Eliminating voice breaks is a basic component of singing technique. To learn to sing better, we need to learn to connect the lower register to the upper register of the voice, and to eliminate all voice breaks.
Almost every untrained singer experiences voice breaks. Some singers deal with the break by forcing the chest voice up, other singers are taught to sing in only the head voice, staying away from chest voice altogether, and others simply lower the keys of songs to avoid high notes. None of these solutions are correct, and all can result in limited choices in song material and an ultimately deteriorating instrument.
One reason a break occurs is that excessive air pressure builds up and forces the vocal cords open, causing the voice to crack. This “air blast” causes the cords to tighten in resistance and then release suddenly when they can no longer resist the overpowering air pressure.
Another reason for a vocal flip, or yodel, in younger or untrained singers is that they often don’t sing with enough energy, or connection to the body. Singing requires a coordination between the vocal cords, which must “adduct” or come together properly, the air pressure from the lungs, and the muscles of the body which must supply a certain amount of support. With new or young singers there is often little or no connection to the body.
In many vocal techniques, however, support is over-emphasized. When the muscles of the body are over-engaged, the cords are not able to resist the increased air flow, and so they “jam up” and do not function freely. Our objective in good vocal production is always balance between the vocal cords and the air pressure. As the voice matures, the cords are able to resist greater air pressure more effectively, and more powerful singing is possible.
At Sing Like A Star™ you will learn to sing in a connected tone from your chest voice to your highest notes with no strain, because the correct amount of air is sent to the cords, allowing coordination to occur between the vocal cords and the air.
With Sing Like A Star™ training, you will learn to “mix” and connect the registers, and to negotiate the bridges of your voice, (the areas of transition, where you might tend to incorrectly push chest too high, or else disconnect into a weak sound) which will allow you to sing with freedom, power and emotion in any style you choose.
Sing Like A Star™ training creates a balanced production, resulting in a smooth transition from chest voice to head voice, and no voice breaks or abrupt changes in the vocal quality as you ascend in pitch.
For professional singing lessons in the Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta GA area, or to register for voice training online by skype, facetime, or speakerphone, please visit the website at www.singlikeastar.com, and click on the GET STARTED tab to register for a professional vocal evaluation and consultation.
