"Since the Toils." by Purcell. Ian Howell-Countertenor

[highnote32]

This is an Alto!!!!

[cledezmaslp]

What a beautiful voice and beautiful man! :)

[ryan33bttm]

Ian you're so handsome. 

[drj4u2b]

I'm a countertenor too I want to sing Son qual nave ch'agitata, can U upload a tutorial video?

Oh, thumbs up 4 ur voice

[rentourapartment]

@highnote32 did you read the entire long post? it stands for thyroarytenoid (the vocalis muscle)

[IcedFruitSlice00]

A captivating and beautiful voice. Can't stop listening to this!

[ianthecountertenor]

(please scroll down, as this is one of several comments in reaction to recent posts on this video)

...length of vocal fold while retaining the optimal balance between the CT/TA muscles that makes the chest/modal action (register) so full and loud.

:-).

Questions?

~Ian

[highnote32]

@ianthecountertenor What is a TA? What does that stand for?

[ianthecountertenor]

to behave in an optimal manner, but the basic information I provided is solid. Whether countertenors sing in falsetto or not is an outdated topic of discussion, as I hope I have shown that the word has no real useful meaning. It is a way of approaching singing, not a unique 'register.' It is much more accurate, and of far greater pedagogical value) to talk in terms of the muscles employed to elicit an efficient, optimal sound. What most countertenors do is sing on an adducted length (cont)

[ianthecountertenor]

logically explains why a falsetto approach has to be regulated to an adducted action. I can sing very whispy and weak pitches in my chest/modal range, and I would bet that they are the result of this same lack of TA engagement.

Now, what countertenors appear to do is to train their mechanism to adduct at a lower pitch than most tenors/basses/baritones, etc...

Of course it is more complicated than this (there are specific conditions that must be met in the throat for the CT/TA muscles (cont)

[ianthecountertenor]

the action head voice. here's where things get tricky. Some people are really good at continuing the antagonistic relationship between the CT and TA (I'll start abbreviating now) muscles as the adduction takes place. We tend to call what they do a mixed voice, or reinforced head voice or reinforced falsetto. If someone hasn't trained their mechanism to do this, we call it falsetto and lament how that is the only way that men can sing high pitches. IMHO, I haven't read anything that (cont..)

[ianthecountertenor]

section of the folds, leaving a shorter anterior portion to vibrate (less length is less mass, and can vibrate correspondingly faster = higher pitches). We tend to call the former action chest voice, or more recently, modal voice.  The relationship between the crycothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles (which one is winning the tug of war) changes through the range of the modal voice, but the folds retain their basic configuration. Once the posterior adduction takes place, we tend to call (cont.)

[ianthecountertenor]

the louder/denser/more colorful the sound will be. Despite the complexity of the larynx, there are really just a few competing muscle groups that offer a limited number of 'vibratory states' (what some people call registers). You can sing with a cricothyroid dominant action, or a thyroarytenoid dominant action (the vocalis muscle that wants to shorten and thicken the folds), or anywhere on the continuum between those two extremes. Around E4 in most voices, muscles close the posterior (cont..)

[ianthecountertenor]

Falsetto is a mode of singing in which the muscles that try to lengthen the vocalis muscles (the cricothyroids) do so with no resistance from the vocalis muscles themselves (which want to shorten and thicken the vibrating surface of the vocal folds.) This results in a very thin edge of muscle without much depth; the vocal folds actually ripple up from the bottom to the top as they vibrate, and the thicker the folds are, the more surface area that meets at the point of approximation, (cont...)

[ianthecountertenor]

@Vasinger, @lwpysj, @renzy79

Hey guys! My, my, this issue does seem to come up often on Youtube videos of Countertenors. I actually wrote a blog post about it some time ago.

Long and short of it is that all of you are wrong, but only because the terminology you are using is flawed. :-) It is a little like talking about God; everyone hears their own definition in the words of others. (continued...)

[dark999crow]

My God! Divine voice!!! divine music!!!

[Pellegrinaq]

Thanks for posting this video. I love Purcell, but I had no ideas he wrote other plays than Dido, Queen and Arthur. Dioclesian sounds very beautiful, indeed!

[zutal0rs]

Rather haunting...thank you.

