Monday 14 April 2014

Better way to hit high notes

On April 16th, countries from around the globe celebrate World Voice Day in recognition of the human voice and its importance in people's lives. This world-wide celebration started in Brazil in 1999 when two voice professionals decided to commemorate the human voice and raise awareness of the need for preventative care.

The human voice is essential for everyday living. However, it is often taken for granted as witnessed by many forms of abuse - smoking, shouting, drinking, poor speaking or singing techniques. When voice problems arise, treatment is often ignored, which leads to more severe voice problems.

Singers prove to be no exception. Every year, we hear about accomplished singers who are forced to put their careers on hold due to vocal trauma as a result of incorrect vocal techniques or vocal overuse. Adele, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Whitney Huston, Justin Timberlake, Julie Andrews, Luciano Pavarotti and many more are known to have developed vocal nodules. Some of them underwent successful surgeries, some never recovered.

April 16th is a time to remind all singers, regardless of their age or stage of voice development, that healthy vocal techniques are the number one priority. Investing time and energy in good vocal techniques and training early in one's singing career helps prevent vocal trauma. Developing a mixed voice rather than pushing one's chest voice to reach high notes, learning to balance registers, and establishing and maintaining good vocal habits are just a few skills that will add to a singer's longevity. What concert goers or reality show viewers see nowadays is the exact opposite - emotional performances in which singers push to achieve excessive volume or high pitches. It seems as if "louder and higher" is the road to a successful singing career. However, this could be a short lived career resulting in vocal trauma later in life.

Aspiring singers now have access to many resources promoting good vocal techniques. One good source is a new website "How To Improve Singing" at www.tips.how2improvesinging.com. Its central focus is the development of healthy vocal techniques and habits. This site offers articles discussing various aspects of vocal training, promotes singing programs that build upper registers in a healthy way, and warns against abusive habits, such as overusing and overextending one's voice.

(Newswire)



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