The Human Voice: An Introduction

The human voice is an exquisite instrument that the majority of us inherit from birth. It is one of the most expressive instruments and because we all posses one, it makes learning and experiencing music very accessible. Here are a few guidelines into understanding how your voice works, and how you can begin to develop it through singing lessons.

1. Posture: Good singing begins with posture. Your head should be centered above your spine, facing straight ahead. Legs should be shoulder-width apart, ready to support the diaphragm and lungs. It is possible to sit with healthy singing posture but standing is always the first and best option.

2. Breathing: To sing is to breathe. Air goes into your lungs via your mouth and esophagus. The muscle that actually brings the air there is you diaphragm. Located underneath your lungs right below your last rib, your diaphragm will push down and will expand your stomach as you inhale, and will push upwards when you exhale. Try laying down with a textbook on your stomach and see if you can make it move when you breathe. If you do it correctly, this

3. Voice Maturation: The human voice takes a surprisingly long time to develop. In fact, it doesn’t start honing itself until around the age of 22! Too many students (and unfortunately teachers) will diagnose a person’s voice type far too early, which can result in practicing repertoire that will not serve your voice, and possibly damage it. For beginners, it is recommended to sing what is comfortable and to explore a wide range of repertoire.

4. Healthy Singing: The vocal chords, as resilient as they are, can only take so much stress. When singers breathe and phonate poorly, the vocal chords can sometimes press together (also called “pushing”). When this occurs, calluses, or vocal nodes can form on the vocal chord. Vocal rest and powerful steroids prescribed by a doctor can help this condition, but some voices never recuperate. This is why (assuming you have a wise teacher) that the bel canto style of singing found in classical music, is usually a smart and healthy way to introduce students into singing properly.