[SlovenskyRaj]

Great sound at the lower end of your range and blending into your chest voice and back up again! "With cymbals" Some days I can do it and on others it feels like my throat shrinks up. Just try to warm up gently and hope it expands?

[VASINGER]

Hes not singing falsetto. I can hear the mixed sound of chest voice and head voice in there. Its a miconception. Falsetto is used much more in pop music of course . Go listen to David Gates .

[LWPYSJ]

@VASINGER The practice of a countertenor is to sing ONLY in falsetto. He IS singing falsetto, as all countertenors do. The part you hear Ian sing was written for a castrato singer of the period (often for a specific singer). I would suggest that if you know nothing about singing, the various zones of the voice or countertenors in general that you don't comment with completely inaccurate information that will confuse other people, who through no fault of their own, are as clueless as you.

[VASINGER]

@LWPYSJ Im a professional singer, but anyways, I only had 1 year of classical voice training. I was just pointing out that head voice is not quite the same as falsetto because when you intergrate them both it becomes fuller in the register. Falsetto voices are lighter.

[renzy79]

@LWPYSJ It is not true that ALL countertenors sing in falsetto. That idea seems to be predicated on the falsehood that all men are incapable of expansive upper registers in full voice (head or chest). TRUE countertenors do not use falsetto at all. I know 2 dramatic counter tenors one capable of soprano B flat and the other has a soprano E flat. Full voice. They are rare, but TRUE countertenors do exist. One of the purposes of the castrati -albeit barbaric was to avoid the thin falsetto sound.

[LWPYSJ]

@renzy79 To state that countertenors do not use falsetto AT ALL is crazy. You obviously have no idea about the art or singing in general. Search for "David On Countertenors" on youtube. States it clearly. You listen to any early music E.G madrigals, featuring an all male voicing, the top countertenors will ALWAYS use falsetto and as david says on that video, perhaps supporting it sometimes with the chest. Learn about singing before you comment please. Thank you.

[renzy79]

@LWPYSJ My statement stands as does my Masters in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Countertenor refers to the upper range extending outside of the general male upper register. Countertenors do NOT need to use falsetto. Let us example the word falsetto. False voice. There are TRUE lyrical, spinto and dramatic countertenors that sing utilizing their head and/or chest voices. While those using falsetto are often given this designation by default they are not TRUE countertenors.

[LWPYSJ]

@renzy79 With all due respect, stating you're qualifications in Music Education means nothing. I have a 1st class honors degree in Music Performance and Composition. It means nothing. My point is... Countertenors use falsetto because thats where the music lies. Only the castrati of early music could retain their chest voice into the upper register of a female sop. There ARE some people who have the range of soprano because of various conditions...

[renzy79]

@LWPYSJ Where "the music lies"? That statement is subjective not objective. If that is what you prefer then that is certainly your right. The purpose of the castrati was to get the fuller sound because men with that natural range are rare, though they do exist..It seems like you are inferring that a true lyric countertenor could not perform the piece as well as one using false voice. I disagree adamantly. The most valued "countertenors" in the music world are capable of natural vocal brilliance.

[LWPYSJ]

@renzy79 CONT.... But the majority of countertenors practice the use of falsetto as the main tool in that style of music. YES the chest voice is used, but how you can fail to see the glaringly obvious fact that the falsetto is used more so. We obviously have differences in opinion. I can accept that. But please refrain from waving you're MA around thinking you are some authority in Countertenors. When you are clearly very far from it.

[jordanviach]

your man on the flute is really good...and you look mighty like an irish friend of mine...AND you're amazing!

[TrebleB4Mi]

I wish I could sing with that kind of presence in the lower part of my voice. It's such a seemless sound with no awkward register shifts. Simply amazing

[zutal0rs]

Thank you Ian. Lovely.

[MisterGoofy]

wonderful voice !

[eveesth]

He looks a little bit like Alfred Deller.

Does he do it on purpose? jajaja

[1BODGER95]

Wars doesn't need an apostrophe!!! 1:20

[ianthecountertenor]

It is a contraction of "...War is at an end." "War's at an end."  Talk to Purcell's librettist.

[1BODGER95]

I see, Sorry : )

[Lifecomesfromwithin]

@ianthecountertenor Um hmm. :)  Lol. Thumbs up.

