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Jude Thaddeus Youth Choir Voice and Singing Lessons

(Introduction Ice Breaker)

The Definition of Singing:

Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
The Components of Vocal Technique
1. Posture and Alignment
2. Breath
3. Phonation and Registers
4. Resonance
5. Articulation
6. Expression

I. Posture
Good posture will help you make a good sound. As your voice comes from within your
body the way you stand affects how you sing.

Steps to achieve a good singing posture

• Stand up straight - imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head.
• Place your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your knees unlocked and stay balanced.
• Your head should be upright, looking straight ahead.
• Keep your shoulders down and your abdomen relaxed.
• Try to relax - tension will prevent you from making a good sound.

II. Breathing
Breathing is one of the most important things to think about when you’re singing.
Breathing correctly will support your voice but breathing in the wrong way will make
your voice thin and tired. Developing a good breathing technique takes practice and
patience.
• Breathe deeply from your lower lungs. Imagine a rubber ring around your waist,
breathe in and try to push the ring outwards.
• Avoid raising your shoulders as you breathe in, keep them relaxed and level.

(Group Exercise) Circular Formation

Place your right hand on your belly
Place your left hand on the left shoulder of the person in front of you
Inhale and exhale, and feel your belly expand and collapse while you check if the person in front of you
raises his or her shoulders or not (5 times)
Inhale, exhale on “sss”
Inhale, exhale on active “sss”
Inhale, exhale on f, k, t
 III. Phonation

Phonation is the production of vocal sound and speech. Expression through vocals may seem effortless
and easy, but it actually comes from a delicate and complicated system of laryngeal muscles and
ligaments.

(Vocal exercises)
Match pitch
Humming
Octave leaps (chest and head voice)
Melody building

- 15 Minute Break -

IV. Resonation

Resonance is the intensity/quality of the tone you hear when you sing or speak. It is caused by the
reverberation of sound waves from your vibrating vocal cords; depending on how they travel around
before exiting your body.
Three General Vocal Resonators
Nasal (Head)
Tracheal (Throat)
Chest (Lung)
 V. Articulation and Diction
How sounds are shaped while singing, to convey a specific language, emotion, and meaning.
Pronunciation of words (word inflection), the enunciation of syllables (syllable inflection), and
articulation of consonants must be carefully planned. Vowels carry the resonant tone and consonants
convey the language.
According to Leigh Nash, the main problem about articulation in singing is that the student tries to do
something different when he or she sings from when they talk. “For example, they start doing strange
things like big movements with their mouths, thinking this can help them articulate and sing. They try to
push out or punch the words. But, if they stop to understand that they can articulate freely when they
sing just like when they talk like in everyday speaking, all those problems disappear.”

Words: Vowels and Consonants

Chorus of Anima Christi – 1 slide

First verse of Amazing Grace – 1 slide

VI. Expression
Vocal expression is about how you deliver your message with words and how you express those words.
When you have good vocal expression, you can convey emotion and character to your audience simply
by your pitch, your pronunciation, and the speed at which you speak.
First verse of I Will Sing Forever – 1 Slide

(Individual Exercise)
Give 10 minutes
Pick a song to sing (from 3 choices)
Internalize, Integrate, and Interpret the 6 components
Sing
Assess yourself