VOCALS
STRETCH YOUR RANGE! | Sheri Gould
One of the most frequently asked questions much the same way as other muscles. You can my mantra is “Warm-up every day of your life
I get is, “How do I stretch my range?” Often strengthen them. You can stretch them. As with and you won’t lose what you have” (even if it’s
times I’ll get this question from an older person any other set of muscles, you’ll want to stretch just in the shower!)
who feels they’ve lost range they once had. Is them gently. The way to stretch vocal cords it possible to stretch your range? Even when gently is by doing vocalises (vocal exercises) Set out to discover what your comfortable
you’re older? The answer is a resounding YES! incrementally. Take your exercises slowly at range is now. Make good notes as to how high
first, using exercises that involve only half steps and low you are able to go at this time, and
WHY? and whole steps. Move systematically up and how it feels when you do. This will help you to
Perhaps it seems obvious that having a larger down scales by moving up only a half step each recognize your actual progress as you make it.
range would be beneficial, but, in spite of that, time you restart your vocalise. Once you are Then set your sights on stretching past those
many people never really make the move to fully warmed up, you can get a better stretch. limits. Do this slowly. Don’t look for miracles
acquire all that they can with regard to range. overnight; be patient and set a goal for one
The more range you have, the more notes you extra note at a time. If you find that it’s getting
can sing…ha! Of course that’s true, but it also
can enable you to be more flexible overall as a
singer. Being able to sing a song in a multitude
of keys makes it easier for you to fit in many
more places. It can enable you to sing different
parts of harmony, or simply switch from a lower
to a higher harmony, depending on what your
team might need. Flexibility and adaptability
are both wonderful traits to have in a singer,
especially a singer in any type of team or choir.
But there’s more. Having more range is kind of
like being in better shape. When you stretch
regularly and work out to strengthen your body,
you are able to function better overall– not
just when you are working out. It’s the same
way with your voice. When you take the time
to work on your range, you are less likely to
push yourself in an unhealthy manner vocally.
Instead, you become more familiar with your
voice and can better assess what is attainable
Flexibility and
adaptability are
both wonderful
traits to have
easier to sing, then go ahead and stretch as far
as you comfortably can. Sometimes, simply the
process of warming up fully and correctly will
help you stretch your range quite a bit!
BE MINDFUL
Always pay attention to your body when you
are singing. Your body is always talking to you.
It’s telling you the good and bad of what you are
doing. Please pay attention to it. If something
in a singer,
hurts, stop doing it. If you are sore or hoarse
after warming up, do something differently next
especially a
time (don’t push yourself so hard). Make sure
you watch yourself as much as you can when
singer in any
type of team
you attempt these types of exercises. Your body
may be doing things that you don’t necessarily
feel, but can see if you are watching. So be
mindful and pay attention.
Having a wider range is a joy! I hope you are
or choir.
able to put some time into it and enjoy the
benefits.
and what is not. Of course, the outer reaches
of your voice will become stronger, clearer, and
more usable, but the other parts of your voice Be sure to stretch on a daily (or as close as
will benefit as well. Suddenly, the rest of your you can to it) schedule. Your cords will respond
range seems easier to sing! much better to a daily routine. We want the
vocal cords to remember how to stretch so
HOW? they respond easily to those bigger stretches.
The vocal cords are muscles. They function Those of you who have heard me teach know
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July 2018
Sheri Gould
An internationally acclaimed vocal coach. She’s
been helping artists and worshipers find their voice
for over 40 years. For help and resources visit...
www.SheriGould.com
WorshipMusician.com