Getting Started with SOVT's, Vocal Fry, Speaking to Singing
From: How to Gradually Sing Lowerby Camille van Niekerk
Description:
Welcome to part 1: getting started! Quickly before we start singing, here are a few tips and principles to carry with you for each and every low-note exercise we learn!
1. Consider the time of day. Most singers have an easier time singing low in the morning, before they’ve warmed up.
2. Maintain a relaxed, neutral posture. Resist the urge to tuck your chin down for those low notes.
3. Embrace the principle that “less is more”. In general, low notes require less air, space, and energy than high notes do. So in other words, don’t push.
4. Use the technique of opposition. Instead of thinking “low”, “down”, and “heavy”, think “up”, “forward”, “light and lifted”.
Our first exercise can be done on any semi-occluded vocal tract configuration. What’s that? That’s occluding, or blocking, the vocal tract partway, in order to provide helpful backpressure on the vocal folds, making it easier to phonate. My favorite SOVT is the lip roll; feel free to experiment with VV, ZZ, BB, or singing through a straw.
[Exercise: SOVT 5-3-1-3-5]
Another vocal technique many singers use to explore their low range is vocal fry. It’s actually a distinct vocal register, called the pulse register, below your chest voice. As lightly and gently as possible, try that vocal fry with me, any pitch. Feel free to pause and explore this register on your own! We’ll take it into an exercise that sounds like this: [sing].
We start with fry, into the syllable WHUH.
[Exercise: Vocal fry-WHUH 1-2-1]
Our last exercise getting started is to find our low note placement with our speaking voice. Don’t be in singer mode here! Just speak the word “no” on pitch, and then sustain it.
[Exercise: Speak to sing “No - No”]
Good work! When you’re ready, onto part 2.
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.