Tag Archives: high larynx

Day 2

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Day 2, same as Day 1.

I thought I would share with you some of the details that I pay attention to while I’m vocalizing.

#1   I keep the volume the same throughout. The challenge is bringing out the volume of my low notes, while not pushing for my high notes.

#2   I remind myself the FIRST note after an intake of air is the most important. If the first note doesn’t get good closure, the notes that follow certainly will not.

#3   I check my jaw for tension by occasionally allowing an up and down movement (almost bouncy).

#4   I make sure my larynx is  “neutral” and free. How do I know? I put my finger on it. I’m careful not to confuse the sensation of tilting with the sensation of rising too high. Rising too high will cause a straining or choking feeling in my throat.

#5  I incorporate exercises with a slight  “dopey” sound to maintain a sense of low larynx.

#6 I incorporate tongue-out exercises. I’m careful to note the “tug-of-war” sensation between a “neutral” larynx and the tongue hanging out.  I consider the volume of my mix where I can bridge successfully, while staying relaxed and in control of my voice.

#7  I always engage my rib cage and upper stomach to ensure my breath intake and output is balanced.

#8 I pay attention to the edge of my vocal cords. I listen and feel for a crisp, clean glottal attack with a beautiful warm vowel to follow. I manage this with careful attention to my volume, as well as incorporating the “cry” at the onset of the first note following a breath intake.

#9    I allow myself to run out of breath. This engages my body and instinctively helps me engage my rib cage and back muscles as I catch my next quick intake of air. I’m careful not to tense up my neck, throat or shoulders. I am aware of the sensation of my body rhythmically being involved with my breathing. This is a huge part of my control.

#10  I only start to increase my overall volume when I have everything in good control.

How about you? How did your day go?

 

 

 

The interesting voice of Alanis Morissette

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Yes, there are loads of professional famous singers who sing with a high larynx. It’s their signature sound. It’s their uniqueness.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely not. It’s very limiting, tiring, and IMHO, usually not a marketable sound.

The key is the ability to sing with a larynx high (if one choses for artistic reasons, and to sing with the larynx stable and neutral if one choses). This is the case of Alanis Morrissette. I happen to think she is wildly creative and a very unique and interesting artist.

There are many important qualities that help the position of a high larynx create a manageable and non-straining sound. Optimum breath control and agility, strength and flexibility of the vocal cords are paramount.  The ability to produce oral twang and maintain strong oral resonance allows the singer to produce frequencies that appear loud and piercing to the listener.  Also, a singer needs control and ease of the jaw and tongue. This allows optimum freedom to form their speech-like voice with interesting and unique enunciation of vowels and consonants.

 

Changing your sound

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There are many variations in sound quality you can make simply by altering the shape of your vocal “tube” or tract.

Your tube is the length and area where your breath passes as it blows through your vocal cords. Moving the “house” or “voice box” gives you many options. Knowing how to move it up or down will instantly change the sound of your voice. When your voice box (larynx) is lower in your throat, you have lengthened your tube creating a darker, more robust sound. Move your larynx up, and you have shortened your tube to create a thinner more piercing sound. The entire voice box can tilt as well.

The tongue, soft palate, and shape of the mouth will give you many vocal colors to play with. When the soft palate is low for instance, the breath may escape through the nose changing the sound. If the tongue is high there is added resistance to the breath creating a pressure change which is essential for the “belt” sound.

These are just a few options that can add texture and interest to your voice.

 

Position of the larynx

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Speech Level Singing has been given a bit of a bad rap when it comes to the position of the larynx. Let’s review.

First of all, our larynx has a default position when we speak. Everyone is different. My larynx rises ever-so-slightly when I speak. I just happen to have a slightly “twangy” speaking voice.  I can speak (and sing) with my larynx lower, but that is not my “default” position or my most-natural position.

Some people incorrectly think that Speech Level Singing demands a “low” larynx. This is not the case. SLS simply achieves a larynx that is “neutral” when singing….in other words not too high, and not too low.

I think this is a great way to train the voice. Good singing starts with balance. Balance is the ability to sing your entire range with a relatively neutral larynx.

Then comes style and your signature sound. And, yes, your larynx will rise a little when you belt.