Kate's Voice

Susan Boyle has become an overnight sensation.  People everywhere are watching YouTube and talking about her looks more than her voice.  The latest discussion is about how bad it makes the rest of us look that she was such a surprise.   However, I have heard enough people sing to know that a beautiful voice does not often come in a beautiful package.  I can’t believe that the rest of the world wouldn’t know that as well.  Therefore, I think the real surprise to most of us is that Susan Boyle had the guts to go on stage at all.  And the real lesson here is that Susan found her voice and we all had to listen precisely because of her looks, not in spite of them.

But what does that have to do with finding your voice in a noisy world, except that the crowd was very noisy when Susan sang?  Well, sometimes the only way that people will listen is if you present yourself in a way that others wouldn’t dare to.  Or if you sound like others but don’t look like them.  But sometimes, the fact that you sound like others but don’t look like them is exactly the thing that ruins your chances at a part, or the thing that gives people the wrong impression of who you are and what you are trying to say.

If you were Susan Boyle, and you were aware that your vocal image was so different from your physical appearance, in other people’s eyes, would you have the courage to stand up there in front of millions and sing?  It is possible that she wasn’t aware of how she looked,  but it’s more likely that she knew, and and didn’t care.  What was most important to her was to take a chance.  She wanted to be heard.

I believe the singers who have the most impact are the ones that align their intention with their content and both with the sound of their voice.  Susan Boyle did just that.  She sang a song that told her story.  She told it from her heart and took a chance in front of others just as the song said.  And she was so convincing, and so talented, that the judges and the audience believed every word and she won them over.  And her intention all along was to take that chance on being just like the other contestants who had won, which is also why she won our hearts.   We all dream of being like Susan Boyle, where the ugliness in us doesn’t matter anymore and someone finally hears who we are just as we are.

The cornerstones of a great voice are healthy vocal folds, the ability to use them well, and supportive breathing.  In the past we have discussed breathing, and vocal health.  Now let’s focus on using your voice correctly.  The cornerstone of correct vocal production is “mask resonance.”

Even in an untrained voice, there is a simple way to find mask resonance.

Say “MMMMMMMMMMM.”  Can you feel that buzzy sensation in the front of your face?

Put your fingers on your face, next to your nose and across your cheekbones.

Now, say it again, “MMMMMMMMMMMM.”  You can probably feel a vibration in your fingers as well as your face.

Now, say. “AAAWWWW.”  You may not feel much vibration in your face, but you might feel in in your throat.  The “aw” sound resonates more in your throat and less in your nasal pharynx.

The resonance in your nasal pharynx is “mask resonance.”  Practice alternating between the words “memory” and “fought” so you can start to notice mask resonance  when it is present in your sound and can cultivate it in your singing and in your speech.  And visit my blog again to learn more about it!