FOundational Exercises

Artistry is Commitmemt

CT Primary Control

MODULE 1

Work on a core exercise developed by the original Italian Bel Canto School of singing more than 300 years ago. This workout will target your heard register’s ability to “tone” into a more coordinated sound with a high level of vocal fold closure.

In the contemporary world of singing we call this “head mix” or “CT dominant mix.” At HOWL we refer to any specific sounds that mimic registers as “coordinations.” This immediately implies the necessity of training the natural registers to work together. Often in the music industry the word mix evokes the idea of a single sound. In reality, there are so many tonal optionals available to your voice with the proper training.

This is simply one of many.

DEMONSTRATION

Exercise TRACKS

Vocal Fold ToninG

MODULE 2

The ability to “tone up” and “relax” your vocal folds is essential - not only for developing control and strength in your voice - but also for singing commercial music. When you hear a pop/r&b artist using glottal onsets, cry tones, and a purposefully breathy timbre, they are directly affecting their voice at the vocal fold level.

In the past you might have thought of a glottal onset as unhealthy, or a breathy sound as an indication of a vocal limitation. This is true if you are stuck in one of those two coordinations. However, voices can get stuck in ANY coordination or sound. You can be stuck in a bright, colorless mix! A stuck voice is simply a voice that doesn’t have the ability to noticeably change their tone on a note. And you guessed it - tone is largely controlled by the actual physical TONE of your vocal folds.

The following exercises work directly on this. They should not be done at your top volume, and should you be careful to not over-pressurize your breath!

Exercise TRACKS