I've been trying applying pharyngeal to notes that I would hit in falsetto and they sound fuller...does that mean I'm doing it right?

Hi, Nick.

You need to record and study the timbre or send them to somebody who has an ear.

But basically if you go lower from pharyngeal and you start to break in chest I think that's a sign you're getting close to doing it right.

If you are too high/impure it will sound whiney/witchy and just be like a reinforced falsetto or the sound Jaime uses to bust glass.

Hope that helps.

It sounds like that reinforced falsetto, not like the goose. What should J be focusing on to swell the tone to full voice?

Just keep doing transcending tone and pharyngeal exercises.

Sometimes when you are starting you can get like a battle of tones as you switch back and forth or before you break into chest. This means you're getting close.

Of course this is all my opinion.

Hope that helps.

Should I try and incorporate the pharyngeal muscles while doing transcending tone as well?

Do what works. Try not to think so much when doing it.

For me it worked, but if you overthink it you're not feeling the muscles and can confuse yourself.


It's sort of like doing sirens. You run into a 'ceiling' and eventually you go higher if you keep practicing.

In this case it's like dropping down into a hammock above chest. Eventually you keep doing it and everything comes together.

Hey man, I found out this help me a lot. Before you hit a note from falsetto to full voice. You could try to add vocal fry to your falsetto first. This helps me relax my jaw and neck, so I could sing those notes easier. Practice those notes for a bit then try to go from falsetto, then add vocal fry, to full voice

I recorded myself trying to do transcending tone. I do apply pharyngeal towards the end by the way.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0VXrQMfmvKock1vMjgxNUVNMUU/edit?usp=sharing

Sorry Nick--not close yet.

You're dropping pitch--notes falling.

While your pitch should perhaps waver some as you train the note should remain consistent. IE, this isn't a reverse siren.

Try practicing with a keyboard, pitch wheel, or a tuner.

Keep going for it!

But is the pitch swelling towards a full voice tone or a breathier falsetto? I am aware of the pitch dropping-thanks for that, I'll try to keep pressing down to keep the pitch constant.

I did it a couple more times-at higher pitches, and I focused on maintaining the pitch, but I must note I felt short of breath and the tone sounded weak as I continued to transcend-does that mean I'm going into full voice?

It's not supposed to sound weak in full/mixed voice.

Best way I can describe it is the sound/feel if you've played a clarinet or similar wind instrument that has an octave key. When the octave key is pressed the pressure is more compact and sounds kind of honk/squeaky. It's like your voice goes into another gear and is using different chambers in your face/skull (ie pharyngeal).

This is as opposed to how a flute sounds which is very windy/breathy--much more like a soft falsetto.

Anyways, you can add some breathiness to full/mixed voice (as well as grit) but you probably shouldn't practice transcending tone.

Given that, what should I be focusing on?

You should be focusing on practicing--over and over and over again.

And learn to gather faith--develop body wisdom.

No one can do the exercises for you.

At some point you have to cease intellectualizing and start doing.

I can sit here all day and try to explain how to use your brain to visualize throwing a ball but that doesn't mean you're going to get into the NBA.

Similarly you can keep trying to tell your arm to throw the ball and never make a single basket in your life.

Sooner or later you have to build the bridge with the materials provided.

Alright, its been 6 weeks, but it still sounds the same, breathy and false...

I just had a listen. To me it sounds like you are pushing more air to transcend. Also the tone you started with seems a tiny bit breathy, Maybe spending some time on the "ooo ooo ooo" exercise can help?

Work on keeping the downwards support fairly strong when you are transcending and keeping the inhalation sensation visualization (pretend you are sucking the air in via a straw)
Also maybe work around a middle c area first. I think it is better to master them lower first as i find it easier personally.

I have good and bad days with this one but be patient and do not allow your air to push and you will get it.