Question:
I can sing some medium high notes, but not very high ones. I started singing at a very young age but never had a coach. I don’t have any formal technique so high notes go all squeaky. Please explain how to make high notes less squeaky.
Answer:
There are two considerations, one specific to you and one that applies to everyone.
For everyone:
Squeaky high notes can result from a lack of adequate breath support.
— You need to work for consistent expansion in the lower ribs, and the expansion might even increase as you ascend in pitch.
— You need to work for a stable posture of the breastbone so that it neither rises nor lowers with regard to pitch.
— The abdominals need to remain flexible and weighted, with no clenching or pushing, no gripping of the anal sphincter or genitals.
Squeaky notes can result from poor phonation. You need to make sure the vocal cords come together in a way that is not too tight or too lax. It needs to be balanced exactly in the middle and this feels much gentler, smaller and more refined on high notes.
Squeaky high notes can also be the result of inadequate resonance. You need to find the resonators in the head. Experiment with humming and different vowels to find the clearest, most free sounds the voice can make as it ascends.
For you:
Because you are a 14-year-old male, you should not try to sing in the extreme high range. This will develop organically over time, as you age. For now, you can sing things in lower keys, sing less demanding repertoire and shift to falsetto as need be. It would be really wonderful if you could find a teacher or coach to work with.