Expert: Sean Martinfield - 6/14/2011

Question
Dear Sean,

I'm a soprano in my early 20s, and was wondering what it takes to sing in your whistle register. Does everyone have this ability? I have a very high set/"sounding" voice with lots of flexibility, but I can only go as high as a D6, sometimes Eb6 (I can get to am E6 on lip trills but only when I'm trilling). I find this frustrating, as it seems like most of the trained singers around me can go much higher than this without must effort. I know like to control the sound instead of singing with freedom, so perhaps I tighten and raise my larynx too much when I try to sing high, and that's what's stopping me. I would really like to get over this bump, as I feel it's holding me back from singing rep that would otherwise suite my voice. Are there exercises I could try that would help explore this range, or is this something that will come when it's ready?

I also struggle in my passaggio (A5-Bb5). Whenever I sing these three notes, they are either too held or too pushed. I have a good foundation of technique, but singing those notes never feels totally free. Do you know of exercises that would help smooth out my passaggio? My teacher is having me do light sirens through those notes, but I can't tell if it's helping or not.

Thanks for your advice!

Kristina

Answer
Hello, Kristina –

Thank you for the question.

What repertoire are you now performing with measures that include High A-flat or above to High C?

Early 20s translates to 21–23. With or without an E-flat or E-natural above High C – by now, you should have enough material in your repertoire to fill-out at least three solo concerts. If you are aiming for a career in the Classical world, by this point you would have earned or are about to earn your B.A. in Music as a voice major and entering a Masters program or trying-out for advanced training programs such as the Merola here in San Francisco.

"Whistle register"?

All my sopranos exercise to High D, most go higher. That means their High C is performance-ready. All my coloratura sopranos exercise to the F above High C, some go higher. It all happens through a wide variety of disciplined scale work. There is no other answer. Lip trills are lip trills. They will not provide you the solutions you are seeking.

My job as a professional vocal coach is to determine your true vocal category and then train you accordingly. As the training progresses, it includes working on repertoire through which you apply the acquired techniques. Ultimately, it's all about placement – from moment to moment and phrase to phrase according to the demands of the material.

I have to hear you to help you. Ideally, that happens in person. It's not enough for me to say "sing scales" – I must guide you through them. Obviously, there are a number of shifts that happen in the 2-octave stretch between Middle C and High C and higher. The goal is to balance out the sound so that there are no noticeable shifts either on the ascension or descension.

Something to think about – there are such voices as coloratura mezzo-sopranos, such as Marilyn Horne. It may be that you have such a voice. With respect to your present training, it may account for your challenges with the High A and B-flat.

If you have some samples of your work available on-line, I will be happy to listen to them and offer you some feedback.

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

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Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
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