Color is the Key :)

The tone of one’s voice is the texture, feeling, and color of one’s voice.  Different songs and different types of music require a different tone.  The shape of one’s mouth, posture, and breath support determine one’s tone.  Everyone likes different tones, and your goal is for you to like your tone, as well as other people :)

            What I sing for my voice lessons is either classical or musical theater.  They both usually have different tones and slightly different technique.  Both are super fun to learn and work on!

            Singing classical music tends to call for a bit more technique than musical theater.  For classical music, my voice teacher described a dark purple tone to be the kind of tone you want.  Keeping your head straight, keeping sides of mouth in to create tall space, and having good feeling of your notes is what one needs to do to create a rich, dark purple tone.  Also, vibrato is a higher-level skill to make a classical piece more beautiful and powerful.  I also find that vibrato makes certain things easier while singing.  Having good breath support will help your vibrato ring and move.

            Singing musical theater is a blast!  Musical theater doesn’t call for vibrato and is usually really pure, but still powerful.  I would personally describe the tone of musical theater to be bright, light blue.  Technique and placement of notes is still important, but musical theater pieces aren’t as nit-picky with that little technical stuff like classical music.  None-the-less, being classically trained will improve your technique and knowledge in every type of singing.

            Both types of music are great to learn!  I’ve certainly had a blast with each one so far in my singing career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDriDYwFdh0

This youtube video is of a classical piece called "Weep You No More".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT9KSiVxYv4&feature=related

 This youtube video is of Chris Colfer and Lea Michele from Glee performing a musical theater song called "Defying Gravity".

If you listen to both types of music you will hear the different kind of tones they have!

What Size Shoe Do You Need???

The space you create in your mouth and cheeks is a huge deal with singing.  A different amount of space is required for different types of notes.  For example, size 7 feet can’t fit into a size 10 shoe.  Also, size 10 feet can’t fit into a size 7 shoe.  A foot needs the perfect amount of space in a shoe, and a note needs the perfect amount of space in a mouth to be its most beautiful.

            The higher you get in pitch, the more space in your mouth is needed.  A reason why one’s high notes may sound pushed, might be because they’re clenching their teeth.  Some people do this to try to just get the note out, but it does the exact opposite.  Clenching causes your mouth to not have enough space for that specific note.  An exercise you can do for this is to hold your finger in between your teeth to make sure they don’t touch each other.  If you feel pressure on your finger then that means you have something to work on!

            When you aren’t going high and staying in your middle and low range, space is still very important.  Always make sure you have a-fingers worth of space in your cheeks and in between your teeth.

            You can even be thinking about the space in your mouth before you start singing!  When you come in at the beginning of the song or at any entrances in the song, you want to make it as smooth as possible.  Having the fingers worth of space and breathing in the vowel you’re just about to sing causes the note to slide out of your mouth perfectly.  For example, one of the lines in my Italian song, that is also an entrance, is “non pianger piu”.  Before I would sing that phrase I would breathe in an “o” so my placement would already be there.

            It takes everyone many years to really find that perfect placement to their unique voice.  I’m still in the process of finding mine!

This picture shows an opera singer making amazing space in her mouth.  Her space is huge so I am just going to guess she is singing an awesome high note :)

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=space+of+mouth+when+singing+opera&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1230&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbnid=xubeH6n2xE90QM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mariasbookshop.com/25-things&docid=Tf46-KU9vyxsFM&imgurl=http://www.inspirationriga.com/uploads/filedir/Image/Latvian_opera_singer_Elina_Garanca_Photo_Aivars_Liepins_Diena.JPG&w=2464&h=1648&ei=gMu5TuvTBpKBsgL1u6WyCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=916&vpy=307&dur=396&hovh=184&hovw=275&tx=155&ty=85&sig=107730238063117681947&page=4&tbnh=121&tbnw=162&start=60&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:20,s:60 

Add Some Sparkle :)

            Expression is the sparkle to a performance.  Expression is what tells the story of a song.  A lot of you reading this may think expression while singing is easy, but it’s not!  You have to do it certain ways and make sure it isn’t getting in the way with technique.

