by Cari Cole
“Magic High Notes”:
There is a trick most vocal coaches know (if they’re good).
If you want a singer to sing better high notes, teach them to take a deeper breath and press down on their diaphragm.
It’s true.
High notes require a faster speed of breath (so you need more of it) and more resistance (so you want to keep the diaphragm down).
To practice this – let’s do another vocal lesson.
Stand in front of the mirror.
Put your hands on your ribs (high up on your ribs under the bra strap or 2 ” under the nipple line. Grab your ribs with your thumbs wrapping around back.
Squeeze your ribs together and take a SLOW breath letting the incoming breath slowly push your ribs outward. Try NOT to breathe up into the chest but concentrate on the breath pushing your ribs out to the side (like they are on hinges).
Exhale.
Do it again and this time at the end of the incoming breath, let the last breath push your back ribs out (where your thumbs are).
Repeat this each time trying to stretch open the back of your ribcage (your back).
Do not lift the chest and feel free to round your back and bring your head slightly forward to stretch out your back more.
Now take another breath like this and as you exhale push downward in to your abdomen.
Do it again but this time say “AHHHHHHH”.
Make sure you do not tighten your throat as you press downward. And be sure not to drop the chest as you press downward. The chest stays upright. (this is a little trickier than the “Instant Fix”)
Now – do all of that again and sing a phrase of a song that is a little high for you (make sure your head is NOT forward and your chest is upright).
Did you notice the high notes came out easier?
Practice this motion every day to work it into your muscle memory and your songs (you have to consciously direct your body in this way and pretty soon it will become muscle memory!)
I love this one — it makes singing high notes more consistent and fun!
Once you start practicing it and find the results, I’m betting you’ll love it too!