Falsetto

Hi everyone,

I watched a Youtube video and it told be that falsetto is just head voice but no vocal closure.  So I tried that and it was super hard.  I've heard that falsetto is supposed to be higher then head voice, is that true?  Also how can I "strength" my falsetto?  I can hit a A5 with my falsetto, but on a lucky day, I can hit a D6 with my headd voice, for your information if this matters at all.  (Starting range G3-G5, started singing one year ago, also if it matters) 

Thanks

Aaron

There are so many different definitions people use! I think of falsetto as head voice function with less vocal fold closure. And naturally, you can sing higher in that mode (thin vocal folds, little closure) than you can in head voice (still thin and long but more contact). 

So I think of "strengthening" falsetto as finding the vowels or shapes that help you sing with consistency: something like a HEE, HOO, HWOO (lips very rounded and almost closed), or light NG sound. Then, it's a matter of gradually sustaining those pitches and ensuring that other muscles aren't getting in the way. For example, is your tongue retracting? Remind it to relax. 

Hope that helps!

Yes it certainly did.  I have another question though, when I'm am practing falsetto, do I want to make sure I don't have a sturdy cord closure because of all the practice I had with a sturdy cord compression, I feel that I can't take away that sturdy cord compression.  Is that an issue.  Thanks again Camille!

It's not an issue that you have good cord compression! But in order to sing in a true, light falsetto, you will need to let the cords thin. Take this advice with a grain of salt (since I haven't heard you sing), but it may be worth it (for a time) to even let your voice fall on the "breathy" side and see if that helps you sing higher in falsetto!

This is really helping me.  Thank you, you don't understand what it means for someone to be giving me advice for my singing journey.  Thank you again...

I have another question again...  I'm hitting like D6s super easily now in falsetto somehow I'm pretty sure but I'm not sure if I'm actually using falsetto...  How can I know I am using falsetto?  Thanks!

You're welcome, Aaron! Glad to help!

Based just on the pitch, I'd assume you're using falsetto. But it's really not necessary to make a distinction between head voice and falsetto, since they're functionally the same! If the term helps you, then use it. But if it causes more confusion, don't!

Thanks again!

Sure thing, Aaron!