Thank you for being so articulate and going into such detail. You made me convinced that posture is the very foundation of singing, where I have to start.
I had severe neck and shoulder pain for almost two decades, since I was injured at 17, and I tried everything - really, everything. One day I stumbled into a RUclips video (I can no longer find it or anything like it) that teaches you to correct the posture in two steps. First, with your hand, push the sternum up and to the back. Once that is done for a month or so, the second step is to tilt your head up to the sky. Long story short, the first tip: pushing the sternum up and back, fixed my upper back, shoulder and neck pain. I still do it to this day whenever I find a bit uncomfortable neck pain. I don't know why I can't find any video like it on RUclips.
+singwisevocals I would love to know your thoughts on Pilates Mat for singers. I am aj instructor and Body Alignment Specialist. Wanting to network more with coaches.
I don't know if I have any thoughts on the matter: It's after 1:00 in the morning here and my brain is asleep! As a general rule fitness and a strong core are great for singers... and everyone. I've watched this video: ruclips.net/video/3VjfdYW681c/видео.html
I will try following some of your suggestions as I do need to align my posture, and hope I shall be successful. I noticed that my scoliosis (a lateral curvature of my spine- which looks like an upside-down (?) had worsened after having three cesareans. I used to sing but now even my speech started breaking. This has improved a bit with speech therapy exercises and some neck stretches.
Just an irrelevant aside: I notice you have the book 'naked voice' on your shelf. I bought that recently myself; just curious what your thoughts are on it/Smith???
Thanks, this was very informative) could you make a video on relieving jaw tension when singing higher? Cuz my jaw gets really tight aaaand also the sounds gets trapped somewhere around the soft palate when singing the N consonant in high range, because I try to lift the soft palate and close the nasal passage, but n needs it to be opened, and for some reason it's not an issue when singing in my mid range.. The soft palate automatically opens for the nasal consonant, but I guess I tense up so much when singing high, that there's no room for the soft palate to open lololol))
Have you seen my video on eliminating jaw tension? It doesn't directly address singing high notes, but the concepts are the same regardless of where in the range we're singing. It's about using the jaw in a biomechanically efficient way, in accordance with how it's designed to work. Retrain the voice in silence. It's usually a pretty effective way of getting the instrument to cooperate better. Imagine that you're singing your high pitches, but don't actually sing them. As you're doing this, train the soft palate to move up and down when it's supposed to. And pay close attention to what is causing the soft palate to rise when it's not supposed to and when it ordinarily wouldn't during speech or when you're singing down lower. What is the tongue doing? What is the jaw doing?
singwisevocals i think i watched ur video on jaw tension, but i'm going to watch it again just in case. when you say train the soft palate to move when it's supposed to, what do you mean, isn't the soft palate supposed to be closing the nasal passages all the time when singing? well except when singing nasal consonants n, ng, m etc
Yes, the soft palate remains elevated except during the production of nasal consonants and vowels. However, researchers have observed (in speakers) varying degrees of velopharyngeal port closure and different mechanisms for closing off the nasal port. And the seal isn't actually as tight as what was once believe and as the textbooks suggest. The key is ensuring that, even if the seal (formed by the soft palate and nasopharynx) isn't complete, there is so little airflow into the nasal passages that any nasal resonance (nasality) is not perceived by the listener. The other important factor is the rapidity with which we open and close the nasal port. It has to be quick and precise. Again, even if the seal isn't 100%, the soft palate just needs to be out of the way enough to prevent resonance from becoming trapped in behind the lowered soft palate, which will give it a muffled (like singing into a pillow) kind of sound.
singwisevocals oh well i guess i shouldn't really worry about it as long as i don't sound too nasally.. cuz what you're saying is really really not easy to get ahahah)))) especially for someone without any music education))
You articulate great information clearly and with easy understanding! Thank you!
Thank you for being so articulate and going into such detail. You made me convinced that posture is the very foundation of singing, where I have to start.