[hocevarmarko]

why is this ??

[xMeatShieldx]

I like their recorder players their so into it

[islezeus]

He has a beautiful face

[Glaukope]

His voice is unforced and so naturally, as like as it has to be. He is a perfect Contralto.

[starbreez3]

Are you serious??? His voice is so... soft and, I don't know the right word to describe it, it sounds pretty loose for a 'perfect contralto' , it's totally powerless.

[matrix86]

You mean "countertenor"...a contralto is a female who can sing in the male tenor range.

[VASINGER]

I think he does a good job. The piece isn't supposed to be powerful. Its soft and light. His voice fits what the music is supposed to do. You dont sing at the top of your lungs on every song.

[starbreez3]

Meh, but even at this low register his voice shouldn't be so nasal.

Listen to Carlos Mena, and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[VASINGER]

Nasal? Are you kidding? I guess people mistake clairy for nasal. Its not nasal at all. You dont hear correctly.

[starbreez3]

Okay then, if you say so :).

[ren23scy]

his voice sounds like alto.. howw light.. excellent..

[mangler]

Lovely voice.

[thedavidhumping]

I love harpsichords

[HebrewBassist]

O_O Thats like grey pritchard or something....

[adamfaramir]

What a beautiful angelic voice!!!

Bravissimo!

[countertenorNZ]

I really enjoyed that!You have a wonderful voice & it has such a warm rich timbre to it!

[Etyde]

A beautiful LOW countervoice! Very beautiful!

[Dacookstar]

I like music too!

[eduardoromera]

Simply is a great voice. I like a lot of.

[animefan3331]

Bravo again!

[Noomanaut]

wow the enunciation on the low range of the falsetto is awesome. I loose enunciation in that range

[ydracomagusy]

I'm hearing head voice. No falsetto. He's done an excellent job in smoothing over the change between of his head voice and his middle/chest voice. Listen to christofillas to hear good falsetto technique, though not a particularly beautiful sound. This guy isn't using falsetto.

[olialto7]

I do believe that head voice and falsetto are identical. I can tell you that Howells is definitely using what most people would call falsetto.

[bronx43]

Wrong. Head voice and falsetto are certainly not identical. The anatomical positioning of the vocal folds during the two are entirely different.

[olialto7]

I think what you call 'head voice' I would call 'mixed voice' by the sounds of it.

[bronx43]

Then what do you call true head voice that isn't falsetto?

[olialto7]

I believe that falsetto 'is' true head voice. Anything else is an admixture of the modal voice with falsetto.

[bronx43]

My understanding is that falsetto can't be mixed with modal voice. Head voice, on the other hand, can be mixed. True head voice is simply head voice that doesn't have any mixture.

[olialto7]

What, for you, would be a good example of true head voice in the male voice? Or rather, who, I suppose.

[bronx43]

True head voice is very hard to discern by the ear from falsetto, but it's the actual positioning of the vocal cords that are different. In fact, I can barely differentiate the sound on myself when I sing both.

[olialto7]

Is 'head voice' something you believe that countertenors use? Or tenors? Or just very high tenors? And do women use just head voice ((in their upper register)?

[bronx43]

I don't know too much about female vocals, but for male singers, head voice is used by pretty much of the classification of singers. Head voice is simply a shortening of the vocal folds without mixing with chest voice.

[olialto7]

And falsetto is...? Just using the very edges of the vocal cords? What voice do you have?

[olialto7]

I don't really have a much clearer view of what your opinion is on the subject of falsetto vs. head voice based on the answers you've given. You don't seem to know yourself, except that you're very clear that I'm wrong! Not very convincing...

[bronx43]

What's more clear than the fact that there is no cord adduction in falsetto? The sound is being produced throughout the entire length of the vocal cord. If you know how to adduct your vocal cords, then you'll know what i'm talking about.

[olialto7]

How you think that's a useful message is anyone's guess... I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, though I dare say I've done all sorts of things with my vocal cords. I was asking if you could give me a clear example of 'typical' head voice in performance and one of 'typical' falsetto, not try to bamboozle me with technical terms.

[bronx43]

First off, how are those technical terms? Anyone who has the slightest idea about singing knows that they are elementary at the very least. Secondly, I posted a few links explaining this on your wall.

