Can't get into falsetto? (Singing Lesson For Beginners)

If you’re having trouble with falsetto. This episode is for you.

Now typically on this channel, often I’m trying to get you guys to learn to change pitch over a speaking volume or connection. Since most students tends to fiddle and they’ll either push or naturally flip into falsetto.

But for some students, I’ve actually noticed the other way. Their voice is too coordinated and they can’t seem to get into an easy falsetto.

Let’s explore about this together today and I’ll share with you how to

(1) Find that more floaty and free falsetto coordination

(2) And then once you’re there, how to build control in this coordination so you can bring it to this song

Real quick! For those of you who don’t know me. My name is Ivan, I love making music and also teaching singing to students all around the world. On this newsletter my goal is to make learning to sing simple. If that’s up your lane, consider subscribing. If you want to improve your voice faster, check out the links down below for ways to work with me

If you want to inspire our next episode! Drop in the comments below what you want me to talk about next.

What’s falsetto?

Now for the purposes of this video, this is the sound I define falsetto as.

[See video for demonstration]

Some might call it head voice, you can call it whatever you want.

Now there’s a few things that make this sound

(1) Our vocal folds need to stretch enough to get to the pitch

Whether you’re in falsetto or something with more connection. The cords still stretch to get to the note.

(2) The cords don’t vibrate deeply together as they resist airflow

Instead they vibrate on the edge. This is what gives it a lighter sound.

Now I’m going assume that you know these terms. If you’re unfamiliar, go back and check out episode 219 or 220.

Now this is useful because I find that with singers who struggle with getting into an easier falsetto.

It’s because of one of these conditions aren’t being met i.e. they don’t stretch enough or they can’t seem to get the cords to vibrate with less deeper connection.

And instead they’ll try to get these sounds with other ways like blowing through more air. Which often creates more effort behind the sound.

So here’s a little exercise to help with this

Step #1:

We’re going to start on an octave scale, and we’re going to trying find the flip

[See video for demonstration]

The flip is important because especially for some of us who are used to coordinating deeper, this is a sign that we’ve actually gone to vibrating on the edges.

Now for some of you. This might be one that takes the longest time to get, since you’re so used to keeping the cords together. That’s okay, stay here and keep experimenting.

Here are some cues to help with this

1. It shouldn’t feel harder! If anything, there might be less pressure behind the sounds because the cords aren’t resisting as much airflow

2. Try to experiment with different sounds. Typically OO is an easy one. But not always

Step #2:

Once you can find it, let’s try to build some control here by learning to change pitch in this coordination.

[See video for demonstration]

If it’s shaky, don’t worry too much.

Let it be and give it time to figure it self out. The voice just needs time to coordinate itself.

Now remember, just like with some of our other exercises. Try to change only pitch.

If you notice, you’re pushing air, or getting louder. Try it again.

By only changing pitch, this will force you to isolate the muscles that stretch the folds.

Step #3:

Finally, we want to try get these coordinations into a song. Now there is a process to this.

But basically you want to try to expand the contexts in which you can access this coordination.

For example, you might try to shape different words around this coordination.

Then you might try to sustain.

You might try more intricate scales.

The more you can build it outside of a song, the higher chance you’ll be able to bring it back to a song.

If it’s of use, I’ve talked this in more depth on episode 222. So I would highly recommend checking this out.

Anyway! I hope this answers your question.

If you found this episode useful, please share or give it 5 star wherever you’re listening from. This really helps spread the word and means the world to me. If you’d like to study with me, links are down in description. Take care!

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