Vocal Advice

I know I can sing, but I have breathing problems and problems following the notes, I’m into to singing big songs, I just want to learn how to do it right.

Answer: I love double-barreled questions! When you say “improve your range” I’m going to assume that you mean increase and expand to a larger range.

As a teenager - even in your late teens, your voice range is in the process of developing . . . and it takes some years for it to settle. Yes, with a good teacher and enough time you should see your range expand (“improve”). Daily practice and good habits will enable your voice to develop well. Your limited range will grow to something resembling two useful octaves … and maybe more.

(more…)

I’ve been identified by various people both ways.  I’m 19.

Answer:  An appropriate question!  There are several components to the answer, and these are directly related to the area of voice classification.  A couple of generalities can be made instantly.  Lyric baritones generally have a higher range than bass-baritones.  Lyric baritones have a higher tessitura than bass-baritones. The timbre of lyric baritones also tends to be lighter and brighter than bass-baritones.

A developed lyric baritone is comfortable between the A above middle C and down two octaves.  This would be his normal, usual and useful solo-singing range.  He may be able to vocalize to a B-flat or B-natural (on the high side), or descend to A-flat or G (below his lowest useful note) but sounds weak down there.  He may perhaps access even lower notes with the use of the fry register [I know the baritone who posed this question].  However, for all normal solo singing, one considers full-cord action as the only proper means of phonation.  A lyric baritone often finds himself singing around middle C - on both sides with complete comfort and ease.  It is not unusual for a lyric baritone to be called on to sing Tenor 2 in choral situations.  This happens, in part, because, beside the range capabilty, the timbre of his voice is similar to that of tenor choral singers.

A bass-baritone’s comfortable solo-singing range is somewhat lower than the lyric baritone, F to F, about a third lower than the lyric baritone.  Bass-baritone is also a more general designation of voice classification than “lyric” baritone because it does not indicate the “quality” or “timbre” of the voice.  Again, the bass-baritone may be able to vocalize higher than the useful F, and vocalize a third or fourth lower than his useful low F, but without much power on the low end.  The bass-baritone’s tessitura - the area of the range in which he is most comfortable - will often be well below middle C - approximately the A-to-A octave that marks the lower half of the lyric baritone’s useful range.
(more…)

Answer: You have the right idea.

You are right to say that we exhale through the mouth when singing (with the exceptions of the nasal consonants M, N, and NG when air necessarily passes solely through the nose).  If singing in French or Portugese there will be some nasalized vowels that require the nasal port to be open and thus some air passes through both mouth and nose.  But generally as a rule air passing through the vocal cords for singing is released through the mouth.
(more…)

Or do singers have to work for it and practice?  Or is it both?  Just curious, I don’t sing, just a random question I thought of.

Answer: Good question!

The greatest singers were and are all gifted to begin with.  Those who “naturally have a good singing voice” sound appealing, find it easy to sing and enjoy it immensely.  When such singers then go on to study voice and become accomplished musicians as well - those few can make a career and a living from their singing.  I’m speaking from the point of view of classical training.  It’s hard work, but rewarding.   (It seems most anyone who has the hutspa to record themselves and post a video on YouTube has a fair shot at becoming wildly popular.  But that is not necessarily equivalent to having a good singing voice!)
(more…)

I’d like to hear answers from those who either sing and or teach professionally.  I’m looking for detailed answers. I was branded an alto for numerous years, while a part of school choruses (way back when).  I’ve taken private lessons in the past, with different teachers, and right way was branded a soprano.  Many years later, I’m picking up lessons again! But I’m confused.  Now I understand the voice changes over time and that it matures gradually.  One teacher even stated, that the voice doesn’t fully mature until you’re like 40/50.  During one period you could be one thing and the next period progress to another, but that’s if you’re constantly developing your voice (well that was my thought).  I can’t say that I was developing my voice (formally at least) during the time gap, so why the difference of opinion on my voice?  Could this mean I’m a mezzo-soprano?  Or could my voice progress to be one?  I just wanted to hear some thoughts on the matter.

