"Problem 55. Is the voluntary control of vocal focus possible? Forty-one out of sixty authors who discuss vocal focus favor voluntary control of this factor in singing. Although opinions vary as to the exact place of focus, all forty-one seem to agree that the use of some form of upward and forward imagery is good pedagogical procedure since the attention of the singer is thus directed away from the laryngeal and throat muscles where most vocal constrictions originate. This diversion of attention has the indirect effect of inducing a normal relaxation of the vocal tract during phonation and a normal functioning of the vocal reflexes results. [Bartholomew 40] Nineteen authors are opposed to voluntary control of vocal focus. Some even deny the existence of a focal point of resonance, claiming that resonance is rather evenly spread over a large area of the vocal tract. They contend that forward focus is a sensory illusion; that any portion of the vocal tract can be sensitized by continually con centrating upon that portion. In other words, the so-called vocal focus Is really an attention focus which immediately heightens the singer's sen sitivity to vibrational activity in that area of the vocal tract where atten tion is being concentrated. This controversy needs a solution. Problem 56. How can the effects of a singer's so-called "focussing tech niques" be tested? Teachers claim that the conscious directing of vocal tone to the point of focus produces two perceptible effects. First, the point of focus becomes filled with vibrational activity which the singer himself can perceive by touch sensations. Second, the tonal effect emitted when the voice is being consciously focussed becomes decidedly more agreeable to the ear than before the conscious focus was attempted. Ex perimental evidence is needed of the actual increase in the vibratory out­put of vocal tone which the so-called point of focus contributes. Such evidence would justify the emphasis now laid upon this controversial concept or it would definitely dispel any illusions regarding the efficacy of teaching methods that employ voluntary focussing techniques." Source and further information: http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/training/singing-voice%20-%200359.htm http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/training/singing-voice%20-%200360.htm Further information: "The complete idiot's guide to singing By Phyllis Fulford, Michael Miller" http://books.google.com/books?id=b_W1Vn8TIWoC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=%22vocal+focus%22&source=bl&ots=CcdGHijyME&sig=jKLnANxSoGKwjqhI3yQ6StIf_sA&hl=en&ei=8KzjSt3KCYyQsAb_2OyCAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CB8Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22vocal%20focus%22&f=false