Discover Your Voice: Chapter 5
Emily Cottam
Chapter Summary: Each voice has a range/size/agility that is unique to the individual. According to Brown, there are four main registers in the voice: 1) lowest/only in speaking/vocal fry, 2) low register for speaking and singing/chest/normal voice, 3) High register for mostly singing/falsetto/light/head, and 4) Very high/flute/whistle, relevant mostly for coloratura sopranos. There’s also 2A) which is middle voice. The place of register adjustment is different for all individuals. When bridging between registers, you must always maintain a low larynx and yawn-like position that is relaxed and without unnecessary tension. For register 1, it’s important to keep a low larynx and an “almost breathy flow of air.” Finding register 4 is like finding the head voice above the head voice. Exercising the voice takes daily practice of all parts of the voice, and understanding that there are light and heavy parts of the voice is crucial to maintaining healthy vocal folds. “If it’s not comfortable, it is probably harmful. At this point of development, an aesthetically beautiful sound is not necessarily the criterion.” Take your time to learn the technique; learning to singing is a slow process that takes discipline.
Key Concepts: Each voice is unique, but for singing, it’s important to exercise all parts of the voice with daily practice that’s gentle and full of awareness of sensation, rather than sound. Things take time; be patient and disciplined.
Key Terms: registers, register adjustment, falsetto
Making Connections: I really like how he explained that there are light and heavy sections of the voice, so I shouldn’t be trying to make a particular section of my voice heavier than it needs to be; I’m the type of person who tries to force things to sound the way I want it, and I need to remind myself that what I hear isn’t necessarily what I should be focusing on.
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