Tuesday, November 8, 2011

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

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