working with young changing voices -...

Working with Young Changing Voices

Choir Training for Young SingersFall 2013

Dr. Sharon L. Morrow

Wednesday, October 23, 13

Common vocal characteristics

Collapsed postureShallow, unenergized breathingNot enough space in mouth/tight jawLeading with chinTense, bright vocal tone (early change)


Dull, swallowed vocal tone (high school and older basses)

Difficulty accessing head voice

Lack of vowel definition


Warm-ups are your friend

Purpose: prepare mind, body, ears, voiceWarm-up time is valuable teaching time!Types of exercisesSources for warm-ups

Engaging and efficient!


BodyRelaxationModel

BreathAwareness of muscle movementBegin with exhalation

Warm-up sequence


Placement

Desired tone: free, light, resonant

Head voice by way of non-musical sounds

Resonance


Vowels

Hand cues

Begin with vowel that best suits the tonal color you want

Range

Begin with head voice and descend (G-Bb4)

Limited range for young singersWednesday, October 23, 13

Intonation

unison and chords

Artistry

conduct and react/question


Refers to changing vocal quality and rangeInitiated by hormonal changesResults in physical (anatomical) changes in adolescents

Changing Voice: Definition


Usually occurs around grades 6-8, though can be as early as 5th grade or as late as late high school

Degree & amount of change highly variable - but sequence is predictable

During puberty speaking voice drops approximately one octave


RangeTessituraVoice qualityRegister developmentF0 (fundamental frequency)

Criteria for defining stages


Keep singers informedThe changing voice is inevitableBoys can (and should) sing through changeRate of change highly variableThe voice is versatile and resilient

Demystifying the Change


Physical DevelopmentsMuscles and cartilages of larynxMale larynx growth is primarily in anterior-posterior directionVocal folds almost double in lengthNeck lengthensChest cavity expands (greater breath capacity)


This is Joey in late August and in May (8th grade)

The second example is Chris (7th grade) in late August

and again in May

What does this sound like?


Cooksey’s Voice Classification System

UnchangedMidvoice IMidvoice IIMidvoice IIaNew VoiceEmerging Adult Voice


Ranges & Tessituras


Stage 1 - Midvoice IBegins at same time as physiological changes associated with pubertyHigher pitches are lost (C5-F5)Singing range decreases by about 4 semi-tonesHigh notes have increased constriction & breathiness


Stage 2 - Midvoice IILower pitches begin to appear (E4/F3)HTP’s (A4/C5) begin to fluctuateFalsetto range begins to appear (C5/B5)Register lift points begin to appear, some coordination may be lost (not always)


Stage 3 - Midvoice IIa

Stage most vulnerable to vocal abuseFew vocal parts in standard choral literature fit this stage!Limited singing range (G3-C4/D4)Loss of vocal agility


Stage 4 - New Voice

Beginning of stability in voice change processFalsetto produced easily, but can have a “blank spot” (C4-F4)


Stage 5 - Emerging Adult Voice

Adult-like characteristics still not apparentGradual range expansionMore consistency in vocal productionMore flexible and generally easier to work with than other stages


Female Voice Changes

Huff-Gackle (1987) offered voice classification system for females (based on Cooksey’s system)Offers some insight


Huff-Gackle Developmental Stages

Stage I: PrepubertalStage IIa: Pre-menarchealStage IIb: Post-menarchealStage III: Young Adult Female


Criteria for classifying female changing voices

Average speaking voice pitchTotal vocal range and tessituraRegister “breaks”Voice quality


Mean ranges & tessituras (females)


Middle school is not the time to be a

purist!


“It’s like an alien came in and took my voice!”For the boys, take care

Requires psychological work as wellSometimes, have pieces just for the boysUnison singing and parts

So, now what?


On the physical sideEstablish good vocal techniques

Breath supportRelaxationWatch for extra tensionDon’t let them oversing!Did I mention watch for extra tension??


Voice placementNeed for individual attentionWhat to call them...?Where they are comfortable

Ask Qs: “How does that feel?”Sectionals for changing voices


RepertoireWhat to sing/what not to sing (how can they be unique?)Re-arranging scoring for TTBBAvoid extremesFind songs they will enjoy! (and that make them sound AWESOME!)The 3 T’s: Tessitura, text, technique


Problem Possible Cause Possible Solution

Posture

• Fatigue/growth spurt

• Types of chair• Poor conducting

posture

•Movement while singing•Sitting/standing•Model extremes•Tap feet•Fishing rod•Horse riding•Stand

Breathing• Posture• Shallow breathing• Unenergized breath

• Model good posture• Lower gesture• Singers use low

gestures• Hissing phrase• Lip buzz/Fans


Lack of space in the vocal tract (especially for upper register)

•Common speech habits•Vowel formation

•Finger jack•Jaw hinge•Heavy finger•Initiate a yawn•Hand signs

Harsh vocal tone•Tension•Vowels•Singing too loudly•Conducting too high

•Model relaxed posture•Bowling ball•Speak text in head voice•Change conducting gesture

Lackluster vocal tone

•Posture•Lack of breath support•Lack of resonance•Vowels

•Model posture•Energize breath•Sing up 8va•Add movement•Vowel modification


Accessing Head Voice

•Non-musical sounds•Star Wars, frisbee, Mrs. Doubtfire, posh owl•Speak text in headvoice•Hand on chest/head

Intonation - sharp

•Tension•Singing too loud•Vowel•Shallow breathing•Range/tessitura

•Model•Move while singing•Relaxation exercises•Vowel modification•Breathe using rounded arms•Lower gesture•Change the octave

Intonation - flat

•Lack of breath support•Singing volume•Vowel•Dull facial expression•Range/tessitura•Tempo

•Breathe deeply•Move while singing•Hiss through phrase•Sing softly to aid listening•Vowel modification•Change the octave


working with young changing voices -...

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