TRY YOUR VOICE ON THESE!
My favorite singing exercises for placing and developing the voice
THE exercises found on the following pages are intended to serve as a foundation group. Variations and further additions must be arranged at the discretion of the teacher whenever necessary to bring out or develop the individual voice. Personal errors must be handled in a personal way. Every student will need his own particular variation of exercises, whether it be in the vowels used, the number of times each exercise is sung, the range employed, or the technique stressed. These exercises are based on the premise that vocal line, in other words, correct placement in every tone, must be established from the first. Breath control, vocal agility, perfect ear, and complete mastery of the voice are acquired through definite steps that cause the student to understand and practice so as to develop as quickly as he can.
Each type of exercise must be mastered and sung correctly, with pure and perfect vocal line, before anything more difficult is attempted. That does not mean that a single exercise should be sung to the exclusion of all others, but variations on that particular exercise should be worked upon before the student is put to trying an exercise beyond his range of voice, agility, or breath control.
While examples given here are for the most part written in one key only, C major, it should be understood that each exercise is intended for use in all keys. The exercise should first be given in the key appropriate for the voice performing it, and should be repeated a semi-tone higher (except in such instances as specifically noted) until the limit of the voice range is reached.
The student should not expect to encompass immediately the entire limit of range appropriate for his voice. He should at first be taught to use the exercises as far as comfortable for him, and his range will be extended slowly by dint of continual practice and instruction.
Initial use of the syllables "oh" and "ung-oah" is preferable until the teacher feels that the exercise has been sufficiently mastered to allow the use of other (ordinarily more difficult) vowels. The exercise should then be taken through its complete ranges, using each and every vowel. Not all at one time, naturally, but during the course of a few practice or lesson periods.
It must be remembered that complete relaxation is necessary at all times. The teacher must endeavor to assure himself that his student’s mouth is open, relaxed, and free, whatever the exercise or the vowel sung.
Since some students find it easier to use other vowels than "oh," the easiest should be the first, and all others must follow, but only under careful instruction that avoids stiffening, nervousness, and consequent loss of agility and range.