Free Voice Lesson: Introduction to Contemporary Singing
Audio Exercises
Lesson Notes
The standards within style - there is no clear definition of standards within voice training
Terminology has different meanings from one voice instructor to the next
What does operatic singing have to do with contemporary signing? Nothing!
VirtualVoiceLessons.Net teaches contemporary singing - Singing that is based upon the speaking voice
Operatic (or Classical) singing is not based on the speaking voice
Whether it's country or hard rock (or any other genre of contemporary music) singing is based on the speaking voice
Contemporary singing is all styles of singing except operatic
Breathing - Inhalation
This is one of the few areas where contemporary and classical singing are similar
Breathing can be the single most important part of your vocal training
In order to exhale properly we must inhale properly
Two ways we inhale - Diaphragmatic and Intercostal
The way to use the diaphragm most efficiently is to let the diaphragm drop
The stomach should drop downward when inhaling, which allow the diaphragm has room to drop down and 'suck' the air into our lungs
Breathing - Exhaling
We need to create an internal pressure around the vocal chords
There is a difference between pushing and flexing - we must push the air, not flex our muscles
Flexing causes straining
Vocal Tone
What is vocal tone? Tone is the quality and character of sound
The character of sound can be described as the emotion that the sound
The quality of tone is treble (brightness) and bass (darkness)
The higher we sing the more we need to open the throat to keep the sound the same
The piercing or bright sound of the voice is where contemporary and classical singing differ
In contemporary singing we aim the voice to the hard palate (the back of the mouth)
There are two other key differences - vowels and consonants
Classical voice trainers teach vowels and consonants that are not used in the English language
Practice Assignments
Listen to the audio exercise Introduction to Vocal Warmup. Use the appropriate warmup exercise on this page and make sure you: 1) Inhale correctly, and 2) Maintain air pressure as you sing each note. There is one exercise for lower voices (males) and one for higher voices (females).
As described in the audio exercise, stand against a wall and allow the stomach to drop while breathing.
Practice holding the abdomen and singing 'hey' as demonstrated in the video.
Listen to your favorite singers and try to recognize the treble (brightness) and bass (darkness) in their voices.