| Most singing teachers agree that both males and | | | | require a smaller opening between the cords. This |
| females have "head voice" as part of their sound. | | | | smaller opening allows less air to pass through |
| This term applies to the way the vocal cords vibrate | | | | without stress. When we try to push too much air |
| and work when we sing high notes. I will go into the | | | | pressure (volume) through the cords for higher notes |
| mechanics of the vocal cords in another article and in | | | | we cause them to work too hard resisting the extra |
| my courses, but for now let's just understand that | | | | air. This produces an overly-fat, amateurish sound |
| two strips of membrane in our larynx (adam's apple) | | | | which sounds forced and difficult. |
| we call vocal cords vibrate against each other, turning | | | | When we sing higher we "feel" we must work harder |
| air from our lungs into sound. For lower sounds (the | | | | to get those notes out. In fact, we need to back off |
| chest voice) the full length or the cords is used for | | | | some, feel the sound higher in our head, letting it thin |
| the action. Since higher sounds require smaller, shorter | | | | like the higher notes of the piano or guitar. |
| or thinner vibrations (think how a harp looks) the | | | | Try singing a sweeping continuous "ah" or "uh" vowel, |
| vocal cords must change in shape and size in order to | | | | starting at your lowest note and "sweeping" or sliding |
| make high notes. | | | | the continuous sound up to your highest notes. |
| As we sing higher notes our two vocal cords move | | | | Notice that you'll probably reach a point when it |
| closer together and begin to do what is called the | | | | seems you can go no higher. Lighten your sound |
| "zipper effect". Higher notes require a smaller opening | | | | there and begin to let it thin and feel higher in your |
| for the air to go through, so a small miracle occurs as | | | | head. Guys, if you go into the falsetto that's ok for |
| the cord begin to "zip" up, leaving a smaller and | | | | now. Let you voice do what it needs to do. Girls you'll |
| smaller opening. (Think of what a clothing zipper looks | | | | probably need to move into your head voice at |
| like as it zips up.) | | | | some point. That's ok. Just keep going, trying not to |
| So, when you think about it, it should take less air | | | | strain. |
| pressure to sing the high notes than the low ones, | | | | Do this exercise often, paying attention to how the |
| and it does. For low notes there is a big opening | | | | higher notes feel. Are you pushing and straining, or |
| between the cords where you can pass a lot of air | | | | are you just letting it sweep on up? |
| through without a lot of stress. And the high notes | | | | |