Saturday, May 7, 2011

Advice on Singing Techniques - Vibrato

By Pamela C Smith


You will often find singing techniques such as the vibrato being used very effectively and impressively by opera singers. But many beginners run away from this technique due to the assumption that it is a technique that is very difficult to master. It is also incorrectly termed as the false extension of the voice. Even though vibrato is difficult to learn it is most certainly a natural feature of the voice. Poor singing habits may stop you from developing vibrato so its important to get rid of them first. Vibrato can be used in any genre of singing so it is not unusual to see not only Pavarotti but also rock stars like David Bowie using it. Learning vibrato will be simpler with the guidelines given below.

The first thing to do before you incorporate vibrato in your singing is to determine if you really want to add it to your voice. Even though vibrato sounds most pleasant in the work of your favorite singer you have to understand that it must've taken him/her years of practice to develop it. So don't force yourself to sing vibrato because doing so will make you sound unpleasant. The best way is to consult a voice coach before making the decision.

Your posture is extremely important to your singing and the way you sound. Think of the body posture of an opera or classical singer. Its important to keep your body straight so that the sound is produced from the depths of your lungs. You cannot get the vibrato effect by singing from your throat.

How well you sing entirely depends on your breathing. A warm-up session with an adequate number of breathing exercises will not only condition the throat but also the lungs for deep breathing. The correct breathing technique to achieve the right notes is to breathe in deeply using the lower part of your lungs and exhaling slowly and steadily like you are breathing out through a straw.

Vibrato produces a very pleasant effect and to achieve it you will have to relax your body. All the parts of your body associated with singing such as neck, throat, head and shoulders should be relaxed. To relax yourself you can use simple stretching exercises before your performance.

Once you are done with these two steps you are good to go. You will have to start by singing the vowel sound 'ah' but be careful to maintain the note. Doing so will open your throat. It is important to not stress your voice while doing this activity. After a few days of diligent practice the vibrato will develop on its own. You can also use your fingers to manipulate the diaphragm as you breathe in order to quicken the process.




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