In a message dated 4/4/01 4:21:07 AM, classicalsinger@e... writes:
<< The first thing was to suggest that I not open my mouth much.
Currently, on my high B's I open about 3 fingers widths. This soprano
also suggested I sing UH on this note to "ease the register
transition." (I am unsuccessful at singing UH on a high B. My voice
likes AH or AE.) She also said not to think about the throat, larynx,
or soft palate. She suggests I get rid of the U shape which occurs with
my tongue. She also suggested pushing out the lower abdomen but
increasing the amount of air flow on the top notes. "The top notes are
almost all air." >>
Regina,
It may work for her, but sounds pretty strange to me. If you watch most great
singers, I think you'll see them opening visibly on high notes. There are
some exceptions--some people are open incredibly wide all the time, and I
think it might have been Emma Calve who prided herself on not opening wide to
breathe or to sing (if I remember correctly, she studied a "closed mouth"
technique that I've never been able to learn much about.)
I personally open up a lot to sing a high B full voice, although I've never
measured in "fingers." The tone needs space to "fly." I find that an AW
sound usually works best. I also seem to experience less, rather than more,
air flow on high notes--and I can hold high notes forever!
<<Is there truly any benefit to learning to sing a full voice tone on a
high B or C on an UH vowel and with the palate not raised?>>
Not that I'm aware of.
<<Her reasoning is that when people open the mouth significantly, it is
because they are forcing a lower register up instead of allowing the
tone to shift to the next higher register. >>
That sounds like pure baloney to me. But individual sensations of singing
vary, so maybe she finds it meaningful. And I know that many of the things
that my teacher tells me might be considered "outrageous" when taken out of
context by someone who does not have a full explanation. Why not discuss it
with your teacher--or if you'd like to sing more like this woman, find out
who her teacher is. It may help make everything fit together and make sense.
Judy
PS--Just out of curiosity, who is this person?
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