Teaching Contemporary Singing

voice teaching; singing; music

What does ACV stand for?

Airflow; (vocal) Cords; Vowel resonance

What are the activators?

The activators are your lungs, vocal cords, glotis, and pharynxthat work together to produce sound.

What are the resonators?

The resonators are the oral cavity (space inside mouth), nasal cavity (space behind head), and head and chest that amplify and modify sound produced by the vocal cords.

What are the articulators?

The articulators are the teeth, lips, tongue, and hard and soft palates that shape and modify vocal sounds.

What happens when you inhale?

the lungs expand and air is drawn in through the nose or mouth.

What happens when you exhale?

The air blows over the vocal cords.

What does diaphragmatic singing do?

It gives power to sound by engaging the diaphragm, allowing for better breath control and support.

What is the difference between the female and male larynx?

The female larynx is generally smaller and has a higher pitch, while the male larynx is larger with a lower pitch; it’s why their voices carry sound farther.

What does the larynx house?

The vocal cords; it is where the adam’s apple lives and the muscles that control pitch.

What is the difference between a high and low larynx?

A high larynx is positioned closer to the vocal cords, contributing to a brighter, lighter sound, while a low larynx is positioned further down, resulting in a deeper, richer tone.

What causes vocal cracks?

Vocal cracks cause a disconnection in vocal folds which is caused by weakness, tongue tension, jaw tension, or overlifting soft palate.

What are the 3 main elements of registration?

Physiological (muscles & vocal folds); the acoustic (sound waves & resonators); and the sensations experienced by the singer.

What happens when people switch registers?

Switching registers is a combo of a change in the dominant muscles of the vocal folds and their pattern of vibrations as well as differences of resonances.

What is the vocal point of transition in a man’s voice?

The break or passagio in an adult male voice is E4.

What is the point of vocal transition in a woman’s voice?

The breaking point or passagio in an adult female voice is an A4.

What takes place in the vocal folds when they transition from chest to head voice?

The vocal folds go from short and fat in chest voice to long and thin in head voice.

What is the difference between the throat and mouth resonators?

The throat resonator tends to resonate with lower parts of the sound wave. The mouth resonates more like a tweeter; reinforcing higher frequencies/sound waves.

What are the 3 vocal registers?

Chest, Mix and Head voice.

What is the classical term for “Mix” singing?

The classical term is called the “passagio”.

What is the purpose of mix voice?

The purpose of mix voice is to blend the qualities of chest and head voice, allowing singers to achieve a balanced sound across their vocal range without straining.

What happens when singers sing out of range?

Singers may experience vocal strain, loss of control, and potential damage to their vocal cords, leading to a harsh or strained sound.

How does a singer produce a good mix sound?

For a good mix sound the throat provides a bit more energy to the mouth resonators. This is best achieved with vowel modification.

What are the registration points of the voice?

1. Vocal Fry - lowest part of range; sound devoid of pitch

2. Chest - where speaking voice is located

3. Upper Chest - still in chest but subtle resonance shift occurs

4. Lower mix- the initial transition area from chest to head; chest belt

5. Upper Mix - the highest belt

6. Head voice - the lightest and most airy register

7. super head - hooty feeling head voice

8. whistle register - extreme upper range

What are the adult male registers:

Chest - up to B-flat 3

Upper Chest: B3 to D4

Mix: E-flat 4 to A-flat 4

Head: A4 to D5

Whistle: E-flat 5 and above

What are the adult female registers?

Chest: up to D4 (ex. “Every Praise”)

Upper Chest: E-flat 4 to G4 (ex. “Im A Survivor)

Mix: A-flat 4 to D5 “Single Ladies”

Head: E-flat 5 to G5 “The Reasons -Minnie”

Super head: A-flat 5 to D6

Whistle: E-flat 6 and above

what are harmonies?

a sound wave that can be broken down like a chord.

What happens when we change the size and shapes of our resonators?

When the size and shape is changed in the throat or mouth, we are filtering the sound wave and making harmonies louder or softer.

What does every vowel sound have?

a resonator that brings out certain sound waves, boosts particular frequencies, or harmonies.

What’s the difference between a throat resonator and a mouth resonator?

a throat resonator has limited range, more depth and a low frequency boost; the mouth resonators has an extended range and a higher frequency boost.

