Singing Tips: 2

The Singing Voice:

• The singing voice has two registers commonly called the chest voice and the head voice (or falsetto)
• These registers are defined primarily by the configuration of the larynx and how the vocal fold vibrates the air passing through it
• The references to a middle register actually refer to a blended tone from both the chest and head registers
• The transition between chest voice and head voice is commonly called the break
• Lower notes are generally sung with the chest voice and higher notes are sung blended or in the head voice, but there will be a handful of notes that can be sung with either chest or head voice
• There is usually a marked difference in volume and tone of the chest and head voices in untrained singers, but training can smooth out the transition and create a blended range that makes the best use of both registers

Prepare to Sing:

• Proper breathing is the foundation of all singing and good posture is the only way to breath properly. To get into the correct posture, imagine a you are dangling from a string tied to the top of your head. Your neck, shoulders and back are hanging straight with the muscles relaxed
• Breath in through both the mouth and nose with the throat as open as possible to allow air to move quickly without a pronounced hissing sound.
• When breathing in the stomach should move out and down and the chest should expand out, but the shoulders should not need to lift.
• If you need to hold your breath before beginning to sing, leave the throat open and keep the air in the lungs by keeping the diaphragm and lower back muscles extended.