            The way one must show emotion is through one’s eyes and voice.  NOT HEAD.  The first time I tried to put expression into a song it did not go well.  The first thing I did was use hand motions and movements with my head.  This got in the way of staying centered.  Putting dynamics into your voice is a great way to show emotion.  Also, movements with your eyes, at times or purpose, is great.

            Doing these appropriate expressions takes practice.  A fabulous way to practice expression is to watch your self in a mirror.  Sometimes what you feel like you’re doing isn’t actually what you’re doing.  Watching your self in a mirror will allow you to see exactly what you need to do more of, or what you should minimize.

            For one to be able to stay in character, one must know what the song is about.  Doing research on your song will allow you to go more in depth with the story you’re trying to tell, or the character you are trying to be.  Also, one must stay in character THE WHOLE SONG!  This includes the piano introduction, piano parts in the middle, and waiting until the piano is done at the end.  Students tend to leave their character when they’re not actually singing.  This is something a lot of people should work on!

             If you want to go to the next level while performing, expression is definitely the way to go :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXOYcd6KZ0E&feature=related

This video is of Diana Damrau as Queen of the Night.  She is an AMAZING opera singer and shows unbelievable expression.

POSTURE! POSTURE! POSTURE!

Posture.  Posture.  Posture.  Nobody can ever be reminded of it too much!  The straightness of your body, neck, and head allows your air and sound to flow in a straight line.  Posture is also your first impression.  Your pianist knows you are ready to sing when you bring your head up and get into character.  This is the first thing your audience sees when you perform.

            The proper stance is very important.  One foot should be a little in front of the other and your back foot should be turned to the outside a little.  Your feet should be shoulder width apart.  The upper body is important too.  Position your feet, than raise your arms like a bird about parallel with the ground.  Once you do that, slowly put your arms to your sides but don’t move your shoulders.  This overall stance creates straightness in the body.

            Posture isn’t all about the body.  It’s about your neck and head too.  One time when I was singing my teacher kept telling me to keep my head straight and not let it come forward.  I thought my head was straight so I was getting so frustrated.  When I looked in the mirror, it for sure wasn’t.  Your head comes forward a little bit naturally, so when you think you are straight you aren’t.  Your head is straight when it feels like it’s being pushed backwards. 

            Another important part about posture is staying centered.  A lot of times, without realizing it, I find myself swaying back and forth, putting more weight on one foot, or tilt my head when I sing.  These adjustments cause one to not have a straight path.  Try to avoid those movements!

            Posture is the way you present yourself and shows the confidence you have!!!

This picture allows you to compare ways not to stand when you're singing, and the correct stance.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=posture+when+singing&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1230&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbnid=cdTgZtEJLIVtPM:&imgrefurl=http://www.justinmcroberts.com/blog/2008/11/&docid=o_mzVbaatqURkM&imgurl=http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/images/StandingPosture.jpg&w=365&h=328&ei=Nb25TpfKDYGOsALO8LTBCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=859&vpy=139&dur=10750&hovh=213&hovw=237&tx=131&ty=137&sig=107730238063117681947&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=147&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

It's All About FEELING.

            The most important part of singing is to know what it feels like.  To become consistent and to just know how to sing, you have to know what you are supposed to be feeling.  There are different feelings for different types of notes.  It’s so awesome when you finally memorize those feelings because then you become consistently good.  Also, you know that you are singing the right way :)

            When you sing in your high range you should feel it at the roof of your mouth.  Something you can do to mimic this feeling is by breathing through your nose.  You should feel a lifting sensation at the roof of your mouth when you do this.  By getting familiar with the feeling, you have a better chance of having the same one when you actually sing.

            When you sing in your middle range you should feel it in your cheekbones.  A way you can get familiar with this feeling is to visualize it or hum.  Humming will create a buzz in your cheekbones.  This will happen more consistently by PRACTICE :)

            When you sing in your low range you should feel it in your lips.  You will get this feeling in your lips when you just speak the pitch.  If you grab your lips, that’s where you should feel it.  This feeling will create those sexy, rich, chocolaty, low notes that everyone loves.

            Another feeling to be aware of in your mouth is your tongue.  You should feel the tip of it up against your bottom, front teeth.  It should be forward and flat mainly.

