The correct position for your singing voice
To give yourselves the greatest chance at singing your best, think of always putting your instrument in the correct position for the best possible sound. This includes the position of your larynx. The larynx, which houses our vocal chords, should sit in a relaxed, low position at all times while we sing. When the larynx is low you will feel that yawnie, deep stretch in your throat. The problem with the larynx is it tends to rise with the pitch…pitch goes higher, larynx wants goes with it. When the larynx rises it tends to squeeze our throats producing that strangulated feeling that is not good for healthy, beautiful singing. So, in good vocal training we work to keep the larynx low and relaxed. For men, especially lower voiced males, you can see the larynx pretty easily. For women and higher voiced singers it can be difficult to see. Here’s what I suggest-Gently place your index finger on your throat and take a yawnie, deep breath. Most likely you will feel your larynx lower. Keeping your finger there can aid in revealing what your larynx is doing. When I learned about this critical aspect of vocal technique, my whole voice and world changed. I believe yours will too!!
Special message for male voices
A common problem for tenors, baritones and basses, is learning to successfully manage the passaggio. Passaggio is an Italian word that means passage and when we use it in singing, it refers to the passage from one vocal register to another. Guys must learn how to master the ability to move easily and seamlessly from one vocal register to another which is the only way to gain ease for singing their high notes! If you can’t manage the passaggio efficiently, the larynx will rise quickly with each higher note leading to a tight, squeezed feeling. Watch your Adam’s apple, (larynx) if it goes up with each higher note in your range then you are not going to manage your passaggio correctly.
Try this exercise…
Start in your middle register on an ee vowel. Remember your jaw should be dropped comfortably as in the ah vowel position and your tongue resting lightly just behind your lower front teeth to create the ee vowel sound. As you sing a rising scale at some point you should feel it difficult to maintain a pure ee vowel. Try creating a lower position in your larynx by mimicking the feeling of a yawn. Done successfully, the ee vowel will become easier and the vowel more pure again. Learning to navigate your passaggio correctly is extremely important to overall vocal health and good singing. It will take the help and guidance of a well-educated voice teacher.
Put your instrument in the correct position
To give yourselves the greatest chance at singing your best, think of always putting your instrument in the correct position for the best possible sound. This includes the position of your larynx. The larynx, which houses our vocal chords, should sit in a relaxed, low position at all times while we sing. When the larynx is low you will feel that yawny deep stretch in your throat. The problem with the larynx is it tends to rise with the pitch…pitch goes higher, larynx wants goes with it. When the larynx rises it tends to squeeze our throats producing that strangulated feeling that is not good for healthy, beautiful singing. So, in good vocal training we work to keep the larynx low and relaxed. For men, especially lower voiced males, you can see the larynx pretty easily. For women and higher voiced singers it can be difficult to see. Here’s what I suggest-Gently place your index finger in your throat and take a yawny, deep breath. Most likely you will feel your larynx lower. Keeping your finger there can aid in revealing to you what your larynx is doing. When I learned about this critical aspect of vocal technique, my whole voice and world changed! We would absolutely love to help you achieve a relaxed, low laryngeal position so you can have that beautiful sound that makes high notes SO MUCH easier!!