Here are a few more tips to follow when you’re learning a song from scratch:
- If you’re having a hard time with the pronunciation of a word, drop all consonants from that word and practice transitioning from the previous word to the vowel(s) of that tricky word. Then add the consonant(s) immediately preceding the vowel(s) you’re singing on. When that feels comfortable, add the other consonants too. For example the word “blessed” has the two consonants “bl”, which, combined with “e” make the word sound a little funny. Practice singing the “e” alone first, coming from the previous word. Then add “bl”, and finally “ssed”.
- The tendency to run out of breath too quickly usually indicates a flaw in your placement. When you place your voice correctly all the breath you use turns into sound. But when the placement is not right, the sound becomes “breathy”, as if it had a leak. So you use up a lot more air than necessary and run out of breath. Warm-ups where you focus on pronouncing and enunciating your vowels very clearly can help fix this issue.
- If you’re not holding the pitch it usually means that you’re not relaxed enough. You’re straining your voice, or “pushing”, and when you get tired the pitch tends to drop. Long tone exercises (holding a note while consciously relaxing your throat) can be very helpful with this issue.
Needless to say, it’s extremely helpful – especially for the last two issues – to have the guidance and feedback of someone who can correct your placement and demonstrate for you the correct way to use the voice.
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Sincerely,
Ramesha