            It helped me so much to do these exercises.  They taught me to really know what I was supposed to be feeling.  The voice is amazing :)

This is Adam Lambert’s amazing technique.  Even though he may look a little weird, his tongue is forward and flat.  Perfect placement.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=adam+lambert+singing+high+note&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1230&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbnid=sxvitFkl2nvT8M:&imgrefurl=http://connect.in.com/adam-lambert-kissing/photos-big-blog-adam-lambert-f59e44349cbfc9ac.html&docid=cHtPs9SuneF3hM&imgurl=http://www.fancast.com/blogs/files/2009/03/big-blog-adam-lambert.jpg&w=524&h=336&ei=rre5TvaNEcLCsQLgsb2yCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=317&sig=107730238063117681947&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=181&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=61&ty=83

Wait... High Notes Aren't High!!!

Usually the notes that people are impressed with are those super crazy, high notes!  Most people just think, well either they can hit that single note or they can’t.  There is so much more to it!  The situation of the high note, what surrounds it, and what vowel it’s on has everything to do with how one has to prepare.

            Most people think your vocal chords are vertical, but they are really horizontal.  Different pitches are created just by how fast your vocal chords are moving.  This movement is created by your breath support.  Because of this very common thought, the typical person would think of high notes being “up” in the vertical sense, when really high notes are just more out in front of you (horizontal).

            “Singing forward” takes some getting used to; for me it creates a much fuller tone.  A few exercises one can do is extend your arm and point straight out in front of you.  This motion will create a picture that you’re singing to a certain distance.  Also, whenever you are practicing singing a high note, throw something in front of you and sing to its motion.

            When I first started singing I would get terrified of high notes and my teacher told me I looked scared when I was about to sing them.  She told me to be free and think of something I really enjoy while singing that note.  I thought of the beach!  This helped me to stop thinking so much.

            Another important thing to singing high notes is the note right before it.  Starting the technique on the note before makes sliding or jumping to the high note so much easier.

            I would strongly recommend playing with your voice and doing these fun exercises!

         
                     This picture shows how the vocal chords are horizontal and not vertical.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=vocal+chords+place+in+mouth&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1230&bih=622&tbm=isch&tbnid=dTAkfIvk7no10M:&imgrefurl=http://www.3rdvoice.com/blog/how-to-sing-without-strained-vocal-cords&docid=XXruCMbzePwMfM&imgurl=http://www.3rdvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/c7_larynx.jpg&w=400&h=280&ei=KKy5TuqXKIH4sQL9r7TgCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=94&vpy=293&dur=362&hovh=188&hovw=268&tx=154&ty=84&sig=107730238063117681947&page=1&tbnh=126&tbnw=176&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

Did I Mention... Legato?

            Another big challenge for singers is to sing legato and smooth.  Everyone hears himself or herself differently than other people do.  How you feel and what you hear when you sing might seem legato to you, but a lot of the time isn’t to other people.  You almost have to be obnoxiously legato, and then it will sound flowy and beautiful to other people.  This is a difficult thing for all levels of singers to accomplish.  I know I will always continue to work really hard on this.

            One exercise you can do to help force yourself to sing legato is to act like you have a “nova cane mouth”.  When nova cane is put into something, it becomes numb and is really loosy goosy since you can’t feel it.  Making your mouth completely loose will create a free and effortless sound.  That feeling will become more and more consistent as you practice.

            A second fabulous exercise is to only sing the vowels of the words in your song.  Saying certain consonants cause your tongue to block your air sometimes, and ruins the lovely phrases.  Practicing singing just the vowels will help you sing smoother phrases when you eventually sing the real words.

            A third exercise to help you sing legato is to pretend you’re playing a violin.  As you watch your hand move the “bow” back and forth across the “strings”, your voice will mimic the flowing movement of your hand.  This causes you to sing more beautiful and is also really entertaining and fun to do.

            The last exercise you can do while practicing is to record yourself singing.  Like I said before, what you hear when you sing is sometimes a lot different than what other people hear.  Listen to your recording.  If you hear choppiness in your phrasing, go back and try to smooth them out.  Keep recording yourself until you are satisfied with your improvements.  Memorize the feeling you had when singing your last recording.

These are very useful exercises that truly do help you improve a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ_jwdqE2M0

In this youtube video Renee Fleming talks about legato singing.  I would highly encourage you to watch it!