Head Voice and Chest Voice

[reggaejunkie001]

I have been playing guitar for six years now and I wish to sing well also. I have an issue with making a smooth transition from my head voice to my chest vice(vice versa as well). There is an ugly-sounding break when I attempt to sing from octave (in chest) to octave (in head).

Any tips on working out this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Also I would like to hear how some others effectively improved their singing when they were just starting.

Thanks.

[TojesDolan]

Go to Jam Session. :)

[Screamin_Demon_Auz]

What you need to learn is bridging your passagio (italian word for break... I only use it because you'll see it a lot if you start researching.)

Heres some basic vocal science:
In chest voice, your vocal cords, which are the size of your eye lids basically, vibrate their full length.

In head voice, about a third of them actually vibrate. The other 2/3 of the cords are now adducted.

Your cords will stretch as far as possible, and you will still be in chest. Once you reach your threshold, they will begin to come together (adduct), and the vibrating space will shorten, which makes the pitch higher.

You haven't strengthened the proper muscles enough yet to adduct. The only way to do that is through exercises because songs just reinforce bad habits.

The muscles that cause the cords to adduct are called the cricothyroid muscles, and the best way to get them working is through singing at a loud volume, the word GOT. Do this on either 3 or 5 tone scales, and you will start to strengthen the muscles. Also, do regular scales too on the vowel EE.

Just make sure your applying proper support or else you will blow your voice out doing the loud GOT stuff. When you breath in, always:
1. Make sure your stomach comes out, and your lower ribs (intercostals) come out to the sides,

and

2.You apply a downwards pressure like you are going to the bathroom whenever you are doing something loud or screaming. To get this feeling, sustain an S like a hiss at a normal volume. Then push harder, and pay attention to the feeling in your lower region.

[Merkaba]

Well it may not be strength. Some people just lack the coordination in the muscles. Kinda like blaring your nostrils. You've got to learn how to relax one set of muscles while tensing another basically and this is a dance many can't do right off. Sometimes you can trick yourself into it. I have a few ideas on page on of this thread....--->http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219911
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