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Vocal Point
Discussing the nature of resonance
Apr-08-2001
©2001 iBluegrass.com. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the April issue of Vocal Point of View.
I recently received an email that went something like this: 'I'm a bluegrass
and country singer and I need more resonance. It seems I have plenty, but only if I drink either coffee or alcohol, and I don't care to do that, as it's even
worse when it wears off. Is there anything else I can do?'
To answer that question we're going to talk a little about the nature of resonance...but the short answer to the question is 'yes.'
First things first--- both alcohol and caffeine have a drying effect on the vocal folds (cords) and actually subdue vocal resonance. On the other hand, there are sensations that can be mistaken for resonance. Let's find out what the right sensations are and how to enhance them.
Like any wind instrument the voice depends on breath to produce tone. We experience a resonant tone when we learn how to use the breath in the right way, and learn how and where to focus (place) it. Wherever you are on your path as a singer here are some thoughts to bear in mind about resonance:
First of all, air passes through the vocal cords causing them to vibrate. This same stream of air carries the vibration up through the throat and into the head cavities. The hard bones of the head, especially in the front of the head, provide necessary resonant surfaces. Picture a 'vibration filled' stream of air filling in all the resonating crevices and cavities in the front of the head, particularly the sinus, nasal and eye cavities. This area is where vibration intensifies, whipping up richer tones with greater carrying power. This frontal placement (in the front and away from the throat) is very important in Bluegrass style singing in terms of safely projecting and tackling some of those soaring high notes.
Tips on gaining a more resonant vocal sound:
-- Release tension:
Tension kills vibration. Release all tension in your chest, shoulders (stand loosely but upright), neck, throat, jaw (massage your jaw muscles...let your jaw 'go slack' and feel the tension drain away). Pay particular attention to relaxing the inside of your mouth including your tongue, soft palate, hard palate (roof of the mouth) and lips... even imagine that the inside of your cheeks are relaxed and released. Take the time to spot-check each area.
-- Open your throat:
This will open a channel for more resonant space, among other things. The best way to do this is to imagine how your throat naturally and loosely opens when you're drinking water.
-- Never 'push' your voice:
When you're 'pushing' your voice you're actually pushing air against the vocal cords in a way that kills vibration and resonance. You'll always get more sound if you ease into a tone.
-- The jaw and throat again:
The jaw and throat have nothing to do with producing sound! The throat is no more than a passageway for the stream of air.
-- A projected voice:
Imagine your voice focusing out into the front of your face (away from the throat!) and above the upper jaw. It may surprise you to know that when you're projecting well it's likely that you'll hear less sound in your head. The sound has released and moved outward. At some point you may even have the sensation that your voice is detached from your body. This is perhaps the ultimate experience in vocal strength and freedom.
Here is an exercise in resonance that can be very effective:
Lightly place your fingertips flat against your face on either side of your nose. Hum a little bit on an 'mmmm' sound (tip of tongue touching the point where the upper teeth and gums meet) until you feel lively vibration in the front of your face under your fingers. Now, making sure this vibration is consistent, find a note that's slightly above your middle range and slide downward (like a sigh) on the hum until you find a place in your register (on the front of the face), where the vibration seems the most focused or intense. You may need to try it several times. We'll call this your resonance 'sweet spot.'
It is the nature of vibration to want to multiply. Now that you've found the sweet spot, feel the vibrations in your mouth, nasal cavity and on your lips.
Cooperate with this sensation and let the vibration multiply. Become familiar with the feeling and hum a few notes above and below the sweet spot without losing the intensity of the vibration.
Go from a hum to a spoken word without losing the vibrations (more or less humming into the word).
Go from the hum to the word 'now' sung at a comfortable point in your register. Again, don't lose any of the vibration you feel in your mouth, on your face or on your lips. When you feel ready, sing a short phrase, and that's it. Take your time with this exercise so you may truly reap the benefits of it, and good luck.
Thanks, as always for your interest, and keep those questions coming. See you next month!
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