Help with high notes!

[spaceisland]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 7:20pm

Okay, so I've been reading the boards for awhile, and found that generally everyone here seems to have a great level of expertise! With that, I've decided to invest in your help.

My issue at present is involving high notes, particularly at the beginning of phrases and during octave jumps. I'm a 16 y.o. mezzo, and can typically reach a G5 in the middle of a line with ease, but if it's one of the aforementioned situations, I have a but of trouble... There seems to be a bit of tension before hitting the note, and i'm not sure if I'm just anxious about not reaching it, but it's as if there is a bit of breathiness before getting to the clear tone... It's kind of hard to explain, but I'm wondering, has anyone else experienced this, and does anyone have advice? I'm getting so frustrated! I'll attach a link of my voice so that you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about, and tell if I am doing something wonky physically that might be causing it, etc!

Thanks in advance! xoxoxo
Singing Clips

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 8:13pm

Think and set up for the high note before you sing it. In other words, create the space you use for your comfortable high notes a little before your difficult ones. You have a beautiful voice, by the way.

[spaceisland]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 8:21pm

Thanks for the quick response!

I think I know what you mean about the setting up thing. It's just so weird and frustrating for me, because as far as I know I'm supporting it correctly, and I'm working extra hard to keep the rib-cage open, and the throat relaxed etc... I wish I knew how to explain the issue better! My teacher is talking about it having something to do with my voice not meeting the breath soon enough, if that makes sense, but does anybody know of any exercises or ways to beat that?

I also have some trouble keeping my tone consistent at a p or pp volume in the higher register, and it gets all airy and yucky, so any reccomendations for that?

[Juliash]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 9:05pm

I don't know what you're already doing, but definitely try deep breathing. Breath out on a count of four, breathe in in three parts, the bottom of your lungs, the middle and then the top. let it out on a hiss for 35 seconds, and then do it again on a pitch. It really helps with taking deep catch breaths!! And I find that the better the catch breath I take, the more arched and ready the back of my throat (velum/soft pallet, if you're counting) is, and the fuller and more confident my tone is. Think opera singer.

By the by, your chest voice is absolutely GGGGOOOOORRRRGGEEEOOOUUUUSSSSS.

Updated On: 5/6/08 at 09:05 PM

[beyonddizzy31]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 1:57am

Wow, very nice voice. You sound a lot like me when I was 16

My main question is are you looking for advice on belting high notes or hitting high notes in your legit voice? Through training I've gotten my voice to a pretty solid belt to E5, and can give you more advice on that rather than an operatic legit sound. So much of it is learning how to control your soft palate and support from your diaphragm.

[spaceisland]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 6:02pm

Thanks so, so, much for the advice and compliments guys. You're all sweeties!

Beyonddizzy, right now I'm mostly dealing with me legit. voice in more classical rep. I'm doing a lot of soprano operatic stuff right now even though I typically sing lower, just because I really want to master my technique, and find some more control up there. That's what I'm having the most trouble with, as I mentioned, especially in the softer sections of songs... I'm doing lots of singing songs on straight vowels to try and get it consistent, but I am having so much trouble on "oo" and it gets the same breathiness that I am trying to manage on the beginnings of phrases, etc. as I said! Gahhh, I am so sick of it and want to fix it!

I'm very, very open to advice re: high belting however as well! I don't want to ruin my voice, but I'm auditioning for m/t programs next year so I wouldn't mind knowing a little bit about it.