A useful model for understanding how the singing voice works: a combination of physical mechanics (or ‘machinery’), and the mental-emotional process (‘inner game’) that drives it. Alexander Massey of is an international singer and singing teacher, based in Oxford, UK.
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Absolutely first class information. Such a pleasure to view in among all the misinformation being posted. Huge thumbs up from a colleague in France!
@chanteurmoderne Thanks for this. Unfortunately, freedom of speech also means licence for people to post misleading and even harmful teaching ideas on the web, all born of ignorance, and lack of careful research or accountability. (Sigh)
@voicewisdom Isn’t that the truth. One of my favorites to date was a very extravagant teacher explaining to a student that he had two, possibly three diaphragms… wow. There’s a new facebook page called VOCTEC where coaches of all kinds and backgrounds get together to exchange information – if you have a facebook, come along and join in the discussions!
It’s really so much nicer learning from someone who can articulate…namely a Brit, haha. Though we Americans do try to make up for our pitiful vocabularies with um, like, style? Know what I mean?
@singingfeces Kinda. Yeah. Ya know?
I just found your page. I can’t wait to dig into these videos and get serious about singing.
Looking Handsome today Mr. Massey
A great presentation. Telling it, very clearly, how it is. Oh, and I love your lengthy statements on your website. I couldn’t have put any of that better myself.
I watch the videos of some YouTube presenters on voice, and after a 15 minute presentation, they still haven’t managed to say anything of substance, or that accords with basic anatomy, function or acoustics!
I know, those acoustics are a real nuisance aren’t they? I’ve put traps down for mine:)
What’s a good exercise you can do to find your natural speaking voice?
There’s no one exercise for that. To find the the full natural core of the voice, whether singing or speaking comes from commitment to acquiring a body of knowledge, and a range of techniques and sensory learning. No quick fixes!
Hey, Alexander, I can hold a note without no strain for 16 seconds. Would you say this is good, or bad? Or should you be able to hold a note longer? I know Bill Withers did 18 seconds on Lovely Day.
This must be my day! I just managed to top Bill Wither’s 18 seconds. I must have good breath support, either that, or I’m just lucky. I don’t feel any strain at all on my larynx, which is pretty good too.
Length of note is not that relevant. The question is whether it was achieved healthily, and made a sound that expresses authentically what the words and music require.
I hope it was produced healthily. I didn’t use any strain whatsoever. I didn’t realise I’m actually a tenor, and not a high baritone, as I originally thought I was. I guess I wasn’t using correct vocal technique before, and now that I am, it has brought out my natural voice out that bit more.
Superb.You are a true professional!
+bertaga41 Thank you!
How many hours a day can a person practice singing? I heard that you shouldn’t sing more than 3 hours, otherwise it could destroy your voice.
The number of hours that a person can sing in a day depends on the quality of their technique. The better their technique, the longer they can sing without tiring.
I thought as much. I read on a website that it’s not advisable to sing more than 2 hours a day. My posture has improved a lot over the last couple of months. I tend to sing a lot better now I’ve corrected my posture.
Hi, Alexander Check out this channel Let me know if you agree with anything he says about singing. I’m not sure I believe everything he says.
There are many people on YouTube claiming to be able to teach singing well who, sadly, seem to know very little about anatomy and acoustics, or how to express ideas in a way that people can actually learn from them. When I find a piece of teaching that I think is helpful, I let people know about it.
How can you tell if a person is a tenor or a baritone? I thought it was to do with their speaking voice. High speaking voice = tenor and soprano and lower voice = Baritone and Mezzo-soprano and really low = Bass and Contralto. But, I’m probably wrong. Also, do you sing using the smile technique?
The size of the vocal folds may not vary at all between a tenor and baritone, and they may be able to sing in the same pitch range. But one would expect the baritone to have a ‘darker’ sound, i.e. generally a lower second formant in most vowel sounds, because of having a larger pharyngeal resonating space. There could be a similar distinction between mezzo-sopranos and sopranos, though, of course, one can have very high tenors or sopranos who can pitch higher than baritones or mezzos. Yes, a bass would be a lower pitch range, because of larger folds. A true female alto / contralto is rare. Most are really mezzos who can sing low. A true contralto would be someone who could not access the highest pitches of a mezzo.
what are the three sections which combine to form the mechanics of the voice
What parts of the mouth are able to change the shape of the resonating system?
Come on guys!
Who came here for an assignment
1. Breathing system 2. Vibrating source (vocal folds & laryngeal setup) 3. Resonating system. And you should add a fourth element: the brain. This is part of our physical self, and it runs the other 3 systems.
Lips, jaw, tongue, soft palate, side and back walls of the oropharynx.
what is the language made up of
The formation of words is achieved with the resonating spaces.
only here for a drama assignment bruh
Guys I’m doing this for a drama assignment any one else 😉 btw thank you for a better understanding
hahaha same
hi bella and chelsea
what is the language made up of ?