Vocal Course Lesson 1

Overview"what this lesson is about"

Breathing and Mouth Position

Singing can be a beautifully simple activity, as long as everything is working properly. In this video we’re going to keep it simple and talk about two things that you need to know to get started with singing

• Breathe in Stomach Out
• Keep your mouth open and relaxed

Watch The Video

Breathe In Stomach Out

Your diaphragm is a sheet like muscle that controls air. Good singing requires that you actively control air from the diaphragm by practicing Breathe In Stomach Out:

• As you inhale, feel your stomach expand and move out
• As you exhale or sing, feel your stomach contract and move in

Keep your mouth open and relaxed

There are many small muscles that control your singing. Tension in the mouth and the surrounding muscles can interfere with the good muscles that we use to sing well. By keeping your mouth open and relaxed, you can find a more powerful singing voice. As a rule of thumb, keep your mouth open by spacing your teeth

• One finger’s width for “ee” (feet) and “oo” (boot)
• Slightly more for “eh” (let) and “oh” (no)
• Two finger’s width for “ah” (father) and “a” (cat)

Practice Routine

Practice Time : 7 days, 15 minutes a day

Before you start, choose a song and record yourself singing. This will be referred to as Song 1

(Choose a song that is well within your vocal range. Choose a song that you enjoy singing and that suits your own style.)

You’ll want to have something to look back on later once you’ve practiced for a week to see your progress. As you begin to practice this week, avoid long strenuous singing sessions that may stress your vocal cords. Short, regular practice will maximize your progress.

To practice, sing these vowels along with the Scale 1 and then Scale 2 :

• Ah (father)
• Eh (let)
• Ee (feet)
• Oh (no)
• Oo (boot)

Follow these principles as you practice:

• Practice breathe in stomach out
• Keep your mouth open and relaxed
• Avoid pushing your voice to sing loud on the higher notes
• If your voice feels tired or scratchy, stop and rest
• Do your best to blend chest voice and head voice