Voice Techniques: Strength and Flexibility

Introduction

• Focus of the Lecture: Understanding voice in terms of strength and flexibility.
• Common Issues:
  • Strong low voice but difficulty with higher pitches.
  • High voice freedom but lacking the strong, exciting sound.
• Goal: Achieve a mix for more balanced strength and flexibility.

Warm-Up Exercises

Rosini Scale

• Purpose: Cover a wide range and achieve balance.
• Instructions:
  • Use SOVT filter (lip roll, tongue trill, etc.) for relaxation and balance.
  • Start from the bottom range and ascend carefully.
  • Maintain smooth air stream and even volume.

Chest Voice Exercise

• Objective: Strengthen the chest voice.
• Technique:
  • Use "B" consonant to isolate sound in the mouth.
  • Emphasize medium volume and call-quality.
• Instructions:
  • Be aware of chest voice range differences between feminine and masculine voices.
  • Stop at comfortable range to avoid strain.

Head Voice Exercise

• Objective: Strengthen the head voice.
• Technique:
  • Use narrow "e" vowel with consonants like W, G, F for best results.
  • Focus on achieving balance without strain.
• Instructions:
  • Start with feminine voices, then include masculine as you descend.

Middle Voice Exercise

• Objective: Establish the middle voice.
• Technique:
  • Use NG warm-up to feel resonance in nasal cavity.
  • Transition from nasality to balanced sound.

Understanding Mix

• Mix Definition: Combination of strength and flexibility, involving muscle coordination.
• Key Points:
  • Resonance event involves familiarity with chest, head, and middle voice registers.
  • Vocal cord closure event involves TA and CT muscles.

Muscle Coordination

• TA Muscle: Provides strength through closure.
• CT Muscle: Provides flexibility by lengthening and thinning vocal cords.
• Exercise Example:
  • Use "GG" for vocal cord closure and "Hoo" for release.
  • Combine to achieve balance in mix.

Practical Tips for Singers

• Balanced Practice: Address weaknesses, not just strengths.
• Daily Exercises: Engage all voice registers and transitional bridges.
• Adaptation: Sensations change across registers, but aim for consistent sound.
• Vulnerability: Embrace new, unfamiliar sensations as progress.

Resources

• Further Learning: Access more videos and exercises online.
• Contact: Visit Wolf Studios for additional voice training resources.

These notes summarize the key points and techniques discussed in the voice training session, focusing on achieving a balanced mix of strength and flexibility in singing.