Speech Level Singing
Lisa Perks is certified SLS instructor.

Lisa Perks
Certified SLS Instructor

SPEECH LEVEL SINGING EXPLAINED

Speech Level Singing is a vocal technique developed by Seth Riggs and can be explained as a form of Bel Canto adapted for the popular music styles of today.

The definition of the Speech Level Singing approach is that singing is literally "speaking on pitch". The ease that one produces tone to speak with should be the same as when singing, with no added manipulations or pressure to the body or vocal mechanism. "Speech Level Singing is an absolute refusal on the part of the performer to help the pitches in any way", says the founder of Speech Level Singing, Seth Riggs.

As a singer moves about their vocal range, the various pitches are created by allowing the vocal cords to go through a process called "narrowing" or "zipping". This can be compared to a guitarist or violinist shortening the string of their instrument to get different pitches by sliding their finger up and down the string. By keeping even tension on the vocal cords throughout the range the singer can pass through the bridges in the voice, smoothing over and eliminating any "breaks" in the voice. By "zipping" the singer allows less of the vocal cords to vibrate in the upper ranges giving a higher pitch and allowing more of the cords to vibrate on the lower notes creating a lower pitch, but with no increase or decrease in tension or pressure on the vocal cords.

In order for a singer to be singing at “Speech Level” they would be singing with a stabilized larynx throughout their entire range, along with no extrinsic muscular tension, and adducted (approximated) vocal cords. Speech Level Singing is NOT singing as you speak as many people do not speak correctly.

Speech Level Singing trains the neuromuscular pathway to respond correctly during the process of singing by using a series of exercises that are tailored to the student’s specific needs.

A combination of this pure approach of vocal cord vibration, proper breathing and a balanced larynx for premium body resonance creates the most pure and perfect tones for use in all styles of singing.