To control your voice sound, focus on releasing tension, especially in your tongue, and practice vocal exercises.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Reduce Tongue Tension:
- Why it's important: Tension in your tongue significantly impacts your articulation, contributes to nasality, and introduces strain into your singing voice.
- How to do it:
- Tongue Stretches: Gradually and slowly stretch your tongue over time. Several exercises exist, including:
- Tongue Extension: Stick your tongue out as far as you can comfortably, then retract it. Repeat several times.
- Tongue Circles: Move your tongue in a circular motion, both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
- Tongue Slides: Extend your tongue and slide it from side to side, then up and down.
- Mindful Awareness: Pay attention to how your tongue feels while speaking or singing. If you notice tension, consciously try to relax it.
- Tongue Stretches: Gradually and slowly stretch your tongue over time. Several exercises exist, including:
2. Vocal Exercises:
- Purpose: Vocal exercises help you develop control over your vocal cords, breath support, and resonance.
- Examples:
- Lip Trills: Relax your lips and blow air through them to create a "brrr" sound. This warms up your voice and improves breath control.
- Humming: Humming helps you feel resonance in your chest and head.
- Scales: Practice singing scales to improve pitch accuracy and vocal agility.
- Sirens: Glide your voice up and down in pitch, like a siren. This helps you connect your vocal registers.
3. Breath Support:
- Diaphragmatic Breathing: Learn to breathe from your diaphragm rather than your chest. This provides a steady and controlled airflow for singing and speaking.
- How to practice: Place your hand on your stomach and feel it expand as you inhale. Your chest should remain relatively still.
4. Articulation:
- Enunciate Clearly: Practice speaking and singing with clear and precise articulation. This involves using your lips, tongue, and jaw effectively.
- Tongue Twisters: Use tongue twisters to improve your articulation speed and accuracy.
5. Resonance:
- Explore Different Resonances: Experiment with placing your voice in different parts of your body, such as your chest, head, and nasal cavity.
- Find Your Optimal Resonance: Determine which resonance produces the most pleasing and powerful sound for your voice.
6. Vocal Health:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords lubricated.
- Avoid Irritants: Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and other irritants that can damage your vocal cords.
- Rest Your Voice: Get enough sleep and avoid overusing your voice.
7. Seek Professional Guidance:
- Voice Teacher or Vocal Coach: A qualified voice teacher or vocal coach can provide personalized instruction and guidance to help you improve your voice. They can identify areas where you need improvement and develop a training plan to help you achieve your goals.
By consistently practicing these techniques and seeking professional guidance, you can gain greater control over your voice sound and achieve your desired vocal quality.
