Week 23: Tongue Root Tension

Dealing with the  problem of  Tension in the Root of the Tongue this week, often referred to as Tongue Root Tension.
1. Muscles can lose the ability to relax, and so they remain contracted, which can interfere with the work of other muscles around them.
2. Tension in the root of the tongue can occur because there are several muscle groups at work, & sometimes they may be working in opposition.
3. Tongue Root Tension can be eased by stretching the tongue. Poke it out to its full length & then release it. The Tongue now feels stretched.
4. Tongue Twisters such as “red lorry, yellow lolly”, and tongue trills on an “rrr” are also useful in releasing Tongue Root Tension.
5. Advanced Exercise: Stretch the Tongue Tip backwards & upwards towards the Soft Palate, & sing a rising scale on 'HL, HL, HL, HL.....'
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- Ross Campbell
Professor of Singing, Royal Academy of Music, London
Director & Head of Singing, Musical Theatre Ireland, MTI
Award winning Author for ABRSM Songbooks 1 – 5
1-to-1 Vocal Training & Consultations available
www.rosscampbell.biz
www.musicaltheatreireland.ie
www.rosscampbelluk.blogspot.com

Week 22: Jaw Tension

Dealing with the common problem of Jaw Tension this week.
1. When muscles in the jaw are persistently contracted and tense, the jaw will appear stiff and articulation will be restricted.
2. If Jaw Tension is present there'll probably also be tension in the root of the tongue, neck & shoulders. Various exercises will alleviate.
3. Muscles release when stretched. To ease tension, turn the head to the left, then back to the centre, then to the right & back to the centre.
4. Exercise: Place the lower teeth on the upper lip, make an “fff” sound & pull the jaw down vigorously, sucking in rather than exhaling.
5. The muscles being exercised by yesterday's action work in opposition to the muscles which clench the jaw. Balance is therefore restored. :-)

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- Ross Campbell
Professor of Singing, Royal Academy of Music, London
Director & Head of Singing, Musical Theatre Ireland, MTI
Award winning Author for ABRSM Songbooks 1 – 5
1-to-1 Vocal Training & Consultations available
www.rosscampbell.biz
www.musicaltheatreireland.ie
www.rosscampbelluk.blogspot.com

Week 21: Issues of Nasality

Dealing with the issues of Nasality this week, which is neither correct nor incorrect; a matter of choice.
1. Nasality is the sound produced when the voice resonates predominantly in the nose. This is not always desirable, as it muffles the tone.
2. Constant nasality arises from the inappropriate use of nasal resonators due to the muscles of the soft palate not functioning correctly.
3. Nasality is caused when the back of the Soft Palate is drooping down. The resonance is then diverted from the mouth to the nasal cavities.
4. Singing Teachers should be conversant with the Tensor & Levator Palatini muscles of the Soft Palate & know exercises which strengthen them!
5. Nasality is not always incorrect! Nasality is often required in defining a character, such as a Panto Witch, or a Bronx New Yorker acting.

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- Ross Campbell
Professor of Singing, Royal Academy of Music, London
Director & Head of Singing, Musical Theatre Ireland, MTI
Award winning Author for ABRSM Songbooks 1 – 5
1-to-1 Vocal Training & Consultations available
www.rosscampbell.biz
www.musicaltheatreireland.ie
www.rosscampbelluk.blogspot.com

Week 20: False Vocal Folds

Dealing with the serious problem of Constriction of the False Vocal Folds this week.
1. The sound of Constriction is when the voice sounds squeezed and unpleasantly rough. The air is not flowing easily across the vocal folds.
2. The rasping sound of Constriction indicates that the FALSE vocal folds are unhealthily interfering with the action of the TRUE folds.
3. Major Constriction is easily recognised by us when singing higher pitches: A burning prickle in the larynx causing us to cough & eyes water!
4. Singers need to ensure that the air flow is being properly controlled by the breath support system and not by tension at the larynx.
5. Any tension within the larynx will usually be caused by the action of the false vocal folds. These may be retracted by silent laughing.

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- Ross Campbell
Professor of Singing, Royal Academy of Music, London
Director & Head of Singing, Musical Theatre Ireland, MTI
Award winning Author for ABRSM Songbooks 1 – 5
1-to-1 Vocal Training & Consultations available
www.rosscampbell.biz
www.musicaltheatreireland.ie
www.rosscampbelluk.blogspot.com