Vocal Technique
The larynx, the bump in the middle of the neck below the chin, rises during the swallowing process. However, a lifted larynx while singing results in tension, distortion of the words, and disconnection of the voice commonly referred to as a break. Most singers, in an effort to belt or to sing in their natural voice, are actually straining, using these outer swallowing muscles to produce their desired sound, resulting in a high, or strained, larynx. This is very damaging to the vocal cords.
Claire McCartin, through vocal technique exercises, enables you to keep the larynx relaxed and stable (eliminating the outer muscle activity) as you sing through your entire vocal range, as well as through every vowel and consonant combination. The goal is to train the vocal cords to make the adjustment of balancing to the flow of air. As a result, the singer will produce the proper resonance shifts through their bridges with no breaks or glitches, resulting in a freer tone. This tone will contain a balance of top, middle, and bottom harmonic qualities, like a good stereo system. So, basically, the result is that you can sing easily through your entire range with freedom and ease and still be conversational and natural.
Easily explained…
The larynx is home to the vocal cords. Try feeling your larynx (Adam’s apple) and sing “eee” from low to high. Did your larynx move up? Now keep your hand on your larynx and swallow. Did you notice that it also moved upwards and then back down again? What a lot of singers don’t realize is that they have been singing in a swallowing condition! Keeping the larynx stable is one of the keys to successful, healthy singing.
Have you ever tried to reach a high note and felt a flip in your voice, or tried straining to reach the note, or just broke into a light, airy tone (falsetto)? Doing this too much can cause serious vocal problems. The key to solving this vocal dilemma is the vocal “mix” or “middle voice.” The mix allows you to sing from low to high with ease and without pulling, flipping, straining, or yelling.
Easily put, you should sing in the same effortless manner as you speak, freely and clearly anywhere in your range, with all your words clearly understood. Claire McCartin helps voices stay connected through bridges, also known as passages or passaggi (in Italian), which is where the voice shifts from chest to head. She also helps with expanding range without straining, and developing a healthy vibrato, in which the final result is gaining confidence in your singing voice.