I have long admired the career path of Beyoncé Knowles, one of the most consistent vocalists performing today. While some singers seem to come and go, with the constant changes in the fickle public taste, she has had a remarkably long-lived and prosperous career, and an equally reliable voice with few vocal issues and problems. This is very unusual in a business where stars burn out quickly as a result of over- singing and trying to meet the demands of constant performing and touring. Why has her voice held up so well over the years? What is she doing well, that other singers might do well to emulate?
The first and most important element to her excellent vocal production is what I like to call “register balance”. She has never fallen into the trap of pushing the chest voice too high, and yelling and straining to reach the high notes. She uses her chest voice very well, even singing notes such as a low F#3 on “If I Were a Boy”, but she doesn’t stay stuck in her chest voice. She is able to transition out of the chest and into a “connected mix” sound in her upper register.
That ability to sing with a connected mix is the secret of vocal longevity. It eliminates the strain of singing only in the chest voice, and allows the singer to reach high notes with a powerful and strong vocal quality that sounds like the chest voice, but feels easy. We call that strong upper register sound “the mix”. I tell my students “If it sounds strong but feels easy, it’s correct. If it sounds strong, but you are straining, it’s incorrect, and if it sounds airy, breathy and weak, it is incorrect”.
I think the secret to Beyoncé’s long career is just that- the ability to sing effortlessly with a connected mix. This ability has allowed her to explore many different avenues in singing, while maintaining a healthy, balanced voice throughout her career. Learn the connected mix, and your singing voice will last for a lifetime!
I wish you all the best as you reach for your dreams! Tricia Grey, MM
