Singing A's Tool Chest Forum

[tommcq]

Dealing With Differing Vocal Qualities

"Different", in and by itself isn't "bad". However, in a quartet or chorus,
it is amazing how one voice with a clearly "different" tonal quality can
"stick out" and distract us from the overall performance.

The following seeks to outline specific methods to modify selected
"different" tonal qualities with the objective of moving them towards
a full, tall, rounded, well supported, freely produced, resonant sound
that is properly placed, with sufficient "ping" to create our "Barbershop
Ring".

A. BREATHY

Causes: Too much air, vocal folds not closed along the edge completely,
Tools: (ASSURE NO KNOWN PHYSICAL CAUSE)

1. Air Vs Tone Mix Ratios
Air 100%, Air 90/Tone 10, Air 75/Tone 25, Air 50/Tone 50,
Air 25/ Tone 75, Air 10/Tone 90

2. Vocal Fold Adduction Exercises To Strengthen Vocal Folds and
Surrounding Arytenoid Cartilage can increase loudness and vocal
quality.

CHECK WITH YOUR E,N&T, MD BEFORE DOING ANY OF THESE EXERCISES
Exercise at least three times daily to achieve maximum benefits.

Exercise #1

A. Sit in a freestanding chair. Grab the sides/bottom of the seat and take
a deep breath. Lift up on the seat while pushing your body into the
seat.
B. Try to make a loud vocal grunting or straining noise while exerting
Pressure. (The pressure will cause the vocal folds to close and
Therefore, give you more strength to push yourself down into the
chair.
C. Sustain the vocal grunt for as long as your air supply lasts.
D. Rest for 15 seconds and repeat.
E. Do the exercise ten times, holding each one as long as possible -- each
time working towards a more physical effort and louder grunt.

Exercise #2

A. Sit or lie down. Put both palms together. Take a deep breath and
exert pressure into your palms.
B. thru E. -- Same as Exercise#1

B. BRIGHT, TIGHT, NASAL & FAR FORWARD IN FACIAL MASK

Causes: Placement too far forward, throat tight, glottises under
pressure, managing breath with their throat, manufacturing higher
notes by tightening throat, dropping soft palate / sometimes touching
tongue, glottal controlled attacks, motivated to hear accuracy of their
own tones Vs to blend with and audibly enhance ensemble sound

Tools:
1. Try alternative placements e.g. "We, Sit, Let Hat, Far, Awe"
2. Open & Relax the throat PLUS Raise the soft palate
3. Create that "pre-yawn" spacious feeling
4. "Inner smile"
5. "Hot Potato"
6. "Tall Words"
7. "Breathe in a golf ball"
8. "Sense of Surprise intake of breath"
9. Relax glottis's by using "Warm Air" to sing with

C. DARK & SWALLOWED

Causes: Back of tongue is pulled toward/into the throat, "Placement"
too far back as in poorly placed "hod"

Tools:
1. Tongue extended to rest on lower lip (See Tongue Tension)
2. Feel A Range Of Alternative Placements

D. STRIDENT (Harsh, Raspy or Piercing)

Causes: Strained vocal production processes, tightness in throat,
intention to sing loudly like a "Broadway Belter"

Tools:
1. Warm Vs Cold Air
2. Raise The Soft Palate + Open & Relaxed Throat

E. VIBRATO & TREMOLO

Causes: Breath support & control management

Tools:
1. Tone Vs Air Mix Ratios
Air 100%, Air 90/Tone 10, Air 75/Tone 25, Air 50/Tone 50,
Air 25/Tone 75, Air 10/Tone 90

2. Strengthen Abdominal Muscles
Stand like a Champion.
Take a Singer's Breath.
Sing "hip, hip, hip, hip, etc." and feel abdominal muscles working.
Sing "ha, ha, ha, ha, etc." and feel those ab muscles working.
Just do "Puff, Puff, etc., Exhales until you have to take another singers breath. Feel those abdominals working?

3. Imagine These Things As You Sing
and -- notice that your abdominal and diaphragm muscles find a better balance that helps you control tremolo and unwanted vibrato.

Stand like a Champion and Take a Singer's Breath
Sing a "properly placed" target sound on "ih" as in "Sit".
Imagine that your tone is riding just above a STEEL BEAM
connected from you chin to some point, of equal height, 10 or 15 feet
away. KEEP your tone as straight as the Steel Beam.

Stand like a Champion and take a Singer's Breath.
Imagine casting out a fishing line 50 feet.
Now, as you reel in your fishing line -- Sing a phrase from a familiar
song and feel your voice traveling straight out to the end of the line.

Stand like a Champion and take a Singer's Breath.
Sing a "properly placed" target sound on "ah" as in "how".
Imagine that you are holding your breath while singing this sound.
Or
Imagine that air is coming into your mouth as you sing this tone.

Borrowed From Tom McQ's Pilfered Tools