the Lichtenberger® method

The Lichtenberger® Method (Functional Voice Training) was developed by singer and singing teacher Gisela Rohmert and ergonomics Prof. Dr. W. Rohmert at Darmstadt University in Germany in the early 80s. Together they founded the Lichtenberger institute: “Lichtenberger Institut für angewendte Stimmfysiology” (www.lichtenberger-institut.de) in 1982.

The work is based on studies that range from body therapies and acoustic physics to phoniatrics. Among the body therapies that have been explored in developing this method are Feldenkrais and Alexander Techniques. 

The method distances itself from more traditional manipulation techniques and it’s oriented towards the response of the vocal function and the voice to stimuli of the nervous system. 

The goal of the method is to find the most efficiency in using our vocal function, reaching our highest potential and discovering the real power of our voice with minimum effort. Through this approach we can actually be surprised by our voice instead of trying to match some model outside of ourselves, which can only be a limitation. 

Through simple and precise stimuli of the nervous system the student starts to discover new pathways to connect with his/her voice that go in the direction of freedom, efficiency and functionality, which is the way the vocal tract really wants to be used. The student gains a sense of fulfillment and pleasure when the singing becomes functional. The body will naturally look for this direction from this point on. 

By working this way we show the body new possibilities that it actually already knows and it can simply find again. The student is then encouraged to verbalize the process to allow it to surface to the conscious level, so that the information is integrated more clearly. Furthermore the process unfolds without the teacher telling the student what to do. The teacher is a facilitator gently guiding the student through the discovery of his/her voice, holding the space for this powerful adventure in the wondrous world of the human voice.

The Lichtenberg® Method can be applied to any kind of singing and to the speaking voice. Because of the way it respects the vocal function it offers numerous tools to heal from vocal dysfunctions such as nodules and other voice injuries.