Proper vocal technique is important for all aspiring and professional singers. You are
probably thinking “there is a wrong way to sing?” The answer is simple, yes there is. When a performer does not know how to sing the right way, they can really damage their voice so that they never sing again. If singing incorrectly, a singer is increasing the chances that he/she will get one of the many diseases that singers can get. Nodes is one of the biggest ones and are caused by vocal overuse or vocal cord trauma and are callous-like growths that have developed in the midpoint of the vocal folds over time and when a singer uses their voice too much. Singing properly takes a lot of practice along with the proper knowledge of your body and personal limits. Step 1: Before Starting to Sing ● KNOW THE ANATOMY OF YOUR BODY AND THROAT; You need to know what part of your body you are using so you know how to use it properly. Your most important word to know about your throat is your larynx. Here are the steps to release the tension in your larynx: ○ Put your finger across your throat at the top of your “Adam's Apple” and swallow. ○ Notice the upward motion of the “Adam's Apple”. ○ Now, keeping your finger at the top of your “Adam's Apple” relax and begin a yawn. (It’s the feeling that occurs at the beginning of a yawn that releases tension in the throat. The full yawn brings tension). ○ Notice the downward motion of the “Adam's Apple.” This motion opens the throat and releases tension. ○ Yawn again at the back of your throat. Repeat a few times letting the throat muscles slip downward as you yawn. Then, repeat the yawn and exhale by sighing “ah” at a comfortable high note in your range that floats downward – sounding like a sigh. ● MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS STAY HYDRATED; Whenever you know that you are going to be singing, always bring a water bottle and make sure you have access to a place where you can fill it. If you try to sing for whole rehearsal without a water, your throat is going to become super dry. You will end up pushing the sound out of your mouth and using the improper breathing techniques because you are trying harder than you should be. ● ALWAYS STRETCH BEFORE SINGING; Stretching before singing helps you loosen up and relax your body so your singing is not tight and does not sound stressed. Even simple little stretches like bending to touch your toes or stretching your upper body to the right or left. Make sure, however, that you do not ever stretch your head up because that pulls your larynx in a bad way. ● MAINTAIN A STRONG SUPPORTED POSTURE; The correct way to stand is with your feet shoulder width apart with a slight bend of the knees (do not stand with your hips popped), arms by your side (not in your pockets) and a straight back (as if someone is pulling an imaginary string at the top of your head). When sitting in a chair, sit at the front of your chair (so your back is not touching the back of the seat) with the same straight back as when standing, and make sure if you are not holding music that your hands are rested nicely in your lap. Do not sit with one leg over the other, your feet must be planted firmly on the floor. If sitting do not slouch because that hurts the way you are breathing. You are crushing your diaphragm and your core is off balance and you need both to be engaged in order to sing properly. Step 2: Best and Worst Conditions for Singing ● GET ENOUGH SLEEP; When you are tired so is your voice. You also become unaware of things that you are doing wrong. Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep, especially on the night before a performance or big audition. A tired mind is a tired body. ● IF YOU ARE SICK, DO NOT SING; When you are sick, you do not want to go to school and get everyone around you sick too. When you are sick and try to sing, you are hurting your voice even more than it already hurt. Drink tea and take medicine and do not sing until you feel 100% better. ● DO NOT SMOKE ANYTHING; Everyone hears that smoking can ruin you and probably do not want to hear is from another person but for singing, it is a crucial rule to follow. Smoking ruins your lungs and your lungs are important to singing. If your lungs are damaged, your breathing is also damaged. ● IN COLD WEATHER: Wear scarves to protect your voice, drink warm drinks (like tea or hot chocolate), and central heating/air is not your friend. When your throat is too cold, you tense up. Think of when you get goosebumps. Your body is really tensing up to create more warmth. The same thing happens to your vocal chords. ● SINGING IN COLD WEATHER OUTSIDE: Warm up your voice and self before going outside, and make sure you cover your head and throat. Take more frequent, smaller breaths through nose and mouth rather than normal. Lastly, big, gasping breaths through the mouth will tend to chill the larynx. Having a cold larynx is not a good thing for any singer. ● IN WARM/HOT WEATHER: Don’t dry out your voice, drink lots of water, and optimal humidity is around 50% and below 45% becomes a problem. When your throat is too hot it loosens up to much. Make sure that if the humidity is too low, you use a humidifier to make your larynx normal. Step 3: Singing And Your Breathing ● ENGAGE CORE AND EXPAND RIB CAGE; When you stand up straight, you need to engage your core in order to keep from slouching. Slouching, as mentioned before, crushes your diaphragm which is one of the most important organs to a singer. When you breathe in before singing, you need to make sure that you are not breathing with your shoulders, but with your ribs. Put your hands just below the chest on your rib cage and try to breathe and feel the rib cage expand. When singing, you must make sure that the rib cage always stays expanded. When the rib cage is expanded, it makes it easier to hold out notes for longer periods of time. ● BREATHE THROUGH YOUR NOSE; When you breathe through your mouth, you are at a higher risk of getting a sore throat. The air going into your lungs could make your throat hurt. When you are singing, always breathe through your mouth, but when not singing, always breathe through the nose. ● WARM UP; Now that you know how to stand/sit, relax your body, and stay hydrated, it is time to start singing. The most fatal mistake that singers make is not warming up before a performance. When you do not warm up, you are risking your chance of ruining your voice. You may not be able to sing notes that before were easy because you did not practice them in warm ups. Proper vocal technique is the most important part of being a singer. Many singers do not realize how risky it is to not do these things. Singing properly takes a lot of practice along with the proper knowledge of your body and personal limits. Keep in mind all of this information when singing and try to notice the differences between proper and improper singing. By: Elise Lowe -- contributing writer Comments are closed.
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June 2019
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