A Lifted Soft Palate - Contemporary Singers Need It, Too

Lifting the soft palate is something that classically trained singers have to do to magnify their vocal sound richly and carry volume. But contemporary singers as well as speakers need to learn this inner lift as well. To 'lift your soft palate before you sound your voice is the only way to find your vocal 'sweet spot' where you experience full resonance without strain.

So how should a singer lift the soft palate?

    * First of all, you can use the 'inner smile', a time-tested vocal technique which feels like the beginning of the yawn. This is not to be confused with the tight, horizontal external smile. Think Mona Lisa.

    * Imagine a ping pong ball on the back of your tongue. This will cause the soft palate to lift, as well as loosen the jaw and relax the base of the tongue.

    * Get your eyes and nose into the act: Remember that the back of the nasal membrane goes on back behind the eyes and continues above the soft palate. Soft palate and nasal membrane (nasal pharynx) should lift simultaneously towards the top back of your head in order to open the channels of the throat. Flare your nose at the same time you raise the back edges of your eyebrows and notice what it does for this lift.

    * Get your spine into the act: Move your head flexibly back a bit, causing the top vertebrae in your neck to open the throat channel from behind.

    * Do what I call the 6-way inside stretch (eyes, nose, jaw, both ears & scalp) as you sing. The center of the stretch should seem to be in the back of your head.

    * Do some 'wall work' : sing with your heel and head against the wall (chin flexibly level), which will help keep your head back and your breath supported and controlled.

    * Back off the pressure! Remember that vocal volume comes from resonation, not excessive air pressure. Back off and your soft palate will be able to lift and your throat will open.

The difference in vocal ability that lifting the soft palate can make for contemporary (popular) singing makes this a technique worth learning. Lift up and back... and feel your voice soar!

For more vocal information leading to vocal ability you never thought possible, see the links below:

Judy Rodman -singer/songwriter/producer/vocal instructor, developer of... Power, Path & Performance vocal training - Learn from a pro who's been where you want to go!

website, vocal training products and blog: http://judyrodman.com
newsletter: http://judyrodman.com/newsletter-signup

Judy Rodman has over 30 years of professional experience as a session singer, award-winning recording artist, stage and television performer, a multi-genre hit songwriter, a studio producer and vocal consultant, and a highly sought-after voice teacher.

 

Comments

Judy Rodman said…
Thanks so much for posting this, very nice to meet you... let me know if ever I can be of help to you.

-Judy
April 16, 2009 at 3:57 PM
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