A question about singing?!
Question:
A question about singing?
I like to sing, but sometimes it sounds like I just finished crying. What are some ways to open up my throat so I don't sound like that?
Answers: It's probably a combination of breath support and warming up.
You have to make sure you're properly warmed up before you start singing for real. If you try to push for volume before you're warmed up, you'll strain your vocal chords, which can result in a wavery tone.
You want to vocalise with a light, pure tone, for ten to fifteen minutes before you start pushing for volume. Sing scales on pure vowel sounds (ah ay ee oh oo) go as high as comfortable and as low as comfortable, without pushing. Or you can sing lightly with the radio, if the songs will take you through a broad range of your voice.
As for the support part... It's not so much about pushing the air out with your diaphragm. It's about the tension in your diaphragm, and using that to control air flow out through your vocal chords. When you sing low notes, you need a lot of air, because your vocal chords are open wide. When you sing high notes, you don't need much air at all, because your vocal chords are barely open at all. Too much air, or not enough, will just throw you off pitch.
You have to learn to regulate that flow, and that just comes with practice.
But be sure to stand up straight, and try to avoid too much tension in your neck or throat. Everything should be relaxed, except your diaphragm.
If you have trouble with any of these concepts, talk to a choir teacher. They should be able to help you out.
Good luck! Source(s):
I'm a professional singer with a group called Shillelagh Law.
http://www.shillelaghlaw.com use your diaphram... you need to learn to control your stomach when you sing.
a motto is... it is okay to look fat... u just need to push your stomach out.. and support with your stomach... make it ocme from the stomach not the throat.
open your mouth.... and when you sing high... use your 'head voice' and low support wiht your stomach...
practice... laying down on the floor and put your hands on your stomach and feel your self breathing... with your stomach going up and down. feel the strain against your hands.
dont forget to warm up before you start singing. sing with your diaphragm.. not through your nose... that usually means you are trying to run your voice from your throat muscles, and not from your abdominal and dorsal muscles ( breath support). It's like trying to run a car without the motor on. You can push and shove and after 100 yards or so, you will be tired out.
Place your hands at your waist, with your thumbs on the lowest rub in back, and your hands and fingers splayed so that you can feel the ribs in front.
Now laugh, without opening your mouth ( it's a very nasal feeling) feel how all those muscles in there bounce back and forth? those are the muscles we use for breath support and singing. They should pulse gently during singing, sometimes more emphatically when we sing loudly, sometimes barely discernible when we are singing softly. Using these muscles will allow the muscles in your throat to relax and open up, getting you away from that tight "crying" feeling.
another way to allow your throat to relax is to yawn. Go ahead! Feel how much more space there seems to be inside there? Now try, slowly, inhaling that big breath ( as if you had to yawn again) but stop the yawn after the big inrush of air. See how nice and open you have remained? That is one of the best places to have your mouth and jaw in for singing a nice open tone. If you have a hand mirror, watch yourself as you sing. It's not for vanity sake, but to observe what you are doing. you will find that being this honest goes a long way to curing several common mistakes in singing, like having a tight jaw, or on the other hand, making facial grimaces in an attempt to open your mouth. your face should still look like you- natural, nothing distorted. As others have posted, opening your mouth for higher notes is a must, but you don't have to look like you are about to scream.
Best wishes and keep on singing