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VOCAL WORKSHOP 1…

WARMING UP!

WHY DO WE WARM UP THE VOICE BEFORE


PERFORMING?
WHY DO WE WARM UP THE VOICE BEFORE PERFORMING?

When you are singing you use the vocal


cords (soft tissue) and the inner muscles of the
larynx (the muscles that control the closing of your
cords). These both need to be treated kindly as
they're pretty delicate.

We need to stretch and relax the muscles before


we sing, just as we would warm up before going for
a run or lifting weights. Warming up loosens those
muscles, helps to remove excess mucous and
reduces the risk of injury.
ANATOMY OF THE VOICE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2pLJfWUjc8
PHYSICAL

ALPHABET TOES
BREATHING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc-_hoG4nec

Exercise 1
1.Breathe out through your mouth releasing all the air from your
lungs.
2.Once your lungs feel completely empty, relax your stomach
muscles, open your mouth and let the air flood back in.
3.Do this several times.
4.Now breathe in again and when you release the air add an 'sss'
sound. See how long you can hold it.
5.Try this again using 'shh' and 'fff' sounds. This will help to build
different vocal muscles.

Exercise 2
1.Close your eyes and spend a little time breathing in through your
Exercise 3
nose and out through your mouth. (When singing, you should
1.Counting four, breathe out whilst you bring your left
breathe in through your nose and out through your nose and
ear down to your shoulder.
mouth.)
2.Counting four, breathe in and bring your head up to
2.When breathing in, imagine the breath going down into the lowest
the starting position.
part of the lungs, keeping the shoulders down and relaxed.
3.Repeat with the right ear.
3.When breathing out, try to maintain your inflated shape, breathing
out slowly until you feel as empty as possible.
Lie on the floor on your back with your hands on your stomach. Breath in (inhale) and your hands will
rise. Now breathe out (exhale) and they will lower. In this position it is virtually impossible to breathe
incorrectly. Try to breath in the same way when you sing.

Hissing Snatched Breaths


1.Breathe in to the count of 4, breathe out, hissing, to the 1.Breathing in gradually, think of your
count of 4 lungs filling up in fractions, when you
2.Then, breathe in for 6, and hiss out for 10 count. Focus on the diaphragm, being
3.in for 6, out for 12 careful not to hold tension in the
4.in for 2, out for 12 throat.
5.in for 4, out for 16 2.On the count of '1' - breathe in (¼
6.in for 2, out for 16 full)
7.in for 4, out for 20 3.'2' - (½ full)
8.in for 1, out for 20 4.'3' - (¾ full)
The idea is to monitor your breathing, and ensure that you 5.'4' - (full)
can last through long phrases. Be economical with your 6.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - breathe out,
breathing. Make sure the hiss is consistent; that it is not gradually.
louder at the beginning than at the end. You are aiming for 7.Repeat, on the count of '1' - breathe
a smooth even sound. in (½ full) '2' - (full)
8.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - breathe out
gradually.
RESONANCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBoOyCLlCcU

 What are the


resonators?
Voiced sound is amplified and modified by the
vocal tract resonators (the throat, mouth cavity, and
nasal passages).

1. NG-AH (wand)
2. NG-EE (Seem)
3. NG-A (Same)
4. NG-AA (Apple)
5. NG-EH (When)
6. NG-UH (The)
7. NG-I (Him)
OPENING UP THE VOICE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_MvlGKwLh0

SCALES
 Always start in the
middle of your range
– don’t strain straight
away

Exercise 2
Exercise 1 1.Start in the middle of your range with the note that feels most
1.Starting within the most comfortable range for you, comfortable for you.
slowly go up and down like a police siren, throughout all 2.Hum 'mm' with mouth closed, gradually opening the mouth until
your vocal range, with an 'ng' sound. you're singing 'ah'.
2.Breathe as slowly as possible, and snatch a breath 3.Do this over the count of 8. Try to feel the resonance on your
when you run out, trying to ensure an almost perfect, lips and open up to a pure vowel sound.
continuous line. 4.Move up to a note and hum - 'mm' turning into 'eh' (as in 'bed')
3.You can do this exercise forever! But try different 5.Try a higher note with - 'mm' - 'ee'
variations, like trying your lips buzzing together; try with 6.Then try a lower note - 'mm' - 'or' (as in 'door')
your tongue trilling, or 'ooh'ing
7.And then lower again - 'mm' - 'ooh'
ARTICULATION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdFtrv2yGA

Articulation: The vocal tract articulators (the tongue, soft


palate, and lips) modify the voiced sound.
CREATE YOUR OWN WARM UP ROUTINE

 Using the sheet provided.


WORKSHOP LOG – FINISH FOR HOMEWORK

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