Tips
this week ask the Questions which ALL professional & student
Singers & Actors should be asking themselves & their teachers!
1. Do you have a low, lazy/weak soft palate producing Nasal
resonance? Should only be used for character choices! Simple exercises
correct this.
2. Have you corrected your Jaw Tension? Upper & lower jaw tension
act as a barrier to much better, balanced resonance & increased
upper range.
3. Do you have effective exercises to release your Tongue-Root Tension,
which can seriously depress your Larynx & block your upper range?
4. Do you have effective exercises to improve the elasticity, rise &
fall of your Larynx, as well as complete control over your Thyroid
tilt?
5. Do you know the diffence between the Muscles of Breathing &
Support? Are you in full control of a releasing diaphragm, whilst
Singing?
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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
Suggestions coming this week to help prevent & alleviate Vocal Problems which can be caused by our health concerns, such as Colds & Catarrh
1. Poor vocal function is sometimes caused by medical/health issues or physical damage, remedied by either common-sense or medical advice.
2. If Cold symptoms are confined to nose, sinuses & oro-pharynx, where vocal folds are not affected, it can be safe to sing for short periods.
3. Allergies can cause Vocal havoc! Be aware that alleviating medication may dehydrate the vocal folds & interfere with proper vocal function.
4. Oropharyngeal sore throats mean the infection hasn't reached the larynx & is safe to sing, but increased mucus can affect ease of resonance.
5. Persistent vocal hoarseness/tiredness may indicate vocal abuse or a more deep-seated problem & should be referred to a medical practitioner.
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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
Suggestions coming this week to help prevent & alleviate Vocal
Problems which can be caused by our habits in the food & drink
department!
1. The Larynx can be irritated by drinking alcohol & eating food too
close to bedtime, causing acid reflux & inflammation of the vocal
tract.
2. Carbonated drinks can increase stomach acidity leading to regurgitation
into the throat when burping, which can irritate the vocal folds.
3. Alcohol dehydrates the vocal folds impairing the way they function.
Avoid drinking alcohol before performing, & in moderation generally!
4. Caffeine in tea & coffee dehydrates the body & vocal folds; also
negatively affects the nervous system. Avoid consuming large amounts!
5. Smoking can seriously affect the singing voice by damaging the vocal
folds. Breathing is also undermined because of the damage to the lungs.
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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
1. Don't let anyone tell you to 'Just Relax'; you'd fall over! Singing
requires EFFORT from groups of Muscles in the body, neck, & vocal
tract.
2. I meet TOO many Singers being taught by their teachers to Support with
the Diaphragm! This is ONLY a Breathing Muscle. Seriously Alarming!
3. Are you in control of your Larynx & how it changes position to
access greater range & different Voice Qualities? A great singer
needs to be!
4. Training a voice is also building a voice! & once built MUST be
maintained on a daily basis with well thought out physical & vocal
exercises.
5. Common Problems which impede progress/good singing: Lazy Posture, No
Support, Locked Diaphragm, Stiff Jaw, Tongue-Root Tension, Driving Air.
Follow us at Facebook and Twitter!
- 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
1. Belt in singing can ONLY be used in the upper register ABOVE the upper
middle transition in any voice. Anything below is Speech quality.
2. Belt can be thought of as 'yelling'; we use Belt in both Speech & Singing.The danger is the tendency to drive air, which can lead to damage.
3. 2 things govern the use of Belt: Is it high enough, above the upper middle transition & Is it emotionally correct to produce a Belt sound?
4. Mezzos declaring themselves 'Belters' in Musical Theatre/Pop/Rock are very much mistaken! Belt can only be used above the transition: A/Bb
5. For SAFE Belt: Clavicular Breath, High Level of Neck & Body Support, High Larynx, High Wide Flat Tongue, Tilted Cricoid, Engaged Twanger.
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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
