In my previous blog post told you about the journey of how I got more free and creative, confident and skilful with my voice. And I offered to share some solo exploration games that could help you do the same.
So here I am with them, honouring my word! Last time I described 3 general principles for creative singing, and I'll make sense of them here. What I'm offering today is
A. The principles explained
B. Solo exploration exercise for freeing up your voice
C. 2nd level of the exercise for deeper results
A. The principles explained
1. 'Lay out some ground' - when you want to use your voice freely, you can, but it does help to have something, some sound, musical outline, basic track as the 'ground' for you to play on. You could use a riff, a bassline, a set of chords, a rhythm, or a drone.
Improvisation means 'a balance between form and freedom' so you lay down this ground (play an instrument or use a recording) as the 'form' and then you play freely with your voice, in relation to it. You discover as you go along where the relationship sounds good, and where it doesn't.
2. 'Throw up your rope to the sky' : By this I mean connect to your inspiration, or something beyond your ordinary self, trust, let go, allow what comes through;
3. 'Start moving' by this I mean, start making sound / singing, whatever comes, just enjoy it, don't block or judge it, let it change & flow, ( A bit like stream of consciousness writing) - but keep listening to the relationship between your sound and your musical ground.
. Solo exploration exercise for freeing up your voice: I've recorded 5 minutes of music as the 'ground' for you to sing with. It's a drone played on a harmonium, ( a drone is a single note played continuously).
All you have to do is sing with it, however you like: move your voice around in slides, leaps, contours and patterns, on any vowels or syllables. The drone is magic because its like a dear friend that supports and accompanies you wherever you go and does not judge you. Indulge in this!
Visit THIS LINK to play with the music I've recorded for you.
Aswell as being enjoyable, singing like this will tone up your voice.
C. The second level of the exercise
Now, if creative singing is second nature to you, and you don't need this opportunity to improvise with a drone, I have something additional to offer you.
This will help you develop flexibility, health and strength in the actual physical instrument of your voice.
What it is: Do the same thing as I have just described - sing freely with the drone -vocalise throughout your range - whilst doing this:
First, stick your tongue out as if you were being rude to someone, but a bit further, and then bring your teeth together on your tongue so it can't escape.
Second, at the same time sway your head around gently as you sing, any way except backwards.
This, believe it or not, will gradually help your vocal cords to work more effectively, so you'll develop more consistency & agility in your voice & increase your range.
It's because tongue and neck tension are big culprits in limiting the movement of your vocal cords, and this helps to release it.
So have a go! Have fun! Let me know how it goes and what you discover! Any shifts happen? Any uplevelling of skill, confidence, artistry?
And if you want to dive deeper into exploring your voice with guidance, support and a creative group, then you are very welcome to join my 'Voiceplay' Creative Singing Sessions! Find out more at Voiceplay!
Bye for now! Do leave a comment to share your views on this! X
