--- In vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Fraser <Steve.Fraser@j...>" <Steve.Fraser@j...> wrote: > --- In vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com, "Lloyd W. Hanson" > <lloyd.hanson@n...> wrote excellent points about the position of the > jaw in singing. > > Lloyd and Listers: > > The one factor I would like to mention about jaw position is its > correlation with the size and shape of the mouth opening, which > directly affect the efficiency of the acoustic coupling of the buccal > cavity to the outside air. While I agree that there is no 'correct' > jaw position which should be used for all vowels, at all dynamic > levels, on all pitches, there is likely to be one that is optimal > (that is, the most sound for the least effort) for a given vowel, at > a given volume, at a given pitch. > > That much having been said, as a matter of studio practice, I have > found it beneficial to teach students the direct acoustical effects > of mouth position changes. The exercise I use is straightforward: I > have the student sing 'Uh' while smiling with their teeth lightly > touching. Most think the sound is 'funny' and that it tickles a > little. Then, I have them drop the front of the jaw slowly and listen > to the change in the sound. WIth a little practice, most notice that > their voice sounds more clear when their mouth is comfortably relaxed > open about 1 thumb width, or just a little less. Relaxed in that > location, they can do all the consonants quite readily, and can both > open more and close more as is required to fine-tune the resonance > profile. > > To my way of thinking, arbitrary 'deep' drops of the jaw are most > often used (IMO, unadvisedly) when trying to increase the projection > power of the voice, or to 'deepen' or 'darken' the resonance. The > danger is introducing unnecessary tension. IMO, there are many other > places to look first when beginning that quest, and most of them are > unseen by the audience. > > Best Regards, > > Steven Fraser
dear Steven,
Do you do this exercise through out the students range or just on one note?
The reason I ask is that I have a man who thinks he is a tenor. I am not sure what voice type he is but he does have a very tight jaw especially on top notes. I thought that this exercise should work well through out the range. Have you found this so?
Thankyou
Deborah
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