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.
I have been singing alto for 7 years, when one day I was aked to sing soprano in our church choir as there weren't enough soprano's to fullfill the choir requirements. From that day forward I have been singing soprano and decided to go for opera lessons , as it has been a passion of mine to sing opera since I was a child.
After my first lesson, it was confirmed that I am a soprano. I have been for opera lessons for 4 months and I have reached E note (2,5 octaves above middle c) However, I feel like I am singing a bit flat. My coach sais the my voice placement will take time to master. But I am so frustrated because with the open vowels I also battle with placement and my voice tends to go back into my throat. I was just wondering if you know of any arias that would help me with voice placement, especially with open vowels?
Any advice on voice placement would be greatly appreciated,
Kind Regards
Luzaan Du Preez
Durban, South Africa.
Answer Hi Luzaan,
I would keep working with your teacher but he/she should be able to explain to you why you are singing flat. It could be because you have to much chest pull vs. headvoice. One thing you might try - make sure you show your upper teeth when you sing the high notes. That moves the resonance more "forward" - also make sure that you larynx is down - when it raises (usually from tension) it creates less space and affects the resonance. Also make sure you are supporting the sound with the breath...
Try using the EE vowel - that will bring the voice more forward than AH or OO.. then just move from EE to OH to AH and try to keep the placement the same. Keep your jaw loose (without tension) and down (if the mouth is open and jaw is down the larynx cannot raise up (it will a little but not a lot)....
Also - try to vocalize using the thin edges of the cords (that is work the voice with just the headvoice - without any weight) - do this only as an exercise!
But ultimately you need a teacher who understands how to coordinate the headvoice and chest voice. If your teacher is not helping you, perhaps you should look around.
But keep working - it's great that you are so self aware of the inbalance of your voice...
