Working with Young Changing Voices
Choir Training for Young SingersFall 2013
Dr. Sharon L. Morrow
Wednesday, October 23, 13
Common vocal characteristics
Collapsed postureShallow, unenergized breathingNot enough space in mouth/tight jawLeading with chinTense, bright vocal tone (early change)
Wednesday, October 23, 13
Dull, swallowed vocal tone (high school and older basses)
Difficulty accessing head voice
Lack of vowel definition
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Warm-ups are your friend
Purpose: prepare mind, body, ears, voiceWarm-up time is valuable teaching time!Types of exercisesSources for warm-ups
Engaging and efficient!
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BodyRelaxationModel
BreathAwareness of muscle movementBegin with exhalation
Warm-up sequence
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Placement
Desired tone: free, light, resonant
Head voice by way of non-musical sounds
Resonance
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Vowels
Hand cues
Begin with vowel that best suits the tonal color you want
Range
Begin with head voice and descend (G-Bb4)
Limited range for young singersWednesday, October 23, 13
Refers to changing vocal quality and rangeInitiated by hormonal changesResults in physical (anatomical) changes in adolescents
Changing Voice: Definition
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Usually occurs around grades 6-8, though can be as early as 5th grade or as late as late high school
Degree & amount of change highly variable - but sequence is predictable
During puberty speaking voice drops approximately one octave
Wednesday, October 23, 13
RangeTessituraVoice qualityRegister developmentF0 (fundamental frequency)
Criteria for defining stages
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Keep singers informedThe changing voice is inevitableBoys can (and should) sing through changeRate of change highly variableThe voice is versatile and resilient
Demystifying the Change
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Physical DevelopmentsMuscles and cartilages of larynxMale larynx growth is primarily in anterior-posterior directionVocal folds almost double in lengthNeck lengthensChest cavity expands (greater breath capacity)
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This is Joey in late August and in May (8th grade)
The second example is Chris (7th grade) in late August
and again in May
What does this sound like?
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Cooksey’s Voice Classification System
UnchangedMidvoice IMidvoice IIMidvoice IIaNew VoiceEmerging Adult Voice
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Stage 1 - Midvoice IBegins at same time as physiological changes associated with pubertyHigher pitches are lost (C5-F5)Singing range decreases by about 4 semi-tonesHigh notes have increased constriction & breathiness
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Stage 2 - Midvoice IILower pitches begin to appear (E4/F3)HTP’s (A4/C5) begin to fluctuateFalsetto range begins to appear (C5/B5)Register lift points begin to appear, some coordination may be lost (not always)
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Stage 3 - Midvoice IIa
Stage most vulnerable to vocal abuseFew vocal parts in standard choral literature fit this stage!Limited singing range (G3-C4/D4)Loss of vocal agility
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Stage 4 - New Voice
Beginning of stability in voice change processFalsetto produced easily, but can have a “blank spot” (C4-F4)
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Stage 5 - Emerging Adult Voice
Adult-like characteristics still not apparentGradual range expansionMore consistency in vocal productionMore flexible and generally easier to work with than other stages
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Female Voice Changes
Huff-Gackle (1987) offered voice classification system for females (based on Cooksey’s system)Offers some insight
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Huff-Gackle Developmental Stages
Stage I: PrepubertalStage IIa: Pre-menarchealStage IIb: Post-menarchealStage III: Young Adult Female
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Criteria for classifying female changing voices
Average speaking voice pitchTotal vocal range and tessituraRegister “breaks”Voice quality
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“It’s like an alien came in and took my voice!”For the boys, take care
Requires psychological work as wellSometimes, have pieces just for the boysUnison singing and parts
So, now what?
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On the physical sideEstablish good vocal techniques
Breath supportRelaxationWatch for extra tensionDon’t let them oversing!Did I mention watch for extra tension??
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Voice placementNeed for individual attentionWhat to call them...?Where they are comfortable
Ask Qs: “How does that feel?”Sectionals for changing voices
Wednesday, October 23, 13
RepertoireWhat to sing/what not to sing (how can they be unique?)Re-arranging scoring for TTBBAvoid extremesFind songs they will enjoy! (and that make them sound AWESOME!)The 3 T’s: Tessitura, text, technique
Wednesday, October 23, 13
Problem Possible Cause Possible Solution
Posture
• Fatigue/growth spurt
• Types of chair• Poor conducting
posture
•Movement while singing•Sitting/standing•Model extremes•Tap feet•Fishing rod•Horse riding•Stand
Breathing• Posture• Shallow breathing• Unenergized breath
• Model good posture• Lower gesture• Singers use low
gestures• Hissing phrase• Lip buzz/Fans
Wednesday, October 23, 13
Lack of space in the vocal tract (especially for upper register)
•Common speech habits•Vowel formation
•Finger jack•Jaw hinge•Heavy finger•Initiate a yawn•Hand signs
Harsh vocal tone•Tension•Vowels•Singing too loudly•Conducting too high
•Model relaxed posture•Bowling ball•Speak text in head voice•Change conducting gesture
Lackluster vocal tone
•Posture•Lack of breath support•Lack of resonance•Vowels
•Model posture•Energize breath•Sing up 8va•Add movement•Vowel modification
Wednesday, October 23, 13
Accessing Head Voice
•Non-musical sounds•Star Wars, frisbee, Mrs. Doubtfire, posh owl•Speak text in headvoice•Hand on chest/head
Intonation - sharp
•Tension•Singing too loud•Vowel•Shallow breathing•Range/tessitura
•Model•Move while singing•Relaxation exercises•Vowel modification•Breathe using rounded arms•Lower gesture•Change the octave
Intonation - flat
•Lack of breath support•Singing volume•Vowel•Dull facial expression•Range/tessitura•Tempo
•Breathe deeply•Move while singing•Hiss through phrase•Sing softly to aid listening•Vowel modification•Change the octave
Wednesday, October 23, 13
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