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The secret of a grand voice May 21 2013, 0 Comments
The "secret" of a grand voice
The secret of a strong, beautiful voice is in the tongue, or more precise, the hyo-glossi muscles. If this pair of muscles is weak, one cannot keep the vocal organ in correct position when producing sound. If one can learn to control and then strengthen these muscles, the voice will start to develop in wonderful ways. Take singing voice lessons to improve your singing ability.
"Very few people are born with the vocal organ fully developed in strength, yet all organs can be strengthened and built up, no matter how weak they may be; and no matter how strong a vocal organ is, it can be improved."
"A superior voice is not developed by forcing a weak or imperfect organ to sing scales or other exercises for months and years. The secret of a grand voice lies in the vocal organ itself.
The organ must first be made strong and flexible before it can produce the desired voice. In a perfect vocal organ, expression and singing are as natural as breathing. Learn this and more from the singing voice lessons course".
The Vocal Attack
When an experienced and trained pianist strikes the keys on the piano, it is called the "piano touch" and the real artist is known by his "touch," In the violin, the "bowing" is the deciding factor of the tone. In the wind instruments this is called the "embouchure."
By knowing the exact way to obtain the best possible tone with the least effort or loss of motion, the instrument player reveals himself either as an artist or inferior amateur.
Likewise, the speaker and the singer is known as an artist through the quality of his tone. In the voice this is called the "vocal attack." When the entire vocal organism or, in other words, the vocal instrument operates together instantaneously, without friction, without waste or hesitancy, so that the tone pours out of the mouth in delicious waves of tone, then the vocal attack is perfect.
But when there is any hesitation, any hardness, any huskiness or admixture of breath with the voice, then the vocal attack is inferior or poor in direct proportion to the obstructions which caused the poor attack.
Even more strikingly is this true of the voice; for the human voice is by far the finest and noblest of all instruments. But just for this reason, it is more easily misused and abused than any other.
The beginning of a vocal sound is called the "vocal attack." All previous methods have failed entirely in this respect. None of them have come anywhere near locating the exact point of vocal attack. Some have taught that the attack was a certain contraction of the diaphragm; some claim that the abdomen must be pushed outward while attacking a tone; others claim the abdomen must be drawn inward.
Again, it has been taught that the attack is in the chest; or that it is in the larynx; that the vocal cords close the air passage before the tone; that the attack must be made through the palate, or by means of pressing the tongue tip against the teeth. A regular witches Sabbath reigns among the different schools as to the point of the "vocal attack."
The reason why there is so much confusion on this subject is that the exact facts in regard to the voice were hitherto unknown. Teachers, singers and orators looked for symptoms within their bodies. Each one could notice different symptoms and each believed himself to be right. Thus we had only "opinions" and guesswork to start from, and one man's guess is as good as another's.
Singing lessons online may differ in how each tackles the subject. Hence, all the misunderstandings, and the illogical, incorrect voice culture methods. The reason why so many persons with naturally good voices do not develop them further, or, worst of all, ruin them, is mainly this, that, not knowing the exact attack, they abuse their voices, just as a pianist playing with stiff fingers, hands and arms could never make any great progress and would finally even lose what technique he had by nature.
A supple, flexible condition of the voice organ is absolutely necessary for the free emission of a tone, and this supple, flexible condition can only be obtained when the right attack has been attained.
You can learn more about the vocal attack and development of the voice organ through our online singing lessons, free to try out before you decide if we have the right singing lessons online for you.
"The vocal attack is made entirely through the action of the tongue, or, more exactly, through the instantaneous and automatic contraction of the Hyo-Glossus Muscle, which connects the tongue with the larynx below and the palate above it.
Much will be said about this muscle in the course of our singing voice lessons. For the present it is sufficient to know that it is this muscle especially which is the keystone to the vocal organ, hence our study must in the very beginning start with this muscle. It is in very truth the key which will open the door for your vocal success."
