Having trouble singing "Share my voice"song

Hi, I'm on lesson 18 of the begginers course and I'm having trouble with the chorus of the "share my voice" song. I can't seem to reach the higher notes of the chorus with my chest voice and my voice cracks when I try. Is this normal and can you give me some tips please?

Hi, Sebastian! Try modifying the vowel (instead of the A in share, try singing an I as in "sit"). 

The overall issue is that we tend to either shout or "flip" into head voice when we're singing very high in chest voice. Around D4/Eb4 (for tenors and basses) and G4/Ab4 (for sopranos and altos), we need to transition to a mix rather than full-on chest voice. This will allow us to carry some chest function up higher than we could safely do in full chest voice. Mixed registration is how most singers “belt” high, powerful notes without shouting or cracking. 

In that middle 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". 

And here's more instruction from us on mixed voice:

Article on mix - https://www.30daysinger.com/blog/mixed-voice-why-is-it-so-important-and-how-can-i-develop-it

3 favorite mix exercises (save this video!) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwiwZ3dS8mg&t=408s

How to stop flipping/cracking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pI9v1YMFN4&t=1s

How to stop yelling/pulling chest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzObbNv78oA

Thanks Camille,

I'm experiencing the same situation as Sebastian (thanks for raising) and have found that the song a much bigger leap than the earlier days (I'm on the rest day of day 8 or 9). Should I just accept that I am struggling and continue on through the course or pause here to work on the exercises and videos you've linked?

Chris

Hi, Chris! Ideally you could choose a song that is within your range while you work on developing your high chest and mixed registration. Do any songs come to mind that you could use instead?

See here for an article with tips on choosing a good song for your voice, and see here for a lesson where I cover good songs for beginners, including:

Tenors:

Country - Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker); key of A, range of F#3-F#4

Alternative - Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol); key of A, range of E3-D4

Alternative - Wonderwall (Oasis); key of A, range of of F#3-F#4

Pop - Happier (Marshmello ft. Bastille); key of F, range of E3-F4 (chest); head voice to A4

Alternative - I will follow you into the dark (Death Cab for Cutie); key of F, range of C3-D4

Folk - Let her go (Passenger); key of Em, range of E3-E4

Baritones:

Country - Forever and ever Amen (Randy Travis); key of D, range of A2-B3

Pop - Shape of you (Ed Sheeran); key of E, range of G#2-B3 w/ optional octave layer on chorus (head voice to B4)

Pop/folk - Shotgun (George Ezra); key of F, range of C3-D4

Pop - Love yourself (Justin Bieber); key of E, range of B2-B3

Basses:

Country - Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash); key of G, range of F#2-A3

Alt/rock - Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National); key of A, range of E2-E3

Country - Long black train (Josh Turner); key of Bb, range of F2-Bb3