[olialto7]

Yes, sorry, I got a bit over-excited in my last message! Did you post links? If so, I can't find them.

[okebaram]

That's an arrogant assumption, friend. You have to think outside classical music. Contemporary Gospel music for example has very AMAZING singers (just beasts!), but it's true that some incredibly talented singers in a gospel setting/choir refer to both head and falsetto as either head or falsetto, and refer to ONLY chest voice as full voice. In fact, I like it that way, I hate the term "chest voice",...

[okebaram]

... and I care little about the technical differentiation between head and falsetto as opposed to sound-descriptive differentiations.

By the way, this man is singing in head voice.

And I don't believe head voice is literally mixed with chest. Even if we call that other voice "mixed" lol

[bronx43]

You are right in that there are many incredible singers who probably can't differentiate between falsetto and head voice as far as the terminology, but I guarantee you that they are able to sing both and have a good grasp on their acoustic qualities. There does exist a sound-descriptive differentiation between head voice and falsetto, but it's rather subtle. Falsetto is substantially more "airy" than head voice, and it also carries more a lower texture due to the entire length of the vocal folds

[bronx43]

In fact, a singer can technically supplant all falsetto with pure head voice and vice versa without losing any dramatic effect. The real difference between the two comes in their abilities to mix with chest voice. Head voice can be mixed, while falsetto can't.

[okebaram]

I think of mix or what i call mix as a transition voice, and sometimes, what is called mix is loud, strong head voice (or falsetto). For a clear voice with high range, the mix feels perfectly like a mix between head and chest. But having obtained mix on periods when my voice was hoarse an all (and I am a baritone), when it does not come effortlessly, I know that it's not a mixture. And in the same way people "mix" their head with chest, I most certainly do "mix" my falsetto with chest as well

[clioandeuterpe]

Your clarity of tone and crisp enunciation are such a pleasure to listen to.

[lyennai]

Wonderful. thank you for posting the lyrics too!

[blairerox]

OMGOMGOMGOM

im a countertenor!!

:DD

im so happy ive found someone like me

loved it

[juju1305]

Wonderful. A real pleasure for the ears... and the eyes ;)

[Cerulean0987]

The eyes indeed.  He is very handsome. *8)

[juju1305]

yup! really yummy. But genuinely beautiful, not using good looks to make up for lack of talent. His looks are the icing on a marvellous cake :)

[yamiyugikun]

Beautiful!

[PumaBarf]

pretty amazing dude

[Ferdinand0880]

Sublime ...

[inna177]

This is beautiful.

Trinity Church Choir will give a concert in St. Paul's Chapel Monday 10/27 at 1 pm. Mass in B Minor-Bach.

[sopralto817]

I have never seen anyone perform so wonderfully as Ian Howell. I first saw him sing at a Messiah performance in New Haven with the American Classical Orchestra and the Trinity Men& Boys choir. His technique, everything, was perfect and his voice was like molten gold. I wish he were doing more concerts in that area so I could see him perform again.

[forgottentenor]

Fantastico!

Robert

(American CounterTenor)

[mradaChris]

Yes I do agree with Robert here!

[sebakoncep]

ian howell es lo mejor en contratenor que he escuchado hasta el momento.

[mradaChris]

That was very good! I haven't listened to much of Purcell but this was very engaging and a joy to listen to.

[senesino83]

Bravissimo! This Purcell repertoire is so difficult (always middle-low register!) - You did fantasticly ;)

Love,

Flavio

[saxysaxist]

This is a wonderful performance. I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.

[MizzYvon]

Wonderful voice!

[grupomemphys]

A brilhant voice in a expressive performance ! Wow ! I'm your admirator! Congratulations ! Very beautifull !

[rochelimit55555]

i just saw u! YOU'RE AWESOME!!

[armycasa]

Well done Ian. I'm a member of your newsgroup. You sing wonderful, I like your voice a lot. Thiese piece is very nice and amazing. All the best. Armando

[terava44]

Dans le calme du soir ce n'est pas désagréable à entendre. Les pipeaux sont surprenants.

[TrebleB4Mi]

I wish I could pull down my head voice down that far as easily as you do. Is your modal voice a Baritone or tenor?

