Question:
I’ve been able to hit C6-E6’s only in the morning; how do I make it a permanent part of my vocal range?
Answer:
This is a wonderful opportunity to work with the principle of expanding what works. It will take tremendous awareness and discipline, patience and refinement of intention.
Get yourself a journal so that you can keep track of what you notice and learn.
Before you make any sounds in the morning, sit quietly in Meditation and rehearse the easy high notes in your imagination. Make sure you do this in “Real Time.” The imagination can go faster than reality but creative visualization is only useful when it happens at the same speed as manifest action.
As you visualize, notice how you are breathing, phonating, resonating. Notice your posture and your shoulders, how your voice and throat feel, and how beautiful the imaginary sound is. Describe the tone.
As you start to sing, notice posture, breath support, phonation, resonance, and articulation. Describe it in your journal.
When you sing later in the day, track the same elements and notice what has changed.
Tomorrow, when you sit to visualize, intend that these elements do not change throughout the day.
Every time you inhale, quickly intend the desired physiology and tonal quality and then feel your body and voice responding with ease. Hear the sound in all its beauty and freedom.
Also track in your journal all of the things that create tension in your day: waiting for the bus or train, challenging conversations, performance anxiety, physical exertion, everything you do that affects your energy.
How much do you talk every day? Do you speak with as much intention and support, with as much refinement as you sing? If you want to keep your high notes fresh and easy, you will have to do this.
Track what you eat and how it affects you. Does it create mucus or make you tired?
These are a few ideas. Add your own and be like a scientist. First just observe the elements and then interpret them to find patterns. Shift patterns and learn what makes a difference.
Every day we wake in a new instrument so this ability to track the voice and analyze the bio-energetic feedback it gives us in the quality of the sound is an essential skill to bring to every practice and performance.