Free Lessons
By Jeannie Deva
In teaching thousands of singers around the world, I have never met one who did not have more potential range than they knew and were using. Sometimes factors such as smoking cigarettes or pot, heavy drug or alcohol use, etc., can limit range expansion. However, in the absence of these inhibitors, an increase of range can be achieved with knowledge, understanding, and the right exercises. With that in mind, let's explore what you need to do to expand your vocal range.
HOW THE VOICE WORKS
Usually when you refer to "my voice" you're thinking of the way you sound rather than the physical parts of your instrument. It's important to know that the way you sound and the size of your range is the result of small natural muscle movements inside your body. Of particular interest are the muscles in your throat, back of mouth and larynx (voice box). The better conditioned and limber these muscles are and the less you interfere with their natural movements, the better you sound.
The sounds of your voice are varying degrees of vibrations which emanate from the vocal folds (yes, folds, vocal cords is not the right name). Your vocal folds are located in the front of the throat just behind the Adam's Apple. They lie horizontally across the inside of your breathing tube. In order for your vocal folds to produce different pitches for you, they must vibrate at different speeds.
BREATHING VERSUS VOCAL SOUND
For breathing, the folds are relaxed open and air passes freely between them. To demonstrate, put your feet flat on the floor. Put them together side by side. Now keep your toes together and open your heels. You'll see a wedge-like space between them. This is somewhat how your vocal folds are positioned during breathing. Your toes together represent your Adam's apple. Looking down at your feet is like looking down through your head and throat and seeing the tops of your vocal folds inside your larynx.
Now keep your toes together and close your heels. Your feet should be touching side by side. For singing or speaking, the back ends (your heels) automatically close and the rims of the folds lie next to each other. This is so the air can make them vibrate. The air stream must come under them, support their particular position, and stimulate their vibration. For different pitches, the folds stretch and thin. Different lengths of the folds vibrate appropriately. This is similar to how you would fret a string on a guitar, shortening it, in order to make different pitches.
The muscles of the vocal folds are able to do this automatically, as long as they are conditioned properly and nothing hinders them, such as too forceful an air stream or throat muscle tension. But who wants to have to think about breathing while singing!? The best breath support would be one which automatically provided just the right amount of air for each pitch you sing without causing tension. This type of breath support is an integral part of The Deva Method.
FIVE PRIMARY CAUSES OF THROAT MUSCLE TENSION
Here they are:
1) Lack of adequate vocal warm-up
2) Air over-blow
3) Over articulation (emphasizing mouth, lip movements when singing or talking)
4) Using force rather than resonance for volume
5) Trying to compensate for under-developed vocal muscles
1) Lack of Adequate Vocal Warm-Up - To understand why vocal warm-up is important, let's take a look at certain realities of muscles. The more active your muscles are, the more blood flow they need to supply oxygen and nutrients. As well, the muscle tissues need to have elasticity, which is, in part, furnished by having a certain fluid level. In other words, they need to be hydrated. If you were an athlete or dancer and attempted your workout or performance without preparing your muscles, you would overexert your body and suffer the consequences.
Gentle stretching of the muscles increases the fluid, blood and oxygen into the muscles. Once stretched, the muscles are awake and ready to "deliver the goods" without stress or tension. Just as an athlete would not expect to perform without a warm-up, neither should you. It is so much easier to sing after a correct warm-up. If you've never experienced this, you'll be surprised once you try it. As well, tonal qualities automatically get better, as does ease of range.
The reason: Your muscles are awake and better able to do what they're designed to do, naturally. Of course, it is helpful to know what to do. Singing songs does not properly warm-up your voice! You need a program of correct warm-ups and you'll find it helpful to be coached through my "Vocal Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs" CD.
“Jeannie Deva is a total asset to anyone who is serious about their vocals. They should get involved with her right away – the sooner the better.” David Frangioni, Audio Specialist for [Aerosmith, Elton John, Bette Midler]
As the innovator of The Deva Method®, A Complete Vocal Technique for Stage and Studio, Jeannie Deva is the author of the internationally acclaimed “Contemporary Vocalist” Volumes I and II, “The Deva Method Vocal Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs” CD and she trains and certifies teachers in her method. She is the Celebrity Vocal Coach on the E! Entertainment TV Reality show “House of Carters” with Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys and his family. Ms. Deva is a member of TC-Helicon® Vocal Technologies Elite Voice Instructor Council. There is a growing network of Jeannie Deva® Voice Studios. Clients include Grammy Award Winners, American Idol contestants, Independent and Major Label recording artists. Ms Deva’s private studio is located in Los Angeles, California.
Read the second and third parts of this lesson as well as a wealth of other vocal information in our Members Only Archives by joining the Deva Club today!
| |
|
Description |
Price |
| 1. |
|
Deva Club
Item No. 25-9542868 |
$12.95
$19.95 |
|
|
|
|