What is a sound wave?

A sound wave is basically vibrating air molecules.

What is the harmonic relationship between pitches?

The harmonic relationship between pitches refers to how different frequencies interact, creating consonance or dissonance based on their ratios.

How do we create vocal colors & vowels?

By changing the alignment of our resonators with harmonics of the sound wave.

What is the first formant?

The throat resonator and lowest resonance. W

What is the 2nd formant?

The mouth resonator.

What are the best way to control formant values?

The best way is through Vowels by changing the size and shape of the resonator.

What happens when you combine Formant value 1 & Formant value 2?

you get vocal perception; which is the identification of different vowel sounds produced by the human voice.

What happens when singers experience cracking, squeezing, and straining?

The voice is using tension in the vocal cords and the throat resonator can only go so high.

What resonator is needed for contemporary singing?

The head or mouth resonator is needed for contemporary singing, allowing for a brighter and more powerful sound.

What happens when a singer adjust vowels?

A singer is adjusting the resonator to sound wave alignment. This helps bring the singer into better balance and control.

What do you do when a vocal condition needs to be fixed?

Choose A tool or vocal exercise that will tend to give an opposite result.

What vocal solution can help a person from yelling and straining?

By using a soft consonant with a closed vowel.

What is a vocal solution for someone who sings too lightly?

By using an open vowel sound with harder consonants.

Why use a bratty sound?

It makes it easier to maintain cord closure without oversqueezing; a thin high larynx (like a witches laugh) helps create a fake mix sound.

Why use a dopey sound?

It is made by over-lowering the larynx, to create a dull sound and create an offset to squeezing high notes.This sound helps to alleviate tension in the vocal cords and supports a more relaxed singing technique.

What does SOVT mean?

SOVT stands for Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract, a technique used in singing and voice training that involves partially closing the vocal tract to enhance vocal cord vibration and reduce strain.

What is back pressure?

the resistance or pressure created against the vocal folds by partially closing the mouth or using a technique like humming or singing through a straw

What are some examples of SOVT exercises?

Lip trills; tongue trills; voiced consonants; straws

What is the diagnostic scale?

A method used to evaluate and categorize vocal function and quality. It helps in identifying vocal issues.

What are some different voice types that I may hear when doing the Diagnostic Scale?

1. Weak/No Chest: a weak, breathy voice in a lower register; commonly used by young females.

2. Pulled Chest: a strong, chest voice but shouts when getting to transition.

3. Flipping: a strong chest and weak head voice. this creates a noticeable flip between registers, often causing a break in the sound.

4. Mix - the ability to blend chest and head voice seamlessly.

What happens to the larynx when a singer strains?

The larynx rises and the throat resonator shortens from tension.

What are some key things to ask when teaching the first voice lesson?

Inquire about the student's vocal experience, goals, and any previous training or issues. Assess their comfort level and understanding of vocal techniques.

What are the three questions to analyze when listening to a voice student?

1. What am I hearing?

2. Why am I hearing this?

3. How do I fix this?

What are the three main elements in a teaching tool kit?

Scales; vowels, consonants

What are the three C’s in the teaching tool kit?

1. Condition - what’s happening to the student’s voice

2. Consider - analyze the singer’s condition

3. Consult - notes you give the singer

What is a tessitura?

The range within which most notes of a vocal part fall, influencing how the voice is perceived and sung. The area to focus on the most.

What are some great examples of using scale patterns?

1. interval exercises

2. neighbor note exercises

3. ascending exercises

4. descending exercises

5. speed exercises

   These patterns help create agility in the voice.

What is the most important factor in the Voice Teaching Toolkit?

How to approach vowels.

What is the most main issue for singers in voice lessons?

How to use the different registers.

What is the relationship between vowels and resonators?

Vowels change the size and shape of acoustic resonators and every shade of every vowel will create a different relationship of the sound wave.

What are the three main vowel categories?

Open (wide); Closed (narrow); Medium (Center)

Give examples of open vowels?

Examples of open vowels include "a" as in "father," "æ" as in "cat," and "ɔ" as in "thought." An open & wide tongue sits back in the mouth.

Give examples of closed vowels?

Closed vowel sounds are produced with the tongue positioned close to the roof of the mouth, creating a narrow vocal tract. Examples include "i" as in "machine" and "u" as in "blue."

