Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 12/1/2007

Question
Hi!
I have a problem...  I really sound strange when I switch from my clear singing voice to my head voice. I wanted to know if you could give me a few voice tips to help me expand my range and make it easier to change from normal singing voice to head voice!

Katharina

Answer
Hi Katharina.  Thanks for writing.  I usually do not answer on weekends so I apologize for the delay.

There could be a number of things going on here.  So I want to ask a few questions to get a little more info.  Why are you switching from your clear voice to your head voice?  Are you switching as you are going to the higher notes?  Have you been taking lessons or is this something you have just noticed on your own?

To expand a range, the best advice I can give is to do exercises that 1st- increase your breath support, and 2nd, that help to concentrate on one note at a time until it is clearly and strongly sung.

So, to increase breath support, it is important that you are singing from the diaphragm.  Are you doing that?  Or are you singing and breathing from your chest?

Practise breathing in and out using only the abdomen area by placing your hand on your abdomen and making your hand move in and out with your breath.  Your chest should not move at all.

Practise breathing also by taking a breath in to the abdomen (always to there) and then taking a few more short breaths in until you are full to capacity and hold it for a few seconds.  Then let it out.  This helps to expand the diaphragm.

Practise singing with this breath now.  Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.  So breathe in using the diaphragm and while breathing out through the mouth, sing a note and use the breath from the diaphragm to sing it clearly.  

Practice scales of notes using this exercise to increase range.  If you are doing it right, you might find that your abdomen gets tired.  That's ok.  It's being exercised and will get used to working this way in time.  

If you work on this for a good solid 1/2 hour a day or at least 3 times a week, you should see a change.  Any time you are singing a song, breathe this way.  (This is actually the best way to breathe as a person always too as it is energizing and deep.)

Does this help?  I know it is a long answer but I thought I would try to give you some suggestions.

Wanda