why do peoples jaws move when they sing? — Page 2

Realize that if you're seeing trained singers doing that, they need new teachers (I'm talking about people like Kristin Chenoweth that might do it once in a blue moon). If someone is trained, they should not be doing that. The tongue can do it, but so can a lot of other muscles (there are over 100 muscles around the larynx). Realize that a lot of Broadway stars don't last long b/c they ruin their voices.

The jaw only needs to be open about one or two fingers. It shouldn't be so loose that it isn't controlable. And just b/c I don't like Sondheim, doesn't say anything. I have a degree in Music Ed, four years of private voice in college and considerable experience teaching voice and have learned from laryngologists and voice therapists, and once my recommendation is approved (written by the president-elect of NATS), I will be a member of NATS.

woah, dude...calm down

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I never make attacks on here, but something about this guy's posts force me to speak up. There's nothing worse than "posting with authority" when you have none.

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thanks mom.

There's no need to tell me to calm down - I'm not upset. I just don't like seeing things like this happen, that's all.

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just to put in my two cents, my father is a professional opera singer and a voice teacher of 25 years (only saying that so you know his credentials) and he says that really the only way a jaw does that is if there is tension somewhere. he also says that in the opera world there is speculation about how good Cecila Bartoli's technique really is. and just so you know musicpos, i always agree with the stuff that you say about technique and such

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Updated On: 7/28/04 at 07:17 PM

MJR - that is the truth. I think that is where people run into problems in vocal training. A lot of times vocal coaches beleieve there is one specific right way to approach things. Thats just untrue. Everyone is unique, and many tactics are going to work differently on different people. Its so important to have a good coach who can help you find the right technique for you. Because every method isn't going to work for every singer. It just isn't.

You're right about no definitive right way, but there are wrong ways, and it's very rare for it to be what you're talking about. I put that I'm a voice teacher in these types of posts, so that people reading them know that I'm not just some nobody giving advice on something so important. NATS unlike MENC and ACDA (Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors Association) require that your credentials are checked and your reference is from a current member. I'm glad that you've done all that, but if the jaw is moving there is tension. I think you're thinking of other areas of the body that from a distance can look the jaw is shaking (still very distracting, and not the best idea). One such person, from what I am told (I haven't seen videos, so I wouldn't know) is Joan Sutherland (sp?), who is one of the best coloraturas to ever live (although, if Kristin Chenoweth goes into opera, I think she might be able to capture that title).

let the battle of the voice teachers commence!

Chenoweth is an amazing coloratura. Laryngeal vibrato is the only type that's healthy, and diaphragmatic isn't a vibrato, it's a tremolo. Again the quivering is rare for it to be safe, and it is very distracting. If you see close, you will see the adam's apple (which is the thyroid cartiladge and "front" of the larynx) shaking, but that's only if it really sticks out (my neck is too fat to see the adam's apple).

Actually, the diaphragm can't produce a vibrato b/c vocally a vibrato is only a waiver in pitch, tremolo is in volume or the amplitude of the wave. In the flute, however, the diaphragm is used to create vibrato, but it's not like a vocal vibrato (often flautists have trouble singing b/c they try to use their diaphragm to create vibrato, which doesn't work). And I have said that my recommendation was written by the pres-elect. I am not a member now, but considering that last year the person that wrote my recommendation was the one that approved them, it's not really an issue. I have said this on job interviews and if someone were to take lessons with me, I would be telling them the same thing.

You know what else I hate on singers? When their tongues are hanging out of their mouths at the end of songs... Idina does this and she never used to during RENT but, why do singers have to do these things?!!? WHY !!!!!

I have a question!!!

So, someone doesn't have a moving jaw---excellent, no "tension" there.

But sometimes, when someone sings, and their adams apple moves slightly during vibrato...like up and down, say, Josh Groban for isntance...is this a result of tension? Something else?

Curious.

Updated On: 7/28/04 at 09:39 PM