Description:
Alright! Posture is good, and low body support is in place. What else do we need to achieve pro breath support?
The next step is at our vocal folds. We need to use our air efficiently with adequate cord closure. If we have great body support, but weak cord closure, we’re going to waste a bunch of air.
So let’s begin with our 9-tone major scale, on the syllable GOO. That initial “G” brings our cords together; it’s our training wheels for this first exercise. Listen first, and then we’ll sing!
Another way to train healthy cord compression is by using a filter to partially occlude the vocal tract. We’re going to use an NG, and then open up to a vowel this time. Singing a major scale, it’ll be NG ascending and any vowel descending:. The goal is to use as little air on the vowel as you do on the NG. Choose a vowel, and put it together with me.
[Exercise: major scale NG ascending, vowel descending]
Last tip for training cord compression: be aware of the amount of air that’s being expelled when you sing. Although we exhale to sing, many classical teachers promote a technique called “inhalare la voce”, which essentially means continuing the feeling of an inhale as you sing.
I’ll sometimes encourage students to imagine there’s a candle in front of their mouth, and they don’t want to blow the candle out. So let’s experiment with these ideas! Careful that this idea of holding your air back doesn’t cause you to tense or be timid. Use a nice medium volume, and keep your body relaxed.
Singing on an EE vowel, we’ll use the 9-tone major scale, plus a slow 1-5-1. Try it with me once, and then we’ll keep going.
[Exercise: EE 9 tone + 1-5-1]
The next step is at our vocal folds. We need to use our air efficiently with adequate cord closure. If we have great body support, but weak cord closure, we’re going to waste a bunch of air.
So let’s begin with our 9-tone major scale, on the syllable GOO. That initial “G” brings our cords together; it’s our training wheels for this first exercise. Listen first, and then we’ll sing!
Another way to train healthy cord compression is by using a filter to partially occlude the vocal tract. We’re going to use an NG, and then open up to a vowel this time. Singing a major scale, it’ll be NG ascending and any vowel descending:. The goal is to use as little air on the vowel as you do on the NG. Choose a vowel, and put it together with me.
[Exercise: major scale NG ascending, vowel descending]
Last tip for training cord compression: be aware of the amount of air that’s being expelled when you sing. Although we exhale to sing, many classical teachers promote a technique called “inhalare la voce”, which essentially means continuing the feeling of an inhale as you sing.
I’ll sometimes encourage students to imagine there’s a candle in front of their mouth, and they don’t want to blow the candle out. So let’s experiment with these ideas! Careful that this idea of holding your air back doesn’t cause you to tense or be timid. Use a nice medium volume, and keep your body relaxed.
Singing on an EE vowel, we’ll use the 9-tone major scale, plus a slow 1-5-1. Try it with me once, and then we’ll keep going.
[Exercise: EE 9 tone + 1-5-1]
Lessons:
Instructor: Camille van Niekerk
Camille van Niekerk is a singer, writer and vocal instructor in Southern California. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working towards her BA in Music Education at Azusa Pacific University. She then earned her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving to LA county, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages. She is constantly refining her skills and methods for greater versatility and effectiveness. When she is not teaching, Camille enjoys singing with the L.A. Choral Lab and Ensoma Creative. She lives in San Diego with her husband and loves going to the beach, practicing yoga, reading, and cooking.