Expert: Pamela Thomas - 11/2/2008

Question
Hi-
I was recently looking at some diagrams from a book written by Lilli Lehman on How to Sing.  And, many years ago I basically learned to draw it up higher when I was told to pretend like I had a hole on the roof of my mouth andto pull it up and  blow it out the top of my head (like a whale's spout) and project it forward.
I found that i needed that, almost visual for me, to  achieve that.  I am interested in other techniques like this one to see if there are other places that I can find within myself that I haven't found before.  Any suggestions, books, etc.
Thanks so much
Heather

Answer
Hi Heather,

I am a very strong believer in having singers study with a qualified, good voice teacher.  It is very hard to teach yourself because you cannot hear what you are doing (because your instrument is inside your body).  I hope you are studying.  If not, can you find a good teacher?  It's hard for me to describe a vocal technique - to your point, each singer is different and the visual images and language we use is unique for each student.

See, I can't tell exactly what you do with your voice if you are blowing it out of the top of your head.  I would have to hear you and see what you were doing.

I will say that there are many techniques (or many ways to get to the right sound) - one I use is to think of pronouncing your consonents and vowels in the front but maintain an open throat all the while.  It's hard for you to really understand what I mean - but it's something that I could show you.

So, please try to find a good teacher and he/she will really be able to help you.  If you live near a good music school - I would inquire there for a voice teacher.  Or you could take a vocal pedagogy class - that's where you would find discussions of vocal techniques.

Here is a website that lists some of the books on pedagogy:  http://www.vocalist.org/vocalist_books.html  - Cornelius Reid is one of the most well known.  It's great to read these books - but you really must find a teacher!

Good luck!

Pamela