Choral Ed Ep. 28, 31, 32 & 33

Check voice parts at least once per semester

downward vocalization is best method for training boys with unchanged voices to avoid overuse of the chest voice

The Boy's Changing Voice Inform Students About the Changing Voice 1

  • Singing is a natural process

  • Singing is vulnerable, so it's important to curate a welcoming and mistake accepting environment

Vocal/Physical Changes

  • Age does not determine voice change

  • Neither does physical size

  • Breaks occur when muscles do not change quickly

  • "Normal" needs to be a part of your vocabulary

Vocal Registers

- Exercise the head voice consistently

The Female Changing Voice Physical Changes in the Adolescent Voice

- Everything grows that affects the voice!

Phase 1 Unchanged

  • Flute-like quality

  • No real vibrato

  • One octave, comfortable range

  • No obvious register breaks

Phase 2a

  • Breathiness

  • Vocal folds don't full close yet

  • Difficulty singing in the lower register

  • Gaining notes

  • May experience loss of breath (of course)

  • Vibrato may emerge

  • Vital to allow naturally, not encouraged to create

Phase 2b

  • Noticeable breaks

  • Still breathy

  • Inconsistent access to edges of range

  • Huskiness, hoarseness

  • Loss of agility

  • Common to decide they cannot sing (not true!)

Phase 3

  • Decrease in breathiness

  • Winder range

  • Vibrato is often in

  • Speaking and singing becomes richer

  • Still not an adult voice

Accommodations for the Changing Voice

Octave Displacement

- Raise or lower the octave for more comfort

Part/Line Combination

  • Have the student jump to an alternate line

  • Altos with tenors

  • Tenors with basses

  • If often, notate the new part fully

  • If not, arrows

Change the Key

  • Likely to notate, transpose on keyboard

  • Typically only half or whole step

Rewrite the Part

  • Done carefully!

  • Many for middle school know this may happen

  • Ask for permission

Carefully Select Repertoire

  • It can start here!

  • Nothing wrong with two-part, unison music

  • Unison can be challenging

Avoid Extreme Dynamics

- FF or pp can hurt the voice, not healthy

Avoid Large Leaps

- This is where octave displacement can help

Self Efficacy and Pitch Matching

  • If they can’t match pitch, this reduces their efficacy

    • It may make them feel as though they aren’t good musicians

  • Some students match pitch in certain ranges

Cooper Group Test

  • Start in D major

    • Those who switch have a changed voice and are matching pitch

  • In A major are undergoing voice change but can still match pitch in these ranges

  • G Major are unchanged voices who are matching pitch

Matching Pitch

  • Teacher matches student

  • Student matches teacher

  • Pitch sliding

  • Repeated pitch