What I’ve always loved about “speech-level” singing is the impact it has on the singer’s chest voice, especially for the ladies. When we sing low notes, it’s relatively easy to use thick folds, and in general we “thin out” as we ascend higher in pitch.
The ability to control the thickness of the cords at higher pitches (especially above the first passagio) is a coordination of such great singers as Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Christine Aguilera, Whitney Houston, and many more. In fact, all these singers command attention with their shouty and assertive singing voice in their high register. It is the ever-changing degree of thickness and stretching that makes these singers great. If they were always using the same degree, the sound would be boring and lack interest.
Maintaining thick folds in the higher register demands great breath support. Without the support, the cords are unable to weave in and out of varying degrees of thickness and stretching. Exercises in volume changes are great for the vocal folds.
It is especially challenging to do these exercises properly without strain above your first passagio. Many amateurs “push” the sound beyond what the cords are capable of managing on the edges. This is where Brett Manning’s word of “light and right” stands true.
And, one more thing…..all these great singers who are singing with thick folds are actually “mixing!” Yes, their voice is resonating in their head and chest area. They are “allowing” the cords to stretch and thin out because the larynx is tilting. This allows for great mouth and head resonance!
Questions? I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line.
Hi,
I always wondered whether mix for a woman occurred in thick or thin folds-there are many youtube videos of female singing teachers claiming mix is a forward placed (or wide vowel) head voice (thin folds). it is obvious that this is not what the great pop belters are doing- so just to clarify, mix is carried out in thick folds but the sound is placed in the head and there are modifications to the chest voice such as laryngeal tilt etc that change it from thick folds/pure chest to thick folds/chest mix. Is that correct?
Hi Jenny
Let me put it this way and see if it opens up a new prospective for you. Forgive me if I am being redundant.
The true definition of “belting” does not include mixing. It is a chest register coordination with thick folds.
The definition of “mixing” is allowing the voice to ascend in pitch through the passaggio (for women around G above middle C). The vocal folds thin out as the voice ascends in pitch. To do this without being breathy, the larynx will tilt as the voice goes higher.
You mention the great pop belters, so I assume you are referring to the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Christina Aguilera. You say it is obvious that they are singing with thick fold. Please note, it may sound like they are always singing with thick folds, but, they are mixing with varying degrees of thickness. Their larynx is tilted and their cords have stretched (thinned or stiffened) as they ascend in pitch. (Exception: Christina Aguilera sometimes sings in full chest voice, and is able to sing in a beautiful mix as well. She is very aware of what she is doing…it’s a stylistic choice).
The reason these singers sound like they are only singing with thick folds is because they have good vocal cord closure and breath control and support…two EXTREMELY important components to singing in a good mix.
You mention the wide vowel and forward placement. This is absolutely correct and the #1 coordination defining a “pop” sound. The tongue is free in the back of the mouth allowing for “twang” and a speech-level sound. This is why they simply sound like they are talking on pitch…..because they are!
I always remind my students of the illusion of “powerful” singing. If any one of these singers were to sing their #1 hit song in your living room without a microphone, you would say….is that it? Is that all there is? Yes, that’s all it is!
Thank you so much for your question and the opportunity to respond. Good luck! Susie