Answer: Well there’s a lot written on this subject and this space undoubtedly won’t cover it exhaustively. But hopefully a combination of teachers you poll will help you. I’ll try and be as succinct as possible.

Determining voice classification presents an interesting paradox; it is one of the most important decisions teachers and students have to make, yet many teachers and students are too concerned about it. Here are several criteria: 1) range, 2) tessitura, 3) timbre, and 4) transition points.
(more…)

I am incredibly into musical theatre and intent to pursue it as a profession.  I also cox for my school rowing club - this involves a large amount of shouting (about 4 hours spread over 3 alternate days).  Will this damage my singing in the long term?

Thank you,

Answer: Hello Sam,

I think you hit upon the key when you used the term “excessive.”

Shouting can take on one of two aspects: 1) very loud speech, in which your jaw and throat are loose and open and your sound is clear, resonant and unforced, and, 2) production of distorted sound, yelling, screaming, in which there is abandonment to feelings of excitement, fury or whatever (e.g., at a basketball game or swimming race) which quickly results in pain in the throat and temporary hoarseness or even loss of voice.

The second is damaging, and the pain and hoarseness are your body’s red flags that this is not good for you.  Any continued or repeated use of the voice in this way will indeed produce lasting damage to the voice - at a fairly rapid rate.
(more…)

Is it possible for everybody to be able to have a nice singing voice?  I feel like my voice is that nice, but I want to make it soothing like ‘hello-goodbye’ or something like that.  So is it possible for all people to have a nice voice?  What would you suggest?   Should I take voice lessons or what?

Answer: Hi Jim (not his real name),

I don’t think I’ll be saying anything original.

Most anyone who has the desire and the perseverance to receive coaching from a competent voice teacher can improve their voice, improve their sound, improve the degree of flexibility the voice has, improve the voice’s expressive qualities and its range.  To become a good singer, one also has to have a “good ear.”  This means that you find it easy to sing in tune when you sing a melody, and also possess some innate musical sense.
(more…)

I’m not doing this intentionally, but when I relax my tongue and round out my vowels I seemingly age my voice 25 years.  So, when I perform I take steps to lighten my voice, and that I have to do intentionally.  Is it possible for a young female singer to have a naturally matronly voice?  What should I be doing differently?

Answer: The fact that you’ve captured the feeling of a relaxed tongue and jaw while a teenager is a MAJOR PLUS!  Most college voice majors are having to learn this from scratch and make it a habit for life.   You’ve gotten a head start.  Brava!

What you’ve described is the concept of the “open throat”.  It naturally warms, enriches and amplifies the sound.  This is good.  Don’t try to undo it.  Just be careful to not fall into anything that is tension-filled.  A large “mature-sounding” voice is to be cherished.  Make the most of it.
(more…)

I’ve been singing for years.  I have a very very low voice, so I mostly sing jazz.  But I find it hard to reach very easy high notes!  Are there ANY tricks or tips to make me sing higher and better?!

Answer: Sing every day.  You will lose what you have if you don’t use it regularly.

Allow yourself time to warm up vocally before you get into song literature. These warm ups should begin small and comfortably low and gradually work upwards and expand in range.  Also, implement the principle that the higher the note, the more space (in the mouth and throat), the more energy (in the body and support system) and the more feeling of depth (vowels have) should take place.  If you are not incrementally adding space and energy as pitch rises then start making that a regular part of your singing - watching yourself in the mirror.
(more…)

I’m 57 and have a nice voice, though some say it’s great.    I want to sing with more power and a better range.    Am I too old?

Answer: If you have never studied voice before and you are committed to practicing daily, there is the distinct possibility that you can maximize the current remaining potential of your voice to facilitate both range and strength.

Had you studied voice during your late teens, twenties and thirties you’d have given your voice its best chance at developing both range and power to their maximum - for your individual voice.  It’s during those years that the voice is developing physically the most.
(more…)