Description:
Three principles for range extension. Before we unpack them, here they are. One, start small. Two, expand gradually. And three, use semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. At the end of this video, we’ll practice with an exercise or two that incorporates all three.
Principle #1:
Start small. By that, I mean sing quietly. Using a softer dynamic will ensure that we’re placing as little pressure on the vocal folds as possible. But keep in mind that quiet doesn’t mean breathy.
Principle #2:
Expand gradually. When warming up your voice, and especially when you’re working on range extension, start within your comfortable range and stretch gradually from there. This is especially important for high notes, but it applies to low notes as well. In the same way that you don’t attempt the splits before stretching, we’re not going to jump to a crazy high or low note without warming up and inching towards it.
Side note: this principle should be applied within a warm-up session AND over time. Increasing your range takes dedicated practice. Be patient and track your progress over weeks and months, rather than expecting instant results.
Principle #3:
Use semi-occluded vocal tract exercises. I know that’s probably a new term, and you don’t need to memorize it. All you need to know is that with the following exercises, we’re closing off part of the vocal tract to sing with greater ease. The vocal tract essentially consists of the throat and mouth. More specifically, it’s the cavity above the larynx in which sound is filtered or resonates. We can partially occlude (or block off) part of the vocal tract with our lips, as we do when we hum or when we sustain a pitch on an “N” My favorite semi-occluded exercise is the lip roll or trill. A favorite of many singers, teachers, and vocologists today is the straw technique, in which you sing through a straw to achieve the same result.
Exercise time!
For our first range extension warm-up, we’ll be singing gentle slides on the pattern 1-3-1. I’ll be using an “NN”, but feel free to use a hum, a lip roll, or grab a straw to try the straw technique. Remember, we’re using a soft dynamic and starting in a comfy medium range before we expand out.
For our first range extension warm-up, we’ll be singing gentle slides on the pattern 1-3-1. I’ll be using an “NN”, but feel free to use a hum, a lip roll, or grab a straw to try the straw technique. Remember, we’re using a soft dynamic and starting in a comfy medium range before we expand out.
[Exercise #1: NN on 1-3-1]
Now let’s increase the range slightly, and try a different technique if you’re feeling adventurous. This time, I’ll use the lip trill. Our pattern is 1-5-1.
[Exercise #2: Trill on 1-5-1]
Lessons:
- 1: Introduction
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2:
Three Principles
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3:
Low Notes
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4:
High Notes
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5:
Conclusion
Instructor: Abram Poliakoff
Abram Poliakoff is a singer, guitarist, pianist, teacher, conductor, and composer. He received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts from USC’s Thornton School of Music and has been teaching music for 8 years. He is currently both the Associate Artistic Director and a tenor in the L.A. Choral Lab, which recently released its first studio album Sonic Visions in the fall of 2019. Abram teaches and performs a wide range of genres including Classical, Jazz, Folk and Popular music in the Los Angeles area. He has also sung with the San Francisco Opera and Pocket Opera in the Bay Area. His teaching mission is to help his students utilize vocal technique to find their authentic and healthy voice while maximizing genre flexibility and a naturalness of expression.