Voice Lesson CDs
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Style – Embellishments and Vibrato
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By Jeannie Deva
In this final lesson about Style, let’s briefly address vibrato and embellishments as tools to achieve a unique sound and audience response. See the earlier parts of the Style lesson in the Deva Club archives.
Embellishments
Embellishments, those extra notes used to adorn the melody, must be practiced until you can sing them clearly and accurately. Good rhythm, certainty about the melody notes and which vowel sound to sing are essential to accomplish this. The vowel pronunciation can remain the same through an embellishment or change as the notes do.
But if you make the mistake of singing an embellishment on a consonant instead of a vowel, the embellishment will not sound as good as it could and may be uncomfortable to execute. Listen to other singers as well as instrumentalists such as guitarists or horn players to get new ideas for your embellishments. My “Riffs, Runs and Embellishments” CD, now available as a download, will give you lots of practice.
Vibrato or Straight Tone
Vibrato, a tremulous effect caused by very rapid partial interruptions of a tone, can be used on the last half of a sustained note at the end of a phrase to enhance the emotion of the song. You can even reverse this by moving from a full vibrato into a pure or straight tone (a smooth sustained sound without vibrato).
For a practical application of creating a straight tone, sing the word “send” on any pitch, and sustain on the “eh” vowel sound. Think the vowel forward just a bit, adding a touch of tension on the vocal folds, without straining. Then try going back and forth between straight tone and vibrato. When you’re comfortable doing this experiment with other vowels and areas of your vocal range. By varying the width and speed of your vibrato, you can create many different textures and effects.
Objectivity
Remaining objective while developing your technique and style is often difficult but if you can do it, you’ll achieve a more satisfactory result much faster. A useful tool for staying objective is to record yourself singing whenever you can. Use the recordings to better analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
But keep in mind that since you are not likely to be using professional recording studio equipment, you will not be hearing a true representation of your voice. The electronics of the microphone and recording device will change the sound of your voice, so don’t let that discourage you. These recordings can still be used with benefit to improve your phrasing, embellishment and musical interpretation.
Listen, take notes and keep recording yourself, until you are satisfied with how you are performing each song. If even with recordings, you find it particularly difficult to achieve some objectivity; you may find working with a good voice teacher a saving grace.
Achieving Audience Response
All of this work and practice to develop your style will culminate in a performance that, hopefully will elicit a desirable response from your audience. It is up to you to decide what you consider desirable, both in terms of what message and emotional impact you impart and how the audience responds to it.
Take time to consider these before you go on stage or into the recording studio. Art can be used to uplift and inspire or it can be used for less noble activity. You may not be able to control everything about your performance and art, but staying aware of the influence you exert on your audience with your art, is the compass to desirable outcomes.
All the best,
Jeannie Deva
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She is the originator of The Deva Method ®, A Non-Classical Approach for Singers ™ and of Jeannie Deva® Voice Studios now celebrating their 30th anniversary. Jeannie is the author of the critically acclaimed vocal home-study course "The Contemporary Vocalist" book and CD series and "The Deva Method Vocal Warm-Ups" CD. She has been flown to recording studios worldwide as a vocal production specialist and has been endorsed by producers and engineers of the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac and many others. Clients include: Members of the J. Geils Band, Foghat, Grammy Winners, American Idol Finalists, members of the touring cast of Fame and Color Purple, and singers for Pink, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder and many more.
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