Make it simple for your voice when you sing.
As a vocal coach and a singing teacher, I hear regularly the question about how to deal with vocal fatigue. It is often the case that after a long performance or intensive singing lesson we feel vocally tired. Moreover, we can hardly speak . As a result, it is clear that you need vocal rest.
Of course, it’s the right thing to do. But what if you will optimise the singing process ? Putting in less effort, reduces air pressure which makes our vocal chords move. Do not force the voice. It will give you opportunity to sing much longer and you will not experience tiredness.
Don’t force voice and don’t put extra weight on the sound when you sing.
In this paragraph, I’m going to discuss a few reasons why practice is important to mastering your vocal breathing skills. Firstly, all that we need to do is to have a clear idea what words we need to sing, sending a clear message from the brain to vocal chords and using air wisely.
Secondly,I would compare it with the opening the door: For example, whether you press handle vigorously or gently- the final result will be an opened door. The same happens with your singing voice.
Thirdly, we need to use a specific pressure of air for different notes in singing. For instance, as soon as you have created a right note, what’s the point to give even more weight towards your vocal folds? As a result, as soon as air pressure is higher than specific note needs, we start to “force” the voice when we sing. Consequently, you experience vocal fatigue
.
Video of vocal folds. How the larynx produces sound.
Please watch how our vocal folds work (photo/video) when you speak or sing. Furthermore, please note that vocal folds are staying on the same level. Typically, we think that they move up and down when we sing.
Breathing process in humans. Video. Great way to understand the way we breath during singing.
How to control the pressure of air and how to manage your vocal cords when you sing?
First of all, we need well-organised air stream which is going through these cords during singing. Second of all, make sure that your mind is sending clear command/message to your vocal folds. Thirdly, ‘Befriend” your diaphragm – before you do this, diaphragm acts itself without you asking it to do the job. To be clear, subconscious mind acts itself during these moments.
The moment we start to involve core muscles and diaphragm we start to feel general control over the muscle activity during the singing.
Have a look at vocal coach Seth Riggs & Michael Jackson singing lessons.
Please listen to a singing lesson of Michael Jackson who is working on his vocal technique with wonderful vocal coach Seth Riggs. You can hear clearly how much importance his singing teacher gives to vocal breathing. I think Michael Jackson had a great vocal technique and singers could learn a lot from him.
Summary on how to improve your singing voice and not to “force it”.
DO NOT PUSH THE VOICE.
BE CLEAR WITH CONSONANTS AND VOWELS ( vocal folds need a clear message in order to deliver the best result)
USE “BELTING”, ACTIVATE YOUR CORE MUSCLES, MAINLY, WHEN YOU SING IN A HIGH RANGE OF YOUR VOICE
It will help you to save your voice and not to feel tired. Of course, great vocal coach and singing teacher can guide you in a right direction, but you also need to explore yourself, the way you breath, the way you manage your voice. In conclusion, I should say that good self-analysis in terms of breathing (inhale-exhale) always brings fantastic results.
Useful links
Human respiratory system. The Mechanics Of Breathing. Britannica.com
Diagram of the Human Respiratory System (Infographic). Livescience.com
Comments are closed.