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From:  buzzcen@a...
buzzcen@a...
Date:  Sun Apr 8, 2001  3:50 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] tenor low range


In a message dated 4/8/01 4:10:31 AM Central Daylight Time,
broadwayboy81@h... writes:


> Im a tenor, and my upper range is expanding quite nicely. However, my lower
> range is lsiing significantly due to that. from d belw middle c and down
> the sound just isnt as present as the middle range and there is a noticable
> register change. I want to sing musical theater and for me to be able to
> do
> that I will stll have to have a low register. So, what are some low warm
> ups for tenors? Any help would really be appreciated!
>
>

Welcome to the list,

It's difficult to know exactly what you're talking about here, but I don't
know if it's a matter of warming up the lower range per se, but finding
exercises that ensure adduction (medial compression) throughout the entire
scope of the voice. If a big register shift is evident from low to middle
voice, most likely to things are happening:

1. You're losing compression and veering towards falsetto.

2. You haven't found the correct vowel modifications to unify the timbre.

While the chest voice in a tenor of the non dramatic kind does not mean it
should not be present, it will not be as dark and/or robust as a heavier
fach. But if you are losing it as a result of the middle and top improving,
you may have been singing in it too heavily in chest before or more likely,
you are not in a real mix now and are bringing something that lacks
sufficient compression down into the lower reaches and it washes out.

For a voice to be complete it needs sufficient medial compression, are you
getting that? BTW, medial compression does not mean extrinsic involvement
and pressure but the folds adducting correctly using intrinsic musculature
(ideally, although in hyperfunctional phonation outside interference will be
used). For what you're looking for, Broadway, speech level singing may be a
better approach. I don't say this because I teach it, but the emphasis is on
getting the cords and sound to connect coming out of chest. The aesthetic is
also more in line with Broadway ... if that is your goal, that's what you
should aim for.

Randy Buescher




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