The effect of Pilates respiration-based classical vocal technique on student's vocal performance : a single-case study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Pilates Respiration-Based Classical vocal technique (PRBC) on student's vocal performance. The participants were two students who were trained in contemporary and classical singing. The single-case (AB) design was employed in this study, consisting of baseline session (A) and intervention session (B). The Classical Voice Rubrics Assessment was used to measure vocal performance outcomes, with findings presented by visual inspection. During baseline sessions, participants were found to be not breathing sufficiently and not engaging their muscle supports during singing, which caused improper delivery of voice tones. Their vocal performances showed some progress during the second and third intervention sessions, then continuous improvement in their respiration and vocalization from the third and fourth sessions, until the last intervention session, when significant results were sustained. Regarding the PRBC, participants demonstrated improvement in vocal performance, including 1) Breathing management, 2) Phrase duration, 3) Intonation/ Pitch, and 4) Tonal quality/ Interpretation. Thus, the results of this study revealed that PRBC enhanced the classical voice performance of students effectively.;