The Technique

In order to achieve a healthy vocal production singers must work towards a balanced sound. Imbalances in the voice can often result in strain, fatigue, and inconsistency. Healthy singing should always result in a mixture of vocal registers and resonances.

Healthy singing does not dictate genre of music, vocal style, or an artists unique sound. Good vocal technique should appear indistinguishable, allowing for vocal freedom and artistry.

Adduction

If the vocal folds are optimally adducted (not too tight and not too loose) it becomes much easier for the vocal folds to stretch and thin throughout the entire vocal range. Too much adduction can often result in strain or fatigue, and too little adduction can result in lack of power or breathiness.

Airflow

An ideal breathing system encourages healthy support. Healthy support allows the air to flow evenly while producing sound. In the event that the vocal folds cannot manage the airflow provided, strain or fatigue may occur. High caliber breath management permits ideal adduction and sub-glottal pressure contributing to a friendly compression of the vocal cords.

Altitude

Allowing laryngeal altitude to remain at speech level promotes moving through the transitions (passaggi) of the voice with ease. Reaching up for high notes or down for low notes can limit a singers ability to move through vocal registers. Laryngeal altitude that raises and lowers unnecessarily may result in fatigue and inconsistencies in the voice.

Aperture

Measurements of acoustic space assist in the mixture of resonances. A narrow or broad aperture may be applied, depending on the technical goal. These formants can add a bright or dark timbre to the voice aiding the registration process. The use of the entire vocal tract is essential to healthy singing. Vowel tuning, throat and mouth resonators, nasal cavity, etc.

Application of these 4 elements in tandem builds a voice to its fullest potential. Ultimately singers will be able to sing through their entire vocal range without any sudden changes in quality, keeping one voice from the bottom of to the top.

An understanding of vocal technique should never hinder a singers artistry. If applied well, it is simply a foundation, a tool to ensure career longevity and vocal health.