Teaching the young voice: A studio

approach to adolescent singers

Teaching the young voice: A studio

approach to adolescent singers

Welcome to the “Twilight Zone”Welcome to the “Twilight Zone”

•Obvious Physical Changes in adolescent singers:

•Obvious Physical Changes in adolescent singers:

Growth Spurts…both male and female. A reluctance to sing Timbre change in the mid-range Change in the speaking voice Decrease of upper range Complete loss of upper range

Growth Spurts…both male and female. A reluctance to sing Timbre change in the mid-range Change in the speaking voice Decrease of upper range Complete loss of upper range

Hidden signs of change…Hidden signs of change…

Strain Neck tension Jaw tension Jutted jaw Lifting of head

All of the above are due to the rapid physical changes and loss of “proprioception”.

Strain Neck tension Jaw tension Jutted jaw Lifting of head

All of the above are due to the rapid physical changes and loss of “proprioception”.

ProprioceptionProprioception

A Sixth Sense Proprioception, the sensation of joint motion

and acceleration is the sensory feedback for motor control and posture.

It is an outgrowth of the nervous system as a means to keep track of movements and control of different parts of the body.

A Sixth Sense Proprioception, the sensation of joint motion

and acceleration is the sensory feedback for motor control and posture.

It is an outgrowth of the nervous system as a means to keep track of movements and control of different parts of the body.

How does this affect a singer in voice change?How does this affect a

singer in voice change?

We all know where our larynx is located. We subconsciously breathe and begin to

sing. This is called “vocal onset” We “sensate” low notes and high notes.

We all know where our larynx is located. We subconsciously breathe and begin to

sing. This is called “vocal onset” We “sensate” low notes and high notes.

Physical Vocal Changes in Young Males

Physical Vocal Changes in Young Males

The Cartilage of the larynx moves forward (the Adam’s apple) causing the male vocal folds to stretch and grow as much as 60% in males and 34% in females.

During this process stress can make singing futile.

The Cartilage of the larynx moves forward (the Adam’s apple) causing the male vocal folds to stretch and grow as much as 60% in males and 34% in females.

During this process stress can make singing futile.

Make your students aware!

Make your students aware!

Laryngeal change will affect your performing groups from elementary school through high school (even college!!)

Males AND females are affected.Take the time to explain the physical

change to the whole group. Have it be important to all! Peer support is crucial!

Laryngeal change will affect your performing groups from elementary school through high school (even college!!)

Males AND females are affected.Take the time to explain the physical

change to the whole group. Have it be important to all! Peer support is crucial!

Dr. Anthony Baressi’s method to determine

where to place the singer.

Dr. Anthony Baressi’s method to determine

where to place the singer.

1. Ask the boy (or girl) to count backwards from 30 aloud.

2. Listen for the prevalent pitch for the speaking voice and find it on the keyboard

3. This is the Fundamental Frequency. 4. This is usually 3 to 4 semitones above

his lowest comfortable singing range.

1. Ask the boy (or girl) to count backwards from 30 aloud.

2. Listen for the prevalent pitch for the speaking voice and find it on the keyboard

3. This is the Fundamental Frequency. 4. This is usually 3 to 4 semitones above

his lowest comfortable singing range.

After doing this, it will be evident where the strongest clearest voice is. There will be raspy sounds where the voice “mixes”.

If you keep them singing within your groups they will make progress!

If you stop them from singing it will take more time for them to go through the vocal change.

BE POSITIVE!! Nuturing!

After doing this, it will be evident where the strongest clearest voice is. There will be raspy sounds where the voice “mixes”.

If you keep them singing within your groups they will make progress!

If you stop them from singing it will take more time for them to go through the vocal change.

BE POSITIVE!! Nuturing!

What should be your priorities?

What should be your priorities?

Vocal health first, competitions later. Stress-free singing, repertoire later. Education and understanding of

physical changes. Charts, movies, articles STRESS-FREE exercises STRESS-FREE singing

Vocal health first, competitions later. Stress-free singing, repertoire later. Education and understanding of

physical changes. Charts, movies, articles STRESS-FREE exercises STRESS-FREE singing

What is difficult for singers in change?

Large intervals, singing from chest register to head register.

Some vowels are tough. It varies in each students

Loud singing

Extremely soft singing

What is difficult for singers in change?

Large intervals, singing from chest register to head register.

Some vowels are tough. It varies in each students

Loud singing

Extremely soft singing

Teaching techniquesTeaching techniques Before warm ups, always do breathing exercises. Initially warm up softly!! Encourage the student not to lift the chin up while singing. Use voiced consonants in exercises (Z, M, V) to

encourage good onset. Keep the exercises within a third for changing voices. Encourage the use of their whole range with lip trills or

buzzing. “Breath in the vowel” “Release by taking in a breath” Sopranos and Tenors should exercise in a descending

pattern Basses and Altos in an ascending pattern

Before warm ups, always do breathing exercises. Initially warm up softly!! Encourage the student not to lift the chin up while singing. Use voiced consonants in exercises (Z, M, V) to

encourage good onset. Keep the exercises within a third for changing voices. Encourage the use of their whole range with lip trills or

buzzing. “Breath in the vowel” “Release by taking in a breath” Sopranos and Tenors should exercise in a descending

pattern Basses and Altos in an ascending pattern