Creating a Round, Smooth Sound

by Fabio (Ramesha) Nani

One of the characteristics of untrained singers is the tendency to push their chin forward when singing higher notes. This happens when the larynx (the “Adam’s apple”) is forced upward toward the chin due to tension in the throat. A screechy and harsh sound accompanies this process, making it impossible to control the volume of the voice. The singer feels like they need to shout in order to sing at all.

The way to avoid this problem is to train the voice to switch to a higher register. This switch allows the larynx to lower and the vocal chords to stretch, so they can produce higher sounds. The same thing happens when tuning a string instrument: increase the tension of the strings and the sound gets higher.

We’ve discussed the importance of switching to a higher register, in order to avoid tension and use the entire range your voice. Even after learning how this mechanism works, it usually takes a while before the switch between registers happens smoothly and seamlessly.

The process is greatly helped by rounding the last few notes before the break point (point where we switch to the higher register). Rounding a note is done by expanding the throat, similar to when we yawn. The vowel sounds become less bright and more resonant. Don’t overdo though, or it will sound like a bad caricature of an opera singer!
Rounding makes the sound of the notes in your low and high registers more similar and consistent. It becomes easier to maintain the same sound from one register to the other.
It also greatly decreases tension in your throat as you approach the break point.

Another advantage of rounding up your vowel is that you will use your face (technically called “mask”) more as a sounding board. All the face cavities, including the nose and sinuses are engaged to amplify the sound and make it more resonant.


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