Chesty mixed voice? Powerful upper mixed voice? (feat. Wintertide)

Summary

In this informative video, singer and progressive rock artist Leo Maya discusses the concept of 'chesty mix' in singing, explaining its true meaning as a blend between chest and head voice, particularly in the upper range. He argues against the common misconception that adding chest voice to the upper range is beneficial, as it can lead to straining and yelling. Instead, he suggests focusing on proper vowel shaping, vocal tract space, and airflow to achieve a powerful and rounded head voice. Leo illustrates his points with examples from his own singing and emphasizes the importance of embracing the natural sound of the head voice in context with a band mix.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Leo Maya is a singer and progressive rock artist who shares singing techniques on his channel.
• 🗣️ The term 'chesty mix' refers to a mixed voice that is closer to chest voice than head voice, particularly in the upper range.
• 🚫 Leo Maya believes the mindset of pursuing a chesty mix can be harmful for vocal development.
• 🔁 The natural vocal transition from chest to head voice involves starting with chesty mix, then balanced mix, and finally head mix.
• 📢 People often use 'chesty mix' to describe a desire for a beefier sound in the upper range, which can lead to straining and yelling.
• 🎶 The context of a song, including instruments and mix, can make a head voice sound like a chesty mix even if it's not.
• 👂 Leo Maya demonstrates how a head voice can sound powerful in the mix of a song, even without a chesty mix.
• 🔊 The key to developing a fuller sound in the upper range is to focus on head voice and vowel shaping, not adding more chest voice.
• 📌 Leo emphasizes the importance of embracing the natural sound of the head voice and learning to shape it properly.
• 🔧 Techniques such as proper airflow, soft palate raising, and vowel modification can help achieve a more powerful sound without straining.
• 🚫 Leo advises against the misconception of trying to bring chest voice higher, which can hinder vocal development and performance.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed by Leo Maya in the video?

The main topic discussed by Leo Maya in the video is the concept of 'chesty mix' in singing and why he believes the term can be misleading and harmful for singers.

What does Leo Maya believe about the term 'chesty mix'?

Leo Maya believes that the term 'chesty mix' can be misleading as it implies adding more chest voice to the upper range, which is not what it actually means and can lead to straining the voice.

What is the definition of 'mixed voice' according to the script?

According to the script, 'mixed voice' is the area between the head voice and chest voice where the two are blended together, typically occurring during the natural transition from chest to head voice as one ascends in pitch.

What is the typical progression of voice types when ascending in pitch?

The typical progression of voice types when ascending in pitch starts with the chesty mix, then moves to a balanced mix, followed by a heady mix, and finally to the head voice.

Why does Leo Maya think the pursuit of a chesty mix can be counterproductive?

Leo Maya thinks the pursuit of a chesty mix can be counterproductive because it leads singers to add more chest voice to their upper range, which can result in yelling and straining, rather than achieving a balanced and powerful sound.

What is the context Leo Maya refers to when discussing how the voice sounds in a band setting?

The context Leo Maya refers to is the environment of a rock or metal band with guitars, bass, keyboards, and drums, which take up a lot of frequencies in the mix, leaving the mid-range to upper mid-range for the voice.

What does Leo Maya suggest singers do instead of pursuing a chesty mix?

Instead of pursuing a chesty mix, Leo Maya suggests singers focus on shaping their vowels, vocal tract, and airflow to create a rounder, more powerful sound in their head voice and mixed voice.

What is the song 'Winter Tide' by Jeff Black that Leo Maya uses as an example?

'Winter Tide' is a power metal song by Jeff Black that features Leo Maya's vocals, which he uses to demonstrate how his head voice and head dominant mix sound in the context of a full band mix.

How does Leo Maya describe the sound of his head voice in the song 'Winter Tide'?

Leo Maya describes the sound of his head voice in 'Winter Tide' as not being a chesty mix but rather a head dominant mix that, when put in context with the full band mix, sounds powerful and full.

What advice does Leo Maya give regarding the development of one's singing voice?

Leo Maya advises singers to be okay with sounding thin out of context, to embrace and learn how to shape their head voice, and to focus on proper technique rather than trying to force chest voice into their upper range.

What are some factors Leo Maya suggests singers consider to improve their head voice?

Leo Maya suggests considering factors such as vowel shaping, vocal tract space, throat space, proper airflow, avoiding yelling, managing compression, and raising the soft palate to improve the sound of the head voice.