How vowel modification helps you sing better

Certain vowels tend to sound less good than others when sung, especially up high.

 

When you find that a certain word doesn't sound quite right, but the pitch is on and you're not sure what's wrong, consider modifying or "tilting" the vowel.

 

For example, if you sing the word "and" the way you say it, the vowel may tend to "splat" a little.  If you pronounce it as "end" instead of "and", it will often sound better.

 

Listen: 

Another troublesome vowel is the short I, as in "kit."  If it sounds too splatty, try modifying it to "eh."

 

And another vowel is "ee" as in "feel."  Another small vowel, it can almost always benefit from some more space.  Tilt it a little bit toward the "eh" of "fell" and it will open right up.  

Both of these changes are illustrated in this short sample:

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(c) 2011 Adrienne Osborn

Adrienne Osborn is a vocalist and performance coach based in Colorado.   For more free articles and tips, visit http://PerformanceHigh.net.

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