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To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Date sent: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 19:44:12 -0000
Subject: Re: TECHNIQUE: singing "ah"
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

> My "E" is very good, so I have the right starting place. The
> rest of the vowels are ok, but "ah" is killing me.

Hello

I have not had many lessons at all, so I doubt that I can offer much
real advice, but my singing teacher does seem to be very
experienced in the area of traditional singing techniques, so I will try
to relate what I have learned ahh-wise.......

I remember clearly how he taught me to get my "ah" right. He got
me to sing the word SIENNA. What he wanted me to feel was not
my jaw dropping on the A, but the roof of my mouth 'bouncing' up
from the N. When you sing vowels such as "EEH", the soft palate
raises much more naturally, so it is easier to sing than an "AH"
sound. If you can get used to singing SIENNA up and down the
scale and use the bounce in your mouth to help your palate raise
rather than dropping your jaw, then you might begin to feel the right
sensation that you need for a clean "AHH" sound.

Good luck, and happy ahhhhing.

John