More testimonials May 06 2013, 0 Comments
"This is really interesting stuff, I purchased this course (a little skeptical cause I have been taking singing lessons and the importance of the tongue was never addressed) and pretty quickly I have been able to perform the "tongue groove" and has now advanced in the course and is working to strenghten it. (You should put up a video on the site where the tongue groove is performed, it would be better than black and white pictures). Anyway, things are really starting to happen and my range and smoothness is improving rapidly! Even though there are no sound files or anything, the course really does a good job of explaining in plain english how the voice actually works, something my previous voice teacher never really could. I am only on lesson 12 so far and still have a bit to go but I highly recommend this course based on my experiences so far!"
Keith, Exeter UK
"Thanks! This is what I have been looking for! I have been so frustrated and spent a lot of money trying to develop my voice som that my dream of singing will come true. Everyday after I have performed these exercises, my voice was actually worse than before and I became discouraged, but after a little while I could see that my tongue muscles were tired the day after, like after going to the gym. After a few days of rest, I could tell that my voice was definately improving, and after a while it is really easy. Most other concerns like breathing and so on is also explained. I now practise for 20 minutes a day, looking like a fool perhaps but my speaking voice has REALLY improved over just 2 months, and I hope to be able to gain enough strength to use my voice for singing higher notes than I previously was able to do. I am really excited about the progress I have made in only a short period of time."
Gisela, Germany
"I stumbled upon this site by accident and I tried to make the tongue groove as described in the free lesson but it was impossible for me at first. I have an old friend who is a great singer and over the years I have been asking her about exercises to do and she taught me some breathing exercises to do but that changed nothing for me. Then I asked her to sing "ah" for me with her mouth open and to my surprise, she had a groove in her tongue that she was not aware of. The higher the note, the more her tongue made the groove. This made me invest in this course and after 3 weeks I could do the tongue groove at will. My voice is starting to change but I still cannot use it to its full power but progress is made almost everyday. I will continue doing these exercises daily."
Oliver, Seattle WA
The breath July 29 2012, 0 Comments
Many singers and speakers experience at times a nervous, uneasy feeling of weakness. The chest falls and sinks together; there is a lack of breath and they feel a great weakness particularly in the region of the stomach. From these symptoms they conclude that a weakness of breath is the cause of the weakness of voice. In fact, this idea is quite generally taught, but it is incorrect. Bad breathing is due to bad speaking or bad singing. If the muscles which stretch the vocal cords are too much relaxed or too weak they cannot close the air passage tightly enough and the breath meets with no resistance. When the vocal cords are firmly drawn together, only a very little breath can squeeze through, but whenever the cords are relaxed and separated, the breath bursts through in quantities with each sound and is therefore quickly exhausted and if one continues speaking without very frequent inhalations, he does so only at the expense of muscular strain. Hence the weariness felt in the chest and the diaphragm.The almost universal mistaken view, that loss of breath or weakness of the breathing organs are the cause of poor voice needs to be fully exposed. The singing voice lessons course teaches you to understand that the reverse is true.
About the anatomy of the voice and the voice teacher July 29 2012, 1 Comment
The physiologists who dissected the human body and left their observations in the libraries of the world, were specialists in the particular branch in which they were specially interested. Hence we have specialists of anatomy of the brain, eyes, ears, throat, etc. They investigated diseases in their special line and anatomical knowledge enabled them to reach the particular disease by means of surgery and the operating table. The throat specialist, for instance, can remove an obstruction from any part of the throat. The physiologist was not especially interested in the voice, whether speaking or singing; he merely saw certain, muscles, bones, tissues, etc., which he knew were for the purpose of making sounds and words, just as the lenses and muscles of the eyes had for their object the sense of seeing.
