Freedom, ease, and power in song and speech for singers, public speakers, executives, and actors! Now in the Fifth Edition, this straightforward, clearly written guide presents David Blair McClosky’s highly acclaimed techniques for developing and mastering a more perfect voice as well as rehabilitating voices that have suffered abuse. McClosky’s methods, proven effective for more than 50 years, have been used by voice teachers, voice students, and speech pathologists as well as singers, actors, public speakers, executives, salespeople, ministers, broadcasters, and others whose voice use is significant in their life—including the late President John F. Kennedy. Practicing McClosky’s full range of techniques ensures that individuals can be the caretakers of their own voice and achieve maximum quality and fitness.

David Blair McClosky graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston and had a career in opera and oratorio performance. He subsequently dedicated over 50 years to studying the complexities of the vocal instrument and the treatment of voice disorders in singers and speakers. In collaboration with eminent otolaryngologists at Syracuse University and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, Mr. McClosky developed techniques to resolve vocal problems without surgery. He was Clinical Voice Therapist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and treated people from all over the United States and beyond. Mr. McClosky was Professor of Voice at Boston University and taught at the Boston Conservatory of Music. He lectured and presented papers at many prestigious universities and professional organizations throughout the United States and abroad. The techniques he pioneered in the 1950s—based on correct diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation of the extrinsic laryngeal musculature, and the proper use of the vocal folds to produce healthy phonation—are now used worldwide by performing singers, speakers, and teachers to maintain healthy, resilient voices even under demanding conditions.

The McClosky Institute of Voice, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the maintenance and enhancement of the healthy voice, as well as care and help for the troubled voice. Certified McClosky Voice Technicians (CMVTs) are voice teachers, professional singers and speakers, music educators, choral conductors, and speech and language pathologists. They are experienced in helping other professional voice users to modify their vocal habits to rebuild and enhance healthy, robust, and lasting speaking and singing voices.