Singing Tips: How to stop fearing your vocal registers

I would like to make make sure those watching this "right-brained" video, know that much of what I teach is counter-intuitive. I share here, what has worked quite well over the years for those who are not anatomy experts, but if you are, this video might make you cringe when I get to the vocal fold part!

Singers: If you can use less air and more support as you go higher, you will have an easier time mixing your voice. However: Please note the important facts NOT given in this video: As notes get higher, the vocal chords thin and stretch. On low notes, they thicken and shorten. That's a tough thing to show with your fingers, but I actually showed the opposite here. I have found that by using my fingers as if they were the air, it helps singers to understand not to push, but balance. In this way, singers don't get vocal blowout and learn to back off, but learn to naturally blend their voice into what sounds like one lovely gradient purple.

Having said all this, knowing how vocal folds work will not help you sing better, but can be useful information – especially for people who like to know how things work. Overall, there are so many factors beyond physical that contribute to how you blend throughout your range, so be sure to not take the colors too literally if it gets you to over analyze.

I have considered taking the video down to avoid confusion, but many still seem to benefit from learning this way. Let me know if this video helps you…or write me if you have questions.