Hey there! I hope you had a great day and I welcome you to the fifth part of my basic musicianship series. I'm excited to share with you today some of my favorite ways to connect with your voice to enhance your musicianship. Let me walk you through it, step by step.
First, let's talk about vocalizing. Anybody can use their voice - it's not just for singers. In fact, it's a powerful tool for all musicians, even if you're a drummer, guitarist, or a producer. I remember when I first started incorporating vocal exercises into my practice routine. It felt a bit strange at first, but soon I realized how much it was helping me internalize musical concepts.
If you're new to using your voice musically, don't worry! Start small. I began by simply trying to match pitches with my piano. I'd play a note, try to sing it, then check if I got it right. Gradually, I started attempting intervals - thirds and fifths are great. I'd play C, then try to sing E (a major third up), or G (a fifth up). At first, I was way off. With practice, I got better and better.
As I got more comfortable, I started challenging myself more. One exercise I grew to love is singing the same interval from different starting notes. I might start on C and sing a perfect fourth up to F, then move my starting note to G and sing up to C, and so on. It pushed me to listen with my mind rather than my ears. Don't have access to a keyboard or know your intervals? No worries. You can use one of the many free ear-training resources out there!
One of my favorite exercises is singing through the circle of fourths and fifths. If you don't know what that is, check out this video that explains it wonderfully. I start by singing individual notes around the circle. For example, I might start on C, then move to F, then Bb, and so on. Then, I challenge myself by singing the major triads of each new note - so instead of just C, I'd sing C-E-G, then F-A-C, and so on. I was amazed at how quickly this improves your ability to hear and understand musical relationships. Just like breathwork, it's a great workout for the ears!
There is a second aspect to a musical voice that is rarely talked about - the importance of speaking mindfully. I've always been fascinated by how actors can bring words to life, and I believe this skill is crucial for musicians too. It's all about prosody and word painting - fancy terms that mean using your voice to convey meaning and emotion.
I love practicing this by reading stories out loud. When I read to my niece, I go all out - coming up with different voices for each character, changing my posture, and looking around as if I'm actually in the story. It's so much fun, and it's amazing practice! For instance, when I'm reading "The Three Little Pigs," I use a deep, gruff voice for the wolf and high-pitched, squeaky voices for the pigs. My niece loves it, and I'm secretly working on my vocal skills!
This practice naturally extends to poetry and music.
I remember working on a song about heartbreak once. There was a line about sunshine, but in the context of the song, it was ironic. Instead of singing it brightly, I used a falling tone and a slower rhythm to convey the sadness behind the words. Speaking mindfully and with creative gusto informed this choice!
Remember, it's not about having a perfect voice - it's about developing your musical ear and understanding. Even if your voice cracks or wavers, the practice is still working its magic! I still hit wrong notes working on a new exercise, but that's all part of the learning process!
I hope these ideas inspire you to explore your voice as a musical tool. It's been a rewarding journey for me, and I'm excited for you to experience it too. Happy vocalizing!