Improve your vocal tone — Singing Demystified

Summary

In 'Singing, Demystified,' Cornelius from Voice Studio East dispels the myth of innate vocal tone, outlining a three-step approach to vocal improvement. First, strip away bad habits for a blank slate; then, strengthen the voice for richness and brilliance. Lastly, develop musicality through expression and phrasing. Techniques include speaking on pitch, twang exercises, and focusing on dynamics for a compelling performance, ultimately transforming a plain tone into a captivating instrument.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Vocal tone is not fixed; it can be improved through practice and technique.
• 📝 The three main steps to improving vocal tone are establishing a blank slate, strengthening the voice, and developing musicality.
• 💡 Singing as you speak helps to strip away personal technique problems and achieve a natural tone.
• 🔊 Strengthening the voice involves practicing legato, maintaining clarity, and increasing volume for richness and brilliance.
• 🗣️ Addressing common vocal issues like nasality, tension, and hypophonia is crucial for a better tone.
• 👄 Exercises like tongue protrusion and using plosives can help to eliminate nasality and improve tone clarity.
• 😁 Incorporating mirth, or joyful laughter, into singing can make the performance more animated and lively.
• 🎯 Focusing on a point while singing can help maintain vocal clarity and direction throughout a phrase.
• 💪 Conviction in singing means going for it with confidence and assertiveness, which can enhance the performance.
• 🎭 Developing musicality involves adding drama and dynamics to shape musical phrases and make singing more engaging.
• 🔄 A mature singing technique is essential, even for those who prefer high-pitched pop songs, as it provides a strong technical foundation.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about vocal tone among aspiring singers?

The common misconception is that vocal tone is innate and unchangeable, with some people being naturally gifted with a brilliant tone and others being unlucky with a plain one.

What are the three steps to improving vocal tone as outlined in the script?

The three steps are: 1) Establish a blank slate by removing personal technique problems that affect tone, 2) Strengthen the voice to make the tone richer, and 3) Develop musicality to make performances compelling.

Why is it suggested to sing as you speak when trying to establish a blank slate for vocal tone?

Singing as you speak helps to strip away the unnatural singing voice and allows the singer to access their normal speaking voice, which is a more direct and simple quality.

What is the purpose of speaking the lyrics out loud without melody at first?

Speaking the lyrics out loud helps to make the singing process seem more like speech, which can help the singer access their natural speaking voice and avoid technical issues that may affect tone.

How can one address a nasal sound in their singing voice?

To address nasality, one can pinch their nose for kinesthetic feedback and practice speaking phrases without nasal consonants, ensuring the sound does not enter the nasal cavity.

What is a simple exercise to help remove nasality from the singing voice?

One can try humming with the tongue sticking out and then slowly retracting it to an NG position, aiming to maintain a buzzing quality while transitioning to a vowel sound.

How can a tense voice be addressed in the process of improving vocal tone?

A tense voice can be addressed by ensuring proper breath support, practicing relaxed slow breathing, and gradually decreasing the volume of the speaking voice to relieve tension.

What is the purpose of practicing speaking with a loud, bright twangy sound?

Practicing with a loud, bright twangy sound helps to open up the mouth and throat, counteracting a quiet, husky, or dull voice, and promoting a more vibrant tone.

What is the significance of maintaining a clear tone until the end of each phrase when singing legato?

Maintaining a clear tone until the end of each phrase helps to grow the voice and adds richness and continuity to the singing, preventing the tone from trailing off into a mumble.

How can increasing the volume of the voice contribute to a richer tone with more brilliance?

Increasing the volume helps to bring out the high treble frequencies, which contribute to the brilliance of the tone, making the voice pop and stand out more to the listeners.

What is the role of 'mirth' in the context of singing as described in the script?

Mirth, associated with laughter, is used to brighten up the face and singing instantly, making it more animated and lively, which is particularly useful for joyous songs.

What is the importance of 'focus' when singing a musical phrase?

Focus helps to keep the gaze and voice directed, preventing the eyes from wandering aimlessly and ensuring the voice remains clear and insistent throughout the phrase.

What does the script suggest as a method to strengthen the tone and make it richer?

The script suggests a three-part cue consisting of mirth, focus, and conviction, which helps to add assertiveness and a sense of going all out in the singing performance.

How can a singer develop musicality in their performance according to the script?

Developing musicality involves being highly animated, adding drama to phrasing, and manipulating dynamics, emphasis, and articulation to shape a musical phrase effectively.

What is the script's stance on following current music fashions in singing?

The script advises against strictly following current music fashions, emphasizing the importance of developing a strong technical foundation and a mature sound that can adapt to changing tastes over time.