Let your voice be heard #3

Vocal chords start the sound, but resonance is the true secret to vocal volume and richness. Resonance amplifies sound. It also adjusts the colour and tone of the voice by intensifying certain vocal qualities over others. Most vocal resonance occurs in the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities. The two extremes of resonance are “head voice,” which is where high sounds resonate, and “chest voice,” which is where low sounds resonate. A rich voice resonates largely in the mask, or the front of the face (nose and mouth).

            Here are some exercises to create richer voice resonance.

−      Hum any note at a comfortable pitch.

−      Hum until you feel the vibration in your tongue and lips, behind and above your mouth.

−      Add on words to your hum and try and keep the sensation going. For example, “Hummmmmm…one; Hummmmm…two” etc

−      Chant the sounds in the figure 8 on a single prolonged breath. Next add in the consonants m, n, p, b (eg: mah, may, mee, may, mah, mor, moo, mor, mah) 

            Once you get the idea, combine this exercise with the previous ones for a longer    routine.