Give examples of centered vowels?

Centered vowels are produced with the tongue positioned in the middle of the mouth. Examples include "ʌ" as in "cup" and "ə" as in "sofa."

What kind of vowels drive chest voice?

Wide, open vowels.

What vowels drive head voice?

Narrow, closed vowels.

What vowels drive mix voice?

Balanced, medium vowels.

What does passagio mean?

Passaggio refers to the transition area in a singer's voice between different vocal registers, such as chest voice and head voice. It is crucial for achieving a smooth, balanced sound throughout the vocal range.

What is the importance of consonants in singing?

Consonants are essential in singing as they help articulate words clearly and maintain the flow of phrases. They contribute to the overall clarity and expression of the lyrics, enhancing the emotional impact of the performance. They help build vocal folds into balancing air.

Give examples of hard consonants?

Examples of hard consonants include "b," "d," "g," "k," and "p." These consonants typically require more vocal fold closure and can create a stronger articulation in singing.

Give examples soft consonants?

Examples of soft consonants include "s," "f," "v," "z," and "m." These consonants generally require less vocal fold closure and can create a smoother articulation in singing.

Give some examples of medium consonants?

Examples of medium consonants include "t," "n," "l," and "r." These consonants balance between hard and soft, requiring moderate vocal fold closure for articulation.

What is vowel modification?

Making improvements to the voice by switching to a vowel that works for the singers range.

What is vowel tuning?

By using the power of vowels and resonance to bring out different levels of colors and intensities.

What is the under vowel?

The under vowel is a vocal technique that involves using specifics vowel sounds to support higher pitches or improve resonance in singing.

What happens is the singer will try to hang on to the throat resonator to use higher pitches then causing tension and straining.

How to teach a singer to approach using under vowel?

Have student take a deep breath and instruct them to feel the back of the tongue drop and exhale on an “UH” sound to create a relaxed throat.

What is the over vowel?

The over vowel is a vocal technique that uses certain vowel sounds to enhance the brightness and clarity of higher notes, encouraging a more resonant sound without strain.

How to teach a singer to approach an over vowel?

By adjusting the mouth resonator and changing it with a combo of lip and tongue movement. The mouth will give us more of the vowel perception.

What is the goal for moving from an under vowel to an over vowel?

The acoustic goal is to get the first formant away from the second harmonic. Using the vowel sound “UH” helps with this greatly.

What is the range for men to sing in a mix voice?

E-flat 4 to A-flat 4.

What is the range for a woman to sing in mix voice?

A-flat 4 to E-flat 5.

What is the main goal for mix voice?

To be able to transition smoothly through the vocal break area with no loss of vocal quality or intensity.

What are the two levels of Mix voice?

Physical and acoustic.

What is the physical aspect of mix voice?

The physical aspect of mix voice requires a shift in the dominant muscles of (TA) vocal folds and as sing higher we need to activate the CT vocal cords to thin and stretch the vocal folds.

How to start working with a singer who desires mix voice?

By using less intense sound and closed or “headier” sounds.

What is two point timbre?

Two point timbre refers to a vocal technique that combines different vocal qualities, typically blending chest voice and head voice to create a fuller, richer sound.

1. “Whoop” is the heady sound made when shouting “whoo-hoo”; a classical female head voice

2. “Hey” is the shouting sound of yelling to someone across the street; this is a upper chest belt/pulled Chest sound

What happens to the voice when teaching the two point timbre?

The muscles of the folds will also react to this moving between Whoop and Hey; they will get less tense and have lower resistance with the “whoop” and more intensity with the “hey”.

What are some great examples of the Whoop to Hey spectrum of singing?

1. Kathleen Battle = Whoop; Formant 1 is near Harmonic 1 most of the time

2. Audra McDonald = Whoope with a bit of Hey; moves F1 up to create a musical theatre sound

3. Cynthia Erivo - brings in more H2 for more contemporary singing

4. Jennifer Hudson = moves F1 near to H2 for intense belt sound

What is the key to controlling resonance?

The key to controlling resonance lies in the balance between the vocal folds and the resonating chambers.

What is the difference between voice teaching and voice coaching?

Voice teaching focuses on developing vocal technique and skills, while voice coaching emphasizes performance and interpretation.