This lesson explains one of the widely used
training exercise for beginner voice training.
This is the
method better known as "Blow Bubbles". And it really
works.
It's hard to explain in words, but generally you blow out with your
lips closed gently, with the air sending your lips rattling in a
'bub-bub-bub-bub-bub' fashion.
I usually have a hard time convincing students to do this; it does
feels pretty funny and irrelevant. However, just being able to do
the bubbling, along with singing notes in it, is a major step in
training your voice to sing, or for some, re-training your voice to
recover from ill techniques.
How can one exercise be so 'miracle'? Well, in the first place,
it's used by top vocal instructors around the world. Second, it's
proven by science. The bubbling exercise works in 2 ways.
1) Just 'bub-bub-bub' with no sound works your diaphram. One MUST
use the diaphram in order to do this bubbling. A certain amount of
air pressure need to be maintain in your lungs throughout the
bubbling process. The diaphram dynamically changes it shape
throughout the exhaling process to maintain constant pressure. This
is the same process during singing(sustain of notes). If you can't
do this, then it's probably time you learn.
2) After you can bubble, try singing with it. It's not as easy, but
it greatly trains your vocal cord it operate in total freedom. For
those who simply cannot sing without squeezing your throat or any
other weird muscle action around the jawline, this is for you,
because any external muscle interference will stop the bubbling
process(tense lips and facial muscles). The vocal cord operates in
the way it was built for; a vibrating reed with air passing through
it. You'll also learn to experience vocal registers(covered in
another lesson).
The exercise is best done with a vocal guide who is familiar with
this technique. There are alot of subtles points and variations in
this exercises. However, in general,
i) The bubbling should be slow and steady, not like a motorboat
engine.
ii) There should not be a loud hissing sound.
iii) You don't