Bob (aka Singer112001) wrote of his success in using a cork to get his mouth/jaw
open to sing. Alleluia! I had forgotten all about this type of mechanical
intervention and am about to "inflict" it upon two of my most stubborn
"glued-jaw" students, LOL.
When I was at the Con years back, I can't remember who it was advocated its use
( it might have been Vennard? Must go look him up), but my teacher spoke of
using a "bone prop" to achieve the feeling (and train the muscles) of singing
with an open jaw. Indeed she had us carving up bic biro barrels to create our
own. (Rather than the original suggestion of bone, which I can't begin to
imagine where or how one proccured such a thing.) It's obvious that this
suggestion might lead to other troubles, but like Bob, I can vouch for the
efficacy of this method. Truly it worked wonders, despite the fact that at 19
years old we all felt rather self-conscious about how stupid we looked and
sounded and the occassional problematic drool. Part of the trick was having
several sizes also, which one either worked through or practised with according
to how one was feeling on any given day. Mostly we did vocalises, warm-up and
technical exercises, but also some songs or particular passages, but this kind
of exercise was never a substitute for other practise/learning/rehearsal as
well. It was an additional aspect to our usual days singing activities. It was
particularly excellent (for me at any rate) in training the "muscles at the back
of the throat" to form all the vowel sounds, especially -ee-, just as much as
anywhere else, and getting the tip of the tongue right behind the bottom teeth
100% of the time!
Initially I had three sizes starting at 3 and then 4 & 5cms ( roughly 1 1/4, 1
1/2 & 1 14/16 inches) 5 cms was a bit of a killer and used with discretion.
(These days that's about my comfort zone for the "big" notes) 3 cms was a bit on
the lazy side and not of much use, so you can see (by my example) it isn't a
huge amount of variation. Rule of "thumb", as it were, was using your own
fingers as a guide. Two finger widths is the absolute minimum requirement and
three is pretty much the maximum, but I would imagine that varies, at least a
little, from individual to individual. I would think cork would be far kinder to
your teeth also (thanks for that suggestion Bob!) As time went on I altered
these measurements, ever so slightly, for personal optimum effect.
One other thing. It's no straight substitute either for any other jaw
loosening/relaxing activities. Indeed if I hadn't done a proper warm-up routine
of jaw/tongue exercises similar to they type of activities Karen Mercedes
suggested I would end up with a strangled sound and very painful
face/jaw/tongue. And yes consonants are a bit tricky, but you'd be amazed at how
much better they get also once that prop is taken out. (Well, at least I know I
was.)
One a more humourous note. I once saw a TV documentary, years back now, when
Karaoke was first becoming all the rage in corporate Japan. They showed these
poor hapless Japanese workers going for a crash course in singing so as to save
face at the mandatory after work karoake sessions with the boss etc. The second
thing this teacher did was cram a ping-pong ball in their mouth and tell them to
go for it. Surprisingly, this worked wonders. Apart from the obvious discomfort
and somewhat restricted tongue, there was DOUBLE the volume immediately and that
despite the fact there was such a huge obstacle to that sound reaching our ears.
I used to love regaling my students with this story just to see the look of
horror on their face. But more because just the mere suggestion of it produced
some lovely open jaws. And to think I had forgotten! Whatever has come over me?
LOL.
Hope this suggestion is of some use to someone.
Cheers
Michelle
Reality is just a figment of your imagination.
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