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About
the Voice
The
human voice has been used as a means of expression since the dawn of
time. It is the oldest musical instrument. In all its
forms, from wailing to whispering, speaking, shouting, singing, the
purpose of the human voice is communication.
When
we sing, we are communicating a message. Whether it is the
message of a beautiful melody or a message contained in the words,
the communication is ever present. It is the desire to
communicate that spurs humans towards singing. The
communication offered may be as simple as a happy feeling, or as
complex as the meanings and symbolism contained in some
poetry. Singing is a positive way of showing and venting
emotions, but perhaps that is the very reason some people are
apprehensive about the act of singing.
Now,
for a startling truth - everyone has the ability to sing. The
desire to sing resides in the human soul and spirit. If you
have the desire, then yes, you can sing. Every person has a
singer, a dancer, an artist inside them that is yearning to be
granted the opportunity of expression. The goal of taking
singing lessons is to uncover your singer within and allow your song
to be heard.
Singing is really a simple process, a matter of speaking on
pitch, and trusting that our bodies know what to do. Even
while knowing this to be true, many students of singing need to go
through a re-education process in order to let go of any muscular
tension in their singing so that they may fully achieve this state
of simplicity and trust.
In
search of their best singing voice, many students and amateur
singers fail to realize their full potential because they are trying
to sound like a certain singer or have preconceived idea of how they
should sound. they miss the point because the goal for each
singer is to discover his or her own free, natural singing
voice. Some voices may be characteristically "small" or
"light", others "big" or heavy". trying to change an intrinsic
part of one's voice will only lead to problems. A lily can't
be changed into a rose, and why would anyone want it to be?
Each flower has its own beauty. It is much the same when it
comes to developing one's singing voice. The key is to take
what we have and work to refine that.
Singers as with any artists, cannot be free to develop their
own abilities to the fullest wile trying to emulate someone
else. this is not to say that we can't learn from great
singers, but we must realize that each person is unique, each with
his or her own individual physiology and emotional makeup.
These factors combine to produce a person's own exclusive
sound. Of course, you won't sound just like someone else, just
as you can't have the same fingerprint as someone else. You
are unique and what could be better or more satisfying than finding
your own natural sound? Every singing star performing today
wouldn't be there if they sounded just like someone else. They
had to explore and develop their own strengths, talents and
individual sound, just as you will.
Voice
and Speech Singing
The
larynx
The
Larynx is the structure at the top of the trachea and is made up of
muscle and tissue. The larynx is otherwise know as the voice
box. The voice box contains the vocal chords which are made up
of two folds of tissue that are connected to muscle on either side
of the chords. If the chords are not brought together with a
balanced pressure of air and muscle pinch, you will have a strained
and tense voice. Strengthen the larynx and the muscles of the
voice box first. The breathing/support system works
automatically and is secondary to the larynx and vocal
chords.
The
Diaphragm
The
diaphragm is the large dome shaped muscle that is connected to the
bottom of the lungs. In and of itself, it is not able to lower
nor raise and relies on the lungs to lower it and the abdominal
muscles to raise it. The process of strengthening the breath
support system (abdomen) takes years and the tiny muscles of the
voice box have to work even harder to bring the chords together with
the resistance of the air from the diaphragm and the pushing from
the abdomen. With Speech Level Singing, this process takes a
third of the time or less. the chords have to come together
and find the proper balance of air and muscle strength (pinch)
to form a stylized sound. You must strengthen the muscles of
the voice-box and initialize those muscles in the act of singing in
order for the breath support system to engage
automatically.
Why it
is Important to Train the Larynx
The
larynx is the origin of speech. If one is to have a strong
voice then it goes to say that the muscles of the larynx must be
strong. If a singer is prompted to strengthen the abdominal
muscles and not the larynx, then the sound produced will be breathy
and the head voice will be weak and or a falsetto will occur which
is not acceptable. When the muscles of the larynx are directly
strengthened with vocal exercises, the muscles of the abdomen and
diaphragm will work involuntarily so specific breathing exercises
are not needed unless the student doesn't not know how to breath
properly in the first place.
Voice
Training
Posture
Good
Posture is essential for a singer. Quite apart from wanting to
appear, and feel, poised and confident in front of an audience,
there are technical reasons why good posture is the most fundamental
requirement in singing.
What
is Good Posture?
Good
posture is optimal vertical alignment of the various parts of the
body, with minimum tension. A concept used in jazz and ballet
is that of having an imaginary string attached to the top of the
head. The String pulls straight up, causing head, shoulders,
hips, knees and ankles to become vertically aligned. We want
the body to be erect, but as relaxed as possible.
For
singing the sternum is also slightly lifted to expand and elevate
the ribcage, and rotate the lowest ribs downward and outward.
Probably the most common student faults are a forward slump
of the shoulders and sternum, which collapses the ribcage, and
elevation of the canal, which pulls the larynx out of
position.
Why is
it Important? Three reasons:
1)
Correct vertical alignment with minimum tension leaves the vocal
mechanism (the larynx is suspended in web of muscles which are
attached to the skull and chin above, and the sternum and
collar-bones below. Any unusual tension or alteration in the
position of these muscles (such as lifting the chin) affect the
functioning of the larynx itself.
