Article #3
- FAQ – Can You Help Increase My Vocal RANGE??!
The question of increasing the vocal range seems to
apply equally to the upper and lower extremes of the
voice. Students and singers are always interested in
stretching their voice. The same advice applies to the
outer extremes of the voice, in both directions. First,
be sure you approach any note, high or low, without
tension or pressure. Whether high or low, over-involvement
of incorrect muscles literally chokes off the sound.
Relax, relax, relax and rely on your breath to carry
the sound. Actually roll your shoulders, head and neck
to release any tension inhibiting the sound.
Reaching for high notes will assure that they won't
be pl easant to hear. To increase your upper range,
begin by making sounds, not actuasinging, in the head-voice
area: sigh, make puppy dog noises, whee, and so on.
Then begin lip trills and tongue trills, or any sound
that allows you to access the upper voice without the
added thought process of pitch. After these exercises
feel easy begin to vocalize up by half steps, inching
your way up a little bit at a time. Remember, don't
editorialize! The tone and quality may not be up to
your vocal standards at first but continue to explore.
Stop when the voice tightens or is uncomfortable. Be
sure to slide the voice back down to midrange-never
leave the voice at the extreme edge of your range.
Relaxing into the low notes is the only way to get
there. Go for an open, relaxed throat and mouth. Think
higher as you descend. Stretch to these lower notes
using an "ng" sound or the reliable lip trill.
Don't push!! Be satisfied to elicit any tone. Use bright
vowel sounds and work your way down gradually. From
the proununciation guide to International Phoenetic
Alphabet, “eee” is the brightest sound and
“oh” is the darkest. Here are bright to
dark vowel sounds: “ we, sit, let, late, hat,
high, spot, love.” Dark to light sounds are –
“go, law, joy, now.” Slide the voice back
up to mid range when you are finished with the lower
range vocalizing. Test yourself to see if you can make
a lower sound the next time you vocalize. Remember,
it is a slow process to increase the vocal range. Rome
wasn't built in a day, and neither was a well trained
voice.
Remember:
1. Do a short relaxation exercise before you work the
extremes of range.
2. Engage the breathing mechanism not articulators.
3. Don't expect miracles over night.
4. Be patient and persistent.
By:
Darlene Rogers
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