AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Expert: Pamela Thomas Date: 7/15/2008 Subject: Operatic Fallsetto
Question Hi Pamala,
I have a few qustions about fallsetto for men. I really enjoy listening to a singer form a rock band named "Journey." The singer's name is Steve Perry. His voice is very high. What interests me is that it is not just here and there but rather he consistantly can sing in this very high range. I have seen him sing live and he hits all the notes "dead on." I was reading an interview and he said that he uses an operatic fallsetto for a fuller rounder tone. I tell you that you can't even differentiate when he crosses over into the falsetto. It sounds like a full voice.I was wondering what that is exactly (Operatic falsetto) and if there are any excercises that I could do to work on aquiring this technique? I am literate in music so if you do decide to respond with excercises describing the keyboard I will understand.
Also, while I have your ear... what is the difference between this and head voice and are there excercises for developing the head voice you might share?
Also...if I may be so bold and infringe on your kindness...is there anything (Yes excercises again) that you could share that would really focus me in on pitch?
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read these questions.
I am eagerly looking forward to gaining some direction in these techniques.
Chris
Answer Hi Chris,
It's almost impossible for me to explain on this without demonstrating - I will say the best thing you can do is find a very good teacher and take some lessons. That way you will be able to see/hear in person the difference between falsetto and headvoice, etc.
The falsetto uses only the thin edges of the vocal chords. Only the edges of the vocal folds vibrate - the rest of the fold is relaxed. When you sing in headvoice the whole cord vibrates.
There's a pretty good explanation of the vocal registers on Wikipedia (search for falsetto and you'll see the article)
As for exercises - my teacher has men sing a note in falsetto (maybe start at D above middle C) and then (without breathing or interrupting the sound switch the sound to full voice (that is let the whole cord vibrate). You can also sing triads in falsetto (CEGEC; DF#AF#D, etc) - sing EE or AH.
But learning to sing in falsetto or headvoice means learning how to sing without tension (or with the right kind of tension). That's why I urge you to take some lessons. If you are in the NYC area I'd be happy to see you - if not, check out www.nats.org and check "find a teacher" on the left.
I'm not sure what you are asking with your pitch question - so if you can explain further I'd be happy to try to answer. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful in print!
