Emily F. OB 5

Emily F. OB 5: If I keep my voice in good shape and take good care of it, I'll be able to extend my range and have consistency throughout the registers. It's important to not box myself into a label of "mezzo" until I truly understand the quality and ability of my voice. Registers 1-4 can be found in most trained voices, but most of the use is in registers 2 and 3. Adjusting throughout the registers means learning how to healthfully balance cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid so that there is consistency in the quality of sound throughout the range. "There are no short-cuts" in developing a strong, healthy singing voice. Practicing every day and using good technique will be "richly rewarding".
Key concept: The voice has an immense potential of range and ability if cared for and exercised properly.
Key terms: registers, register adjustment, pulse, vocal fry, creak, falsetto, flute voice, whistle voice, passagio
Making connections: This is a great chapter! So much good information. Teachers have told me before that I probably am a soprano, and I don't doubt it, I just don't know how to access registers 3 and 4 well. (And I really like rich mezzo sounds.) I'm better than I used to be a few years ago, but I've gotten into some heavy vocal habits. I've gotten pretty good at moving down from 3 to 2 smoothly, with a good mix, but ascending isn't good yet. I can sing well below middle C in almost all register 3, but coming up from chest voice I have a break at  E or F and can't carry register 2 up past that. I think that might be why I have such a hard time sounding speech-like or authentic in my singing--almost everything I sing is in register 3 and I can't mix register 2 up into it well. It's hard to be patient with my voice in increasing my range and smoothing out my registers. I feel like I'm so old to be starting this pursuit--I'm not old, but I haven't had the opportunity to have voice lessons and coaching like so many other students have. My formal training essentially started after I was 30, so I do feel impatient and I worry that all of my self-taught habits of 30 years have ruined me. The advice to be patient is good, just hard to swallow. I played around with some register 4 activities the other day and had fun with it.