The object is to loosen up, i.e.,warm up your vocal chords so they will be toned and flexible. This is important (vocal warm-ups will be covered in a future article).

Now, Singthe song a capella for awhile. Note the key that your voice naturally gravitates to. Put the song away. Come back later and sing it a capella once again. Note the key.Do this another time or two throughout the day and you'll notice a pattern emerging. Your voice will pretty much settle on the key that's natural for you.

Now find the highest and lowest notes in the song. Sing the phrase containing the highest note several times (only after vocal warm up!). If you're straining bring it down a half step and try again. Keep doing this until you feel maximum power without strain. Now check the low note. Too low? See if you can find a compromise. If you can't get the lowest note to ring out and still be able to sing the high note without a lot of strain, you have several choices. First, try this technique :sing the low note easily and look for vibration above the upper jaw and along the ridge of your nose. This usually gives you at least an additional half step. Secondly, you could consider choosing a different note on the low end (if that's acceptable to you) that's slightly higher and works aesthetically and melodically .Lastly, you can drop the song (a potentially drastic move) and find one that is a better vehicle for your vocal strengths.

Now that you have the key for the song, er---or do you? Ah yes, there is one more factor to be considered, and considered only after the former steps for establishing the key are taken. I'm talking aboutthe "adrenaline," or "stage energy" factor. This shouldbe figured in If you're singing the song for anyone, whether it be on stage or in the living room for relatives. By this I mean that almost without exception you'll want to pitch a song a half step higher than where it's comfortable when learning it at home. If you don't you'll ultimately find that the song is pitched a little too low to project or to experience that important sense of "physical connection."

One last point on finding the right key for a song. As you listen to an original recordingsung by one of your favorite Bluegrass singers, remember thatthe key was most likely established by the singer. The size and shape of our vocal folds are as variedas the size and shape of our bodies. You may end up singing the song in the same key as the original version, but there's a good chance you won't. It's better by far to sing a song in the key that most greatly facilitates your range. The fact is, a struggling, straining lead vocal disempowers a song in a fundamental way.It will never really fly, so to speak, no matter how much the accompanying instruments are resonating. What's most important is pitching a song at the threshold of ability. With this, all the power and excitement will most assuredly be there.

That's it for now, and thanks for tuning in.Next month we'll finish up our discussion on selecting the right right key for a song with a focus on tips and techniques that address range constricting vocal habits. Until then, I hope you have a great January. If the winter blues try to sneak up on you, go for the universal cure - sing something, and fast, or, sing some "fast 'grass." It'll work either way!