Vocalist.org archive


From:  Gina <classicalsinger@e...>
Gina <classicalsinger@e...>
Date:  Fri Jan 12, 2001  4:40 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] Various technical questions...


> On the
> >one hand I got my high notes relatively early

How high do you sing? How young did you get your high notes? Do you
have a teacher currently?

>
> >I'm glad you mentioned that your vibrato slows when the mouth is too
> >open...I have been noticing that myself lately. Does anybody else's
> >voice here respond that way? My mouth is smaller then 'average,' and
>
> >I've been thinking lately that maybe I've been coached into opening
> >it more than I should. Sound feasible?

I think if the _sound_ is too open that can lead to a slow vibrato.
Think of singing out in front of you into a point. There is a thread of
head voice that should be present in all the tones. I don't think you
want to work for big, fat, woofy sounds, but focused, resonant, compact,
efficient sounds. Do you do vocalises on the vowel /i/ (ee)?

Here's a checklist you can use on your own?
Does the slow vibrato issue occur on all vowels, or just select ones?
Does it happen on /i/ (sounds like the vowel in the word feet)? or just
on ah (as in the word father) or open vowels? Do you sing with good
posture, keeping the chest high even while singing, not letting it
collapse? Do you have tension somewhere that you are holding? Check
the jaw, neck, tongue, shoulders. The sound will feel like it is coming
freely and going up and over into the front of the face. On all vowels.

Work for freedom and release and staying resonant on all vowels and your
voice will start to emerge.
It's very important to "let" the vibrato happen and not "make" or
"assist" it in happening.
Try a descending 5 note major scale on the word "mah", very slowly and
let the vibrato happen. It will emerge, and probably be a descent rate
of speed. Then you can practice your songs on "mah" and allow the
vibrato to happen in songs, too.

>
> >
> >One final thing: could slight dehydration of the vocal folds or other
>
> >health issues contribute to a slow vibrato and lack of dynamic
> >control?

That seems to be more of a technical issue than a dehydration issue,
though it could come into play. Drink one half your body weight in
ounces of water per day. If you weigh 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces per
day.

Also, what if any technical problems does acid reflux cause?

See a doctor if you think you have reflux problems because that can be
bad in the long run. There is medication for it. It would be obvious
in the morning: Bad taste in mouth, hoarseness, range problems. Prop up
the head of your bed so you have a slight incline.

Let me know if any of this helps :-) :-)

Gina




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