Practicing with SOVT Sounds: Pitch Glides

This week we further discuss how to practice with semi-occluded vocal tract sounds.

In the December 15th Vocal Fitness Friday, we described the benefits of singing with SOVTEs (semi-occluded vocal tract exercises) using single notes. Another great form of SOVT exercise is pitch glides or sirens. Start at a low pitch, slide your voice up gradually like a siren, and then gradually slide your voice back down to the starting note. 

Pitch glides help your voice to be more flexible by stretching and contracting the muscles inside your vocal folds. As the pitch goes up, your vocal folds stretch and get longer, and as the pitch goes down, your vocal folds contract and get shorter. Over time, this exercise can also help improve your pitch range. 

Ready to try it?

Choose your SOVT sound (lip trill, humming, singing through a straw, or singing through a straw submerged in water). Start at a comfortable low pitch and slowly glide up to a comfortable high pitch and then glide back down to the starting pitch. Try to stay in a range where your voice can glide smoothly without cracking or breaking.

Here’s an example: 

Start on C, glide up to G (a fifth higher), then back down to C. From there, you can continue going up by half-steps (D flat-A flat-D flat, D-A-D, E flat-B flat-E flat, etc.)

You can do your glides over smaller intervals, or larger intervals, or even stretch your voice from your lowest to your highest note! Just make sure you stay in a pitch range that doesn't feel strained or pushed.

See you next week,
Your SonoVoice Team

Next Week: Trouble-shooting SOVTEs

You are a vocal athlete!

Athletes put superhuman demands on the human body. They practice to stay in shape, get better and prepare for the event. No athlete expects to perform at their best without working on their technique, practicing skills, and preparing for the game. 

The same goes for you as a vocal athlete. Practice will help you be prepared for your event: performance. Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut! If you want to be at your best as a singer, you’ll need to establish a regular vocal exercise and practice regimen.

In our weekly Vocal Fitness Friday email, SonoVoice's team of experts in science-based voice training  will be sharing information about how the voice works, tips on keeping your voice healthy, and ideas for vocal exercises for peak vocal fitness.