Speaking as a dramatic contralto... :)
I have observed a few things.
1) When one *tries too hard* to do pianissimi, the result is often under-energised breath "support" (lower abdomen), which makes it HARDER, not easier, to sing softly.
2) When producing a pianissimo sound, the decrease in compression is inversely proportional to the increase in energy/support. The quieter you get, the less compression, and the more energy/support needed to sustain a consistently "spinning" yet softer sound.
3) As an exercise, work on starting your high notes loud, then gradually tapering them to pianissimo, while maintaining absolute consistency in the "spin" of the sound. No, the resonance and overtones won't be the same, but the *energy* behind the quiet sound should, if anything, be greater to make up for the lack of deep resonance and overtones.
4) Try some "high, light" staccato exercises to get used to the sensation you want to achieve on your high, soft notes. I use a 1-3-5-8-10-8-5-3-1 arpeggio, sung very lightly and staccato, and eventually moving up so that the "10" note (the third above the top of the octave) is the absolutely highest note I can sing. The entire time I sing, I think "pizzicato" - as in violin strings being very lightly, quickly plucked. I am scrupulous about NOT adding compression to the high notes. And I don't care about beauty in the sound - I focus the sound very "forward" ("into the masque", "into the nose", whatever) in my mental imagery. I'm not looking for any kind of rich resonance, laryngeal resonance, overtones, etc. I'm looking for pure, laser-like high notes that I just "touch" and get off.
I then repeat the exercise sustaining each note a bit longer, and a bit longer, but without any increase in volume. The result is that, ultimately, I'm able to sing a pianissimo high note and sustain it.
Hope these ideas help.
Karen Mercedes http://www.radix.net/~dalila/index.html ______________________________________ I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 1 Corinthians 14:15
|
| |