The vocalist and voice teacher, on the other hand, knew nothing, or very little, about the anatomy of the throat; he therefore accepted the statement of the physiologist as final, and supposed that all which was necessary to develop a voice was to speak or sing, just as in the case of the eyes, which you simply use as best you ,can. The fact that since modern methods of research have been established, physiologists by no means agree with one another, is for the most part unknown to the vocalist. This is not surprising because these facts are hidden away in the libraries of the world. As we shall see, the vocalist lived in an inertia of habit; he accepted the usage of those who went before him.
The perfect voice builder - A new profession open to many July 29 2012, 1 Comment
Voice building is a new profession and one that opens up new opportunities for those who are ambitious to do helpful work and follow a pleasant vocation. It is a profession that should appeal especially to vocal and instrumental teachers. By adding this new branch of instruction they can greatly increase their income and enlarge their success. They will appreciate the singing voice lessons method because they will see that for the first time in the history of voice training there has been found a method that is tangible, a method that will build and strengthen a voice with mathematical exactness, something that can be fully demonstrated to the eye, ear and touch, something that is as practical and visible as the pianist's touch. My method leaves nothing to the imagination; it is a material fact. I will prepare you to teach this profession.
You should learn this method, use it and prepare yourself to be heard in the world. To those who use this method and prove its merits for themselves and then desire to teach it, think of the large salaries that are paid to men and women having only reasonably good voices. Consider the possibilities contained in a perfect voice to sway the public's feelings and win personal fame. Consider the enviable position of the singer, the actor, the orator, the statesman, etc., and then remember that you carry within your throat an instrument that, if rightly exercised, can be used to earn you an independent living and possibly a fortune. And furthermore, you will possess the advantage of having your stock in trade (your voice) always with you and at your immediate command. Certainly this is your opportunity to develop a talent that you can always be proud of. Nothing is so much admired or wins for its owner such favor as does a "Perfect Voice".
Vocal work can be made a profession of the deepest interest and may be thoroughly mastered by anyone willing to devote the necessary amount of time and study to it. It is not difficult to master, but requires patience and perseverance. Learn to practice your exercises daily, if only for a few moments, for that is the way to accomplish wonders. A half hour each day is far better than ten hours a week spent at one time.
A few points for the student to remember..
Don't expect to learn it all in one lesson. This course includes all phases of the work, and if you have enough perseverance your progress will astonish you. If you don't get all you wish to know about a certain subject in one lesson you may be sure you will find it in the following lessons.
Form the habit of studying and exercising carefully. Avoid skimming over your exercises rapidly, for you cannot gain any permanent benefit in this manner. Remember, you are entering on a great work. Give it your undivided attention. Concentrate your efforts and determine to win.
If you are engaged in singing or speaking before the public, be careful to apply what you learn in each lesson. The results will astonish you. If you are not engaged in such work at present, be very careful of your speech. Learn to enunciate carefully and practice my exercises at home regularly, especially practice all exercises pertaining to the tongue.
If you are unable to answer an examination question refer to the reading matter of your lesson and study the subject again. If, after working on the question for some time you are still unable to answer it, rest for a few hours and try again.
The purpose of these questions is to induce you to study the theoretical part of each lesson carefully. Through a careful study of the theory, you will gain understanding and confidence.
This understanding is especially needed by those with defective voices of all kinds. A defect must first be known before its cause can be removed.
At Singing Lessons Online we take pride in.... July 27 2012, 1 Comment
... that we have the medical establishment on our side :)
If you look up the Hyo-Glossus muscle in an random medical dictionary or even on Wikipedia, you will find that they always mention that this muscle is important for singing. Below are some links:
//Singing Lessons Online
Where is the Hyo-Glossus located? July 27 2012, 0 Comments
If you want to feel the action of the Hyo-Glossus you can try the following "gag reflex" trick. Put a finger on your tongue way back in the throat until you start to gag (Don´t worry, just take easy!). The instant you gag you will feel that the tongue is pulled downwards, this is the action of the Hyo-Glossus. Below are some pictures to see where this muscle, or pair of muscles, are located.
The Hyo-Glossus
From the front
//Singing Lessons Online