I had severe neck and shoulder pain for almost two decades, since I was injured at 17, and I tried everything - really, everything. One day I stumbled into a RUclips video (I can no longer find it or anything like it) that teaches you to correct the posture in two steps. First, with your hand, push the sternum up and to the back. Once that is done for a month or so, the second step is to tilt your head up to the sky. Long story short, the first tip: pushing the sternum up and back, fixed my upper back, shoulder and neck pain. I still do it to this day whenever I find a bit uncomfortable neck pain. I don't know why I can't find any video like it on RUclips.
Tons of knowledge we often forget. Thanks very much.
You're welcome! I love how your comments are always so positive and encouraging.
Recently found this channel. Soo informative!! Thank you so much! ❤️❤️
0:53 Okay but you didnt have to attack me like that XD
All I can say is that you KNOW YOUR SHIT and Im glad you are talking about this.
Just like a car, when misaligned, it gets abnormal wear and tear.
:) At least someone gets it!
+singwisevocals I would love to know your thoughts on Pilates Mat for singers. I am aj instructor and Body Alignment Specialist. Wanting to network more with coaches.
I don't know if I have any thoughts on the matter: It's after 1:00 in the morning here and my brain is asleep! As a general rule fitness and a strong core are great for singers... and everyone. I've watched this video: ruclips.net/video/3VjfdYW681c/видео.html
I will try following some of your suggestions as I do need to align my posture, and hope I shall be successful. I noticed that my scoliosis (a lateral curvature of my spine- which looks like an upside-down (?) had worsened after having three cesareans. I used to sing but now even my speech started breaking. This has improved a bit with speech therapy exercises and some neck stretches.
Just an irrelevant aside: I notice you have the book 'naked voice' on your shelf. I bought that recently myself; just curious what your thoughts are on it/Smith???
Any thoughts on singing with scoliosis? (Particularly posture/breathing)
Thanks, this was very informative) could you make a video on relieving jaw tension when singing higher? Cuz my jaw gets really tight aaaand also the sounds gets trapped somewhere around the soft palate when singing the N consonant in high range, because I try to lift the soft palate and close the nasal passage, but n needs it to be opened, and for some reason it's not an issue when singing in my mid range.. The soft palate automatically opens for the nasal consonant, but I guess I tense up so much when singing high, that there's no room for the soft palate to open lololol))
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll consider making a video on that topic in the near future.
Have you seen my video on eliminating jaw tension? It doesn't directly address singing high notes, but the concepts are the same regardless of where in the range we're singing. It's about using the jaw in a biomechanically efficient way, in accordance with how it's designed to work. Retrain the voice in silence. It's usually a pretty effective way of getting the instrument to cooperate better. Imagine that you're singing your high pitches, but don't actually sing them. As you're doing this, train the soft palate to move up and down when it's supposed to. And pay close attention to what is causing the soft palate to rise when it's not supposed to and when it ordinarily wouldn't during speech or when you're singing down lower. What is the tongue doing? What is the jaw doing?
singwisevocals i think i watched ur video on jaw tension, but i'm going to watch it again just in case. when you say train the soft palate to move when it's supposed to, what do you mean, isn't the soft palate supposed to be closing the nasal passages all the time when singing? well except when singing nasal consonants n, ng, m etc
Yes, the soft palate remains elevated except during the production of nasal consonants and vowels. However, researchers have observed (in speakers) varying degrees of velopharyngeal port closure and different mechanisms for closing off the nasal port. And the seal isn't actually as tight as what was once believe and as the textbooks suggest. The key is ensuring that, even if the seal (formed by the soft palate and nasopharynx) isn't complete, there is so little airflow into the nasal passages that any nasal resonance (nasality) is not perceived by the listener. The other important factor is the rapidity with which we open and close the nasal port. It has to be quick and precise. Again, even if the seal isn't 100%, the soft palate just needs to be out of the way enough to prevent resonance from becoming trapped in behind the lowered soft palate, which will give it a muffled (like singing into a pillow) kind of sound.
singwisevocals oh well i guess i shouldn't really worry about it as long as i don't sound too nasally.. cuz what you're saying is really really not easy to get ahahah)))) especially for someone without any music education))