2)Having the ribcage lifted and expanded frees the diaphragm
to contract and descend as fully as possible with a minimum of
resistance. This means you get a maximum inhalation with the
least possible strain, and your breathing is as swift, easy and
silent as possible.
3)
Having the ribcage lifted is also optimal for the contraction of the
oblique abdominal muscles and internal intercostal muscles. In
combination with the natural elasticity of the ribcage, these
muscles exert pressure upon the contents of the torso, and give the
singer control of the air pressure being applied to the vocal
chords. This control of air pressure is sometimes referred to
as "Support"
Breathing
What
is proper breathing?
Breathing must be swift ( sometimes a piece of music doesn't
allow much time to take a breath) and quiet (the sound of a singer
gasping for air is distracting to an audience) In addition breathing
must involve minimum disturbance of a balanced relaxed
posture.
The
Mechanism of Breathing
To
induce air to enter the lungs, the air pressure inside them must be
reduced. This is done by expanding the lungs themselves, which
are elastic and attached to the inside of the ribcage and to the
diaphragm at its base. Any expansion of the space within the
ribcage causes an increase in the space within the lungs: lifting
the sternum, expanding the ribs or lowering the diaphragm all expand
the lungs, and therefore decrease the air pressure within them,
causing an inflow of air.
Breathing for Singing
Good
posture for singing already includes a lifted sternum and expanded
ribcage, therefore for singing purposes the diaphragm is the chief
muscle of inhalation. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped
horizontal muscle attached to the spine, the ribs and the
sternum. When it contracts it descends, decreasing pressure in
the lungs and causing air to flow in. Due to displacement of
the liver, stomach, etc. by the descending diaphragm, the abdominal
wall tends to protrude forward slightly, and maximum descent of the
diaphragm is accomplished by allowing it to do so, leaving the
abdominal muscles relaxed. This is called "diaphragmatic
breathing" and you can satisfy yourself as to the naturalness of
this way of breathing by lying on your back and simply observing how
the breathing mechanism behaves when you are completely
relaxed.
Exhalation can be accomplished by elasticity alone. All
of the body parts described have a natural tendency to return to
their original position, including the lungs themselves. However,
singing demands greater levels of air pressure, and greater control
of those levels, than speech. The internal intercostal
muscles, in combination with the oblique abdominal muscles are able
to contract progressively and , with practice, provide this fine
control of air pressure in the lungs.
Check
the page called "10
Commandments for Singers"
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About
the Voice
The
human voice has been used as a means of expression since the dawn of
time. It is the oldest musical instrument. In all its
forms, from wailing to whispering, speaking, shouting, singing, the
purpose of the human voice is communication.
When
we sing, we are communicating a message. Whether it is the
message of a beautiful melody or a message contained in the words,
the communication is ever present. It is the desire to
communicate that spurs humans towards singing. The
communication offered may be as simple as a happy feeling, or as
complex as the meanings and symbolism contained in some
poetry. Singing is a positive way of showing and venting
emotions, but perhaps that is the very reason some people are
apprehensive about the act of singing.
Now,
for a startling truth - everyone has the ability to sing. The
desire to sing resides in the human soul and spirit. If you
have the desire, then yes, you can sing. Every person has a
singer, a dancer, an artist inside them that is yearning to be
granted the opportunity of expression. The goal of taking
singing lessons is to uncover your singer within and allow your song
to be heard.
Singing is really a simple process, a matter of speaking on
pitch, and trusting that our bodies know what to do. Even
while knowing this to be true, many students of singing need to go
through a re-education process in order to let go of any muscular
tension in their singing so that they may fully achieve this state
of simplicity and trust.
In
search of their best singing voice, many students and amateur
singers fail to realize their full potential because they are trying
to sound like a certain singer or have preconceived idea of how they
should sound. they miss the point because the goal for each
singer is to discover his or her own free, natural singing
voice. Some voices may be characteristically "small" or
"light", others "big" or heavy". trying to change an intrinsic
part of one's voice will only lead to problems. A lily can't
be changed into a rose, and why would anyone want it to be?
Each flower has its own beauty. It is much the same when it
comes to developing one's singing voice. The key is to take
what we have and work to refine that.
Singers as with any artists, cannot be free to develop their
own abilities to the fullest wile trying to emulate someone
else. this is not to say that we can't learn from great
singers, but we must realize that each person is unique, each with
his or her own individual physiology and emotional makeup.
These factors combine to produce a person's own exclusive
sound. Of course, you won't sound just like someone else, just
as you can't have the same fingerprint as someone else. You
are unique and what could be better or more satisfying than finding
your own natural sound? Every singing star performing today
wouldn't be there if they sounded just like someone else. They
had to explore and develop their own strengths, talents and
individual sound, just as you will.
