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Vocal Point
Soaring high notes
Jul-17-2001
©2001 iBluegrass.com. All rights reserved.
Soaring high notes, as well as passionate and energize volume, are two characteristics that lend to the soulfulness of the Bluegrass vocal sound. This month I want to pass along a tip that will add some ease to the challenge of creating those high and louder tones, and hopefully get you out of some vocal 'tightspots.'
Have you ever noticed that you can sometimes sing a high note with little trouble, yet at another point in the song, or in a different song have to struggle...or are just plainunable to hit the very same note? There are several possible reasons for this, but one of the most common reasons, and the one we're going to focus on today has to dowith vowels...three little vowel sounds in particular.
Here is the troublesome trio:
ee (as in tree)
ih (as in his), and
oo (as in you)
Let's explore why they're troublesome. First relax your jaw (as it should be when singing). Now easily sing each one of the above vowel sounds on a comfortable noteand notice how in each case your jaw tends to close and slightly lock, and that your throat closes. To hit high tones...and loud tones...your jaw has to be slightly dropped(dropped because it's relaxed, not held open), and your throat should be open. You need plenty of open, resonating throat space.
Here's the method:
The 'ee' sound: This sound is created by the tongue. The sides of the middle of the tongue should lightly touch the upper molars. As in all the vowel sounds, your tongueshould be relaxed and low in your mouth, and the tip of your tongue should easily rest behind your lower teeth. Now relax your tongue as if you're saying 'ih' and relaxand open your jaw a little more. Notice how your throat is now supple and open and that you're producing a more open, freely resonating sound. Be sure to keep the 'ee'sound as true as possible. This technique applies to louder tones throughout your range (low tones as well).
The 'oo' sound: The 'oo' sound is formed by the lips. The lips move forward and are rounded while the tongue should remain relaxed and low in the mouth. Note...yourjaw should be more 'relaxed/open' when you sing an 'oo' tone than when you speak it. Even though your jaw is open a little more, try to keep as true of an 'oo' sound asyou can (keep your lips rounded). This may feel a little awkward at first, but not for long, especially when you experience the results.
The 'ih' sound: A good way to open the 'ih' sound is to go from the above 'oo' shape directly to the 'ih,' keeping your tongue in the same low, relaxed position and yourthroat (soft palate) in the same open (make sure it's still supple) position.
To practice these tones pick a note in a comfortable range and sing:
ahhhh......eeeeeee
ahhhh......ooooooo
ahhhh......ih
Make sure that as you go from the 'ah' to the following tones you create one seamless, 'stretchy' feeling tone. Sing it a couple of times and then try it a half step higheron the scale, and so forth. Work with one tone at a time. Stop and go back to a lower note if you feel tightness or uncomfortability. Note...make sure you have a slightlyopen throated, slightly yawn-like (just slight! Keep it natural sounding) feeling at the onset of the 'ah.' If the 'ah' isn't open then what follows will not be either.
If you practice these vowel sounds using the methods above it won't be long before they'll become natural to you...and don't be surprised if you find yourself producingvolume and high notes with greater ease, resonance and consistency.
That's it for this month. I enjoy hearing from you and encourage your questions, thoughts etc. Good luck and have a very musical month!
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