THE VOICE CONNECTION
SOUND OFF

Welcome to The Voice Connection Sound Off; a forum for users of books like Raise Your Voice, Melody to Madness, The Ultimate Breathing Workout, and Unleash Your Creative Mindset, as well as a place for Vendera Vocal Academy members to interact.

This message board was created so that singers could come together and "sound off" to help support each other during vocal development and the creative process of unleashing the creative spark that occurs when writing and producing music. Currently, myself and vocal coaches Ben Valen, Ray West, and Ryan Wall are here to respond periodicially to your questions, with new vocal coaches coming soon. But, feel free to help each other too:)

This board is here for you to ask questions about my and my fellow coach's books, videos, and MP3 programs, as well as offer others help with our vocal techniques. You may also post videos of yourself and your band to share your music and ask for critiques.

Please refrain from negative comments, profanities, spamming, and inappropriate criticisms of vocal methodologies, vocal coaches, and singers. All negative posts will be deleted and subject to banning without question. I will not respond to negative posts, because, as Mark Twain once said, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” With that said, positive criticism is welcome because that is how you'll grow as a singer during the training process.


The Voice Connection - Sound Off
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gargle on a scale

Hey good people. I was working on keeping the strain out of my high notes when I started trying the gargling on a scale exercise.

I was able to go pretty much as high as I wanted with zero effort. Well anyway, I noticed that my adam's apple was sort of stuck in place, likely to do with the fact that the cords are designed to stay closed to keep the water from choking you.

So while observing some of my favorite singers, Russel Allan for one, I was noticing that when he goes to hit a high note he tilts his head up.

The question is that why is it that when I try to tilt my head up like that then the high note dies completely? My tendency is to lower my chin, resulting in a strain free high c but no higher than c# or it seems forced.

Am I doing something wrong that I can't raise my chin?

Re: gargle on a scale

Singers are different. It may work for Russel but it may be causing strain with you. A good tip is to move your head side to side repeatedly like shaking your head "No" when singing those notes. If your voice cracks, it means there is neck tension constricting the throat. Keep using the "No" until you break loose that tension.