The Key to Vocal Freedom (Separation)

The Key to Vocal Freedom (Separation)

When it comes to developing your vocal technique and being able to sing through your range with more ease. The fundamental idea is SEPARATION.

Let me explain today. And I’ll also share with you how you can start to build this into your voice.

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

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Now last week I actually covered this in the format of a live lesson with one of my students. So if you want to see this implemented live, after this episode make sure to check out last weeks episode.

But for today. Let’s start here.

What do I mean by separation?

Singing involves different muscles.

Muscles that change the airflow.

Muscles that change volume

And also muscles that change pitch.

Now the fundamental challenge for most singers is this

How do I change pitch, without anything else changing?

Because think of it this way, the challenge for most of us when we are navigating range is this.

We start to change things that aren’t pitch.

As we sing higher, we push more air, we might open our mouth more or increase volume.

At it’s root it’s because we can’t separate the engagement of the muscles that CHANGE pitch and stretch thin out our vocals folds.

Instead we just clumsily engage EVERYTHING.

So a huge part of vocal training is learning to build in this separation.

Now whilst it’s simple in theory, it can still be tricky to actually execute. This is where a voice teacher like myself can really help make your journey smooth.

But let me share with you a simple progression of exercises that can help you start to feel this separation better today.

Step 1: Let’s just find a simple tap like this

[SEE VIDEO FOR DEMONSTRATION]

What this tap is doing, is training the muscles that bring the cords together.

Now notice 2 things

  1. The tap is precise

  2. And I’m not changing the volume

So if your tap is breathy or constantly changing you might want to work on this first.

Step 2: Let’s introduce pattern like this

[SEE VIDEO FOR DEMONSTRATION]

Rewind this and practice it a few times to get the pattern down first.

Even if you don’t get to the notes.

I want you to try NOT to change the volume or the vowel.

Because many of you might start to open the mouth more. You might close it more. You might bring in more volume or flip.

Keep your attention here first, and see if you can train yourself not to engage that part.

Because when you can,

Step 3: Introducing pitch change

Once you’re comfortable with not moving the vowel or moving the volume.

Let’s explore pitch change again

So now, on top of this feeling of steady vowel and volume. Can you get to the notes?

If you can! Ask yourself, what does it feel like?

For me personally it feels like the voice thins out a bit. It narrows, it sucks in. And the voice shifts up into my head a bit. Keep in mind it be different for you.

Another thing that can happen is it’ll feel initially like you’re trying to rub your belly and pat your head at the same time.

When you focus on not changing the vowel or volume. You might struggle to get to the note

Or you might get to the note. But you have to compromise the vowel/volume.

This is normal

Keep experimenting and chipping away at this daily and see if you can just make it easier.

Because the more you can do this, this is demonstrating better separation of these muscles.

Anyway! I hope this answers your question.

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