Singing Like You Speak – NOT!

Singing like you speak does not mean you sing like you speak. Why? Because there are important differences between singing and speaking. You’ll improve as a singer IF you understand and take advantage of the differences. Watch!

 

Hi! I’m Chuck Gilmore, International Vocal Coach and Founder of Power To Sing.

 

Each week I teach you lessons in vocal technique so you can build a powerful and confident singing voice. So you don’t miss out, please subscribe to my channel, Power To Sing. Be sure to click on the bell so you can be notified when I post special videos for you each week!

 

First I’ll explain why singing like you speak, does not mean you should sing like you speak.

 

Second, I’ll give you three ways singing like you speak will make you a better singer, and third, I’ll tell you how to sing like you speak!

 

Here are 7 ways you don’t sing like you speak.

 

  1. We sing with music.  That means we have to change pitches on almost every word including low, high and bridge notes (which are sometimes the most difficult.
  2. Words and pitches in the bridge or head voice, are especially challenging. These words must be modified, to stay in mix or head voice and to prevent pulling chest and raising the larynx.
  3. Breathing is more challenging because we sing longer phrases which requires bigger and deeper breaths than speaking.
  4. Singing word phrases is often different from speaking. For example, In songs you can extend phrases mid-word. In speaking we do—-n’t.
  5. The vocal cords must adjust appropriately for the high notes especially.
  6. We sing with vibrato…but hopefully not when we speak.
  7. We sing with a broader range of dynamics than when we speak. Although we may occasionally whisper or raise our voices in excitement or danger, when we sing, we often use loud and soft dynamics repeatedly.

 

 

Can you think of other ways singing is different from speaking? Let me know in the comments section below this Youtube video.

 

If you speak normally, here are four ways singing and speaking should be the same or similar.

 

  1. When singing, whether high or low notes, the larynx stays low at the same level where you speak. Too often, singers go into swallowing mode when they sing. The larynx hikes upward which makes singing very hard.
  2.  We should be able to easily understand your words just like when you speak.
  3. The air from the lungs and the vocal cords interact nicely, in a balanced, comfortable manner just like when you speak. There’s not too much air escaping, and the cords aren’t overly tight.
  4. Your singing voice is clear, easy and uncluttered. There’s nothing forced or manufactured whether singing high or low notes. You sound genuine and natural.

 

If your singing includes these four speaking practices, if you sing like you talk, you’ll sing better than most everyone else.

 

Can you think of other ways singing and speaking are the same? Let me know in the comments section below.

 

A powerful way to help you sing like you speak is to do exercises for your vocal type. Your vocal type describes what you tend to do when you sing through the bridge.

 

Go to PowerToSing.com and take the vocal test, which I call the PowerTest. Take the quiz and discover your vocal type. Click on vocal types in the menu and watch the videos about your vocal type. Download the free exercises and get to work on them.

 

Here’s a free PDF with links to the vocal test, videos and exercises. The PDF is called, Get Your Vocal Type. Download it here or in the description below this Youtube video.

 

These exercises will help you keep the larynx down, appropriately adduct your vocal cords and balance them with the air from your lungs, and help you sing in an easy, uncluttered and natural manner, with words easy to hear and understand.

 

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Also, to join a community of singers just like you, I invite you to join my Facebook page, Power To Sing, where I share up to date singing advice to help you succeed with your voice.

 

In addition, be sure to join me on Twitter and Instagram @powertosing.

 

I’m Chuck Gilmore with Power to Sing. You can sing higher with beauty, confidence and power.

 

I’ll see you inside the next video.

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