This approach to vocal training was developed in the early 1980s by singer and singing teacher Gisela Rohmert and ergonomics professor Dr. W. Rohmert at Darmstadt University in Germany.

The founders believe we are born with a perfectly healthy voice. New born babies can cry for hours and even days at a time, and never complaint of having a hoarse voice. Their voice is strong, powerful and piercing and their bodies so small. They are not thinking about their diaphragm or breathing while vocalizing, crying or screaming. They can project so loudly without any effort. The ability to use our voice naturally and powerfully is in us. 

Some of us maintain this instinctive relationship with their voice since birth. These are so called “natural singers”. They don’t need much training and any vocal technique will probably do.

The Lichtenberger® Method was born to make singing available to all who may be experiencing discomfort while singing, or feel they need to make a lot of effort to project, or feel don’t have the talent, skills or inclination the “natural singer” has. So many of us give up on singing believing we can’t do it, it’s not for us or we don’t have the talent. 

We don’t really need a talent to sing. Singing belongs to us, to every one who has a voice. There is nothing such as tone deaf. People who have difficulties matching pitches just need help rewiring the connection between their larynx and their ears. Sometimes pitches fall into place within one or two sessions. 

The founder of the method created a pedagogy to skillfully facilitate the rewiring needed to reconnect with our voice in a natural and instinctive way. Each one of us has specific needs and we, Lichtenberger Method teachers, are trained to listen attentively to each one’s voice and understand the help each student needs. 

Singing is not anymore a form of expressions that only a few of us can enjoy. The method is here to make the joy of singing available to anyone who has a desire to sing and explore their voice. 

This method is sound-oriented and not body-oriented. The method focuses on using sound itself as a tool for improvement, rather than relying on traditional manipulation techniques. It emphasizes raising awareness and stimulating the senses rather than following predetermined and mechanical vocal exercises. 

The Lichtenberger® Method employs several unique approaches:

1. Stimuli-based learning: Simple and precise stimuli are used to help students discover new pathways to connect with their voice.

2. Non-corrective guidance: Instead of telling students to correct tensions, teachers guide them to feel and investigate the tension through sound.

3. Question-based pedagogy: Teachers use targeted questions and sensory stimulations to help students develop their individual physical perception of sound.

4. Self-discovery: Students are encouraged to verbalize their process, allowing for conscious integration of new information.

The Lichtenberger® Method can be applied to various types of singing and speaking voices. It's particularly noted for its potential to help heal vocal dysfunctions and injuries. By focusing on the body's natural physiological functioning and reducing pressure in sound production, this method aims to develop a rich, self-sustaining sound with great flexibility and assurance in music-making or speaking.