[MugFugInc]

your countertenor has an excellent sound (a compliment thats hard to get out of me((not that you should care about me;D)).. but truly excellent because you mix your registers properly and your chest voice tone matches your head voice-perfect

[mrharpsi]

This is one of the most beautiful voices that i've ever heard!!! And sure, one of the best counter-tenors i've ever heard!!!

[juliuscena]

Sounds very nice... I saw you with Chanticleer in 2004 SF.

[MerricMaker]

Lovely recording. Why the follow the bouncing ball thing in the video? Your annunciation is just fine, the subtitles aren't required.

[ianthecountertenor]

Hi,

Thank you for your compliment. I'm just trying to make it easier for anyone who learned English as a second language.

Ian

[KMatteKudasaiC]

Think you cood give me a few tips on singng in falsetto? Maybe a good exercise that could help me develop a nicer falsetto.

[ianthecountertenor]

Hi,

setting up the action to sing in a full manner throughout your entire range is a little trickier than I can explain over the internet. If you are ever in the New York/CT area, we could set up a lesson. You can contact me through my ianhowellcountertenor dot com website.

Best,

Ian

[san6166]

Who are the Recorder Players?

[ianthecountertenor]

They are Sophie Lariviere and Matthias Maute (a married couple).

[vitellia]

This is what a real countertenor is supposed to be, not a castrato wannabe. His falsetto is so even and substantial especially in the lower range. I still wonder, however, whether this aria was originally meant for a countertenor or a tenor as I have heard both.

[eeli1]

Ian, nice upper register in chest range, that's a more immpressive countertenor sound. Oh and you're a total hottie.

[veganswines]

the timbre sounds gentle and natural! beautiful!

[ankelillo1965]

Anyone know how contact with Howell? I m interested in make a work proposition in Spain.Thanks!

[ianthecountertenor]

Hi. You can contact me at ian(at)ianhowellcountertenor(d­ot)com

Best,

Ian

[coroudec]

Beautiful voice indeed :)

[richscholar]

amazing and beautiful. There is nothing stopping you from success!

[noahflint]

u got a beautiful voice! i used to find counters a little creepy, but i really enjoy listening to you! Got any CDs out?

[andreasscholl]

Oh YEAH!!!

And Ian is realy beautiful and talented singer.

Verry good!!!

[neekabrown]

I just wanted to say that until I heard you sing, I hated countertenors... because the ones I had heard just sounded screechy. But your voice is so beautiful and you have changed my mind about the countertenor voice. Brava!

[vivacantando]

Beautiful! If you're switching registers for those low notes (surely you must be), it is practically impossible to tell. Excellent work!

[Snarkymom]

His diction is so amazing, he hardly needs the captions! Great job!

[klarasong]

Hi, I am a recorder player in South Korea. Your singing is very beautiful and your voice is also very lovely and so clear. I love to listen your singing.

And I also love to hear the two recorder players duett playing during this piece. If you will be release a debut recording, I would love to buy and keep one.

Thank you for sharing us with your beautiful voice and music.

[EnricusIX]

Wonderful! I love Purcell and this is a great way to sing his music.

[Henspert]

Allright, Andreas scholl has competition! Oh, Looking down I see he has posted here. Hey Andreas I like Wayfaring Stranger. Thanks. Ian, do you have any CD's

[OnarycO]

That is not the REAL Andreas who commented - the real one is 40 and is from Austria... as opposed to 32 in Holland!

[andreasscholl]

I'm a BIG fan from Andreas, and like his singing.

Allso a counter-tenor.

And my teacher is beautiful soprano...so that's why I'm here!

To post and comand the singers and reviews.

Kiss Andreas.

(Ps Did you see Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills are allso here???)

[dvma]

The flute players are a little too ecstatic to be tooting away, but nice lows on your voice, as others said.

[lionelpower]

Excellent future for him!!

[correpetitor]

I really like your voice. Couldn't you hold the note calmly? Very nice performance, too! It's right, you have nice low notes.

[Ravensinger]

This song is so incredibly beautiful...you and the entire group are just fantastic!!!!

[eustazio]

very very nice low notes :)

[juju1305]

hey! My eustazio de london? (c'est juju de i-love-juju) ;)

[andreasscholl]

Beautiful and verry stylish sung by this talented singer.

Go see him on his Yahoos site!!!!

Greetings, Andreas.