Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 7/5/2008

Question
Dear Wanda,

I guess I have two questions for you, with the first being related to the second.  I only started singing a year and a half ago in college, but have managed to increase my range to where I can sing Webber's Pie Jesu in relative comfort.  However, private lessons at college afford little warm-up time, so my A above middle C has never been the best.  Out of curiosity, I took one day to do a really good warm-up and attempted Christine’s cadenza in Phantom of the Opera, and managed to hit that high E but, while it was the correct pitch, it by no means sounded good.  Combined with this, I have absolutely no vibrato beyond the B above middle C, and even in lower notes the presence of vibrato can be iffy.  I was classified as a mezzo-soprano by my voice teacher and sang in the altos in choir, but having only sung lower-ranged songs on my own I’m not sure what my potential range is.

I guess my first question is this—is there a good practice way to increase my range to that high E?  I don’t feel any strain when I attempt it, but I do worry about causing damage.

And my second question is—is there a way to increase my vibrato? (I do have problems supporting my breathing, but I haven’t noticed a difference in vibrato when I have really good support).

Thank you,
Alexandra (sorry for the length of the question—not sure which information is relevant).

Answer
Hey Alexandra!  Thanks for writing.  These are good questions.

Have you ever done scales?  How about arpeggios?  Both are excellent ways to warm up and you can do them anywhere.  You don't have to know a song to do them and you can go as high as you want.  Are you able to hum?  Start with C major scale and go up by semi-tones.  Doing this regularly will help you warm up and will enable you to increase your range.  

When you are doing the scales, also concentrate on your breath support.  The more you do this regularly, the better you will get with your sound and your support.  

My guess is that as you work to make each note clear and get better and better that the vibrato will just come.  Vibrato comes when a person is relaxed and certain.  I would concentrate first on just getting the notes rather than on the vibrato.  Don't fight the vibrato that you have but don't concentrate on this.  This comes with practice.  

Does this help you?

Wanda