Voice
and Speech Singing
The
larynx
The
Larynx is the structure at the top of the trachea and is made up of
muscle and tissue. The larynx is otherwise know as the voice
box. The voice box contains the vocal chords which are made up
of two folds of tissue that are connected to muscle on either side
of the chords. If the chords are not brought together with a
balanced pressure of air and muscle pinch, you will have a strained
and tense voice. Strengthen the larynx and the muscles of the
voice box first. The breathing/support system works
automatically and is secondary to the larynx and vocal
chords.
The
Diaphragm
The
diaphragm is the large dome shaped muscle that is connected to the
bottom of the lungs. In and of itself, it is not able to lower
nor raise and relies on the lungs to lower it and the abdominal
muscles to raise it. The process of strengthening the breath
support system (abdomen) takes years and the tiny muscles of the
voice box have to work even harder to bring the chords together with
the resistance of the air from the diaphragm and the pushing from
the abdomen. With Speech Level Singing, this process takes a
third of the time or less. the chords have to come together
and find the proper balance of air and muscle strength (pinch)
to form a stylized sound. You must strengthen the muscles of
the voice-box and initialize those muscles in the act of singing in
order for the breath support system to engage
automatically.
Why it
is Important to Train the Larynx
The
larynx is the origin of speech. If one is to have a strong
voice then it goes to say that the muscles of the larynx must be
strong. If a singer is prompted to strengthen the abdominal
muscles and not the larynx, then the sound produced will be breathy
and the head voice will be weak and or a falsetto will occur which
is not acceptable. When the muscles of the larynx are directly
strengthened with vocal exercises, the muscles of the abdomen and
diaphragm will work involuntarily so specific breathing exercises
are not needed unless the student does not know how to breath
properly in the first place.
Voice
Training
Posture
Good
Posture is essential for a singer. Quite apart from wanting to
appear, and feel, poised and confident in front of an audience,
there are technical reasons why good posture is the most fundamental
requirement in singing.
What
is Good Posture?
Good
posture is optimal vertical alignment of the various parts of the
body, with minimum tension. A concept used in jazz and ballet
is that of having an imaginary string attached to the top of the
head. The String pulls straight up, causing head, shoulders,
hips, knees and ankles to become vertically aligned. We want
the body to be erect, but as relaxed as possible.
For
singing the sternum is also slightly lifted to expand and elevate
the ribcage, and rotate the lowest ribs downward and outward.
Probably the most common student faults are a forward slump
of the shoulders and sternum, which collapses the ribcage, and
elevation of the canal, which pulls the larynx out of
position.
Why is
it Important? Three reasons:
1)
Correct vertical alignment with minimum tension leaves the vocal
mechanism (the larynx is suspended in web of muscles which are
attached to the skull and chin above, and the sternum and
collar-bones below. Any unusual tension or alteration in the
position of these muscles (such as lifting the chin) affect the
functioning of the larynx itself.
2)Having the ribcage lifted and expanded frees the diaphragm
to contract and descend as fully as possible with a minimum of
resistance. This means you get a maximum inhalation with the
least possible strain, and your breathing is as swift, easy and
silent as possible.
3)
Having the ribcage lifted is also optimal for the contraction of the
oblique abdominal muscles and internal intercostal muscles. In
combination with the natural elasticity of the ribcage, these
muscles exert pressure upon the contents of the torso, and give the
singer control of the air pressure being applied to the vocal
chords. This control of air pressure is sometimes referred to
as "Support"
Breathing
What
is proper breathing?
Breathing must be swift ( sometimes a piece of music doesn't
allow much time to take a breath) and quiet (the sound of a singer
gasping for air is distracting to an audience) In addition breathing
must involve minimum disturbance of a balanced relaxed
posture.
The
Mechanism of Breathing
To
induce air to enter the lungs, the air pressure inside them must be
reduced. This is done by expanding the lungs themselves, which
are elastic and attached to the inside of the ribcage and to the
diaphragm at its base. Any expansion of the space within the
ribcage causes an increase in the space within the lungs: lifting
the sternum, expanding the ribs or lowering the diaphragm all expand
the lungs, and therefore decrease the air pressure within them,
causing an inflow of air.
Breathing for Singing
Good
posture for singing already includes a lifted sternum and expanded
ribcage, therefore for singing purposes the diaphragm is the chief
muscle of inhalation. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped
horizontal muscle attached to the spine, the ribs and the
sternum. When it contracts it descends, decreasing pressure in
the lungs and causing air to flow in. Due to displacement of
the liver, stomach, etc. by the descending diaphragm, the abdominal
wall tends to protrude forward slightly, and maximum descent of the
diaphragm is accomplished by allowing it to do so, leaving the
abdominal muscles relaxed. This is called "diaphragmatic
breathing" and you can satisfy yourself as to the naturalness of
this way of breathing by lying on your back and simply observing how
the breathing mechanism behaves when you are completely
relaxed.
Exhalation can be accomplished by elasticity alone. All
of the body parts described have a natural tendency to return to
their original position, including the lungs themselves. However,
singing demands greater levels of air pressure, and greater control
of those levels, than speech. The internal intercostal
muscles, in combination with the oblique abdominal muscles are able
to contract progressively and , with practice, provide this fine
control of air pressure in the lungs.
Check
the page called "10
Commandments for Singers"
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