Extending Chest/Mix voice

Posted in Category Singing Basics
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    Tobias Juarez 3 years ago

    Hello Camille, Could you tell me how can extend my chest/mixed voice? Because when I hit a F4/F#4 my voice starts to crack and it turns into falsetto. I just want to be able to sing a G4 in my mixed voice and not crack in the process. 

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    Camille van Niekerk 3 years ago

     

    H, Tobias! Lots of info below:

    First, make sure you're exercising your head voice! Those head voice muscles (CT) need to be working. Use a full-range lip trill or OO to let your voice "hand over" from chest to head. As you train your chesty mix, that "hand over" will just be more gradual, with less head voice.

    In that middle/mix range where you're starting to feel strained, try using a tall + narrow mouth position (OH or UH shape, rather than a wide HEY or YEAH shape) to encourage more mix (head resonance along with chest). This will relieve some pressure and help you avoid the unstable "shouty" pulled-chest voice sound.

    Here's a video with a singer using that kind of "tall and narrow" vowel modification: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVqS_BYsDBA. Listen carefully to the tone after he modifies the vowel. It goes from shouty chest voice to a strong but more balanced "mix". 

    Here's an article on the kind of vowel substitution he used as well: https://www.thenakedvocalist.com/quick-fix-vowel-substitution/.

    These are the 3 exercises I like best for stretching chesty mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwiwZ3dS8mg&t=408s

    Here's a short lesson on avoiding "flipping" within mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pI9v1YMFN4

    If you're getting a shouty tone, here's another lesson addressing problems with mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzObbNv78oA.

    I also love this teacher's demonstration & explanation of mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYsO7HX84P8. Sometimes it helps to hear the tone quality in a male voice, too!

     Lastly, remember that you're building coordination (between your TA and CT muscles) while you stretch (CT) and continue to resist air (TA). Progress might be slow, but keep at it!

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    Tobias Juarez 3 years ago

    Thanks! Do you think is possible for a baritone to sing a C5 in mixed voice ?

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    Camille van Niekerk 3 years ago

    Good question! I do think it's possible - as both voice types and definition of mixed voice are quite fluid. I think a true baritone would use more of a head-voice dominant mix (like Sam Smith or Adam Levine use when they're singing that high). Start with head voice in that range and build more cord connection over time!

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    Tobias Juarez 3 years ago

    Great! By the way, I couldn't find a warm-up for the head voice in the warms up section. There is a warm-up for head voice in the course, if so could you provide it, please?

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    Camille van Niekerk 3 years ago

    Day 12 ("Head voice") has 2 head voice warmups for you: https://www.30daysinger.com/tutorial/30-day-beginner-course-with-camille/12. But anything wide-range will require you to incorporate your head voice, even if you're not staying in head voice the whole time. 

    This warmup also covers high head voice!

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