is it important to place students based on their natural resonance in a group setting?

Placing students based on their natural resonance prevents their voices from competing with each other, which makes it easier for them to sing in tune and improves the overall sound of the group.

Why is it more challenging for students to sing in tune if their voices are not properly organized?

If students with different resonance types (e.g., 'mini' and 'zaw') are placed together, their voices can compete, making it harder for them to stay in tune with each other.

At what age does the 'zaw' resonance typically emerge in children?

The 'zaw' resonance typically emerges as children reach their teenage years, which is why it is rare to find 'zaws' in younger children.

What is the reasoning behind placing 'zaws' at the back, 'whats' in the middle, and 'minis' in the front?

This arrangement ensures that voices complement each other rather than compete. The 'zaws' provide a fuller sound from the back, the 'whats' offer a balanced tone in the middle, and the 'minis' produce a bright sound at the front, leading to better harmony in group singing.

Does the exercise aim to make it easier for children to sing in tune?

No, the exercise doesn't make it easier for children to sing in tune. It focuses on organizing students based on their natural vocal resonance to help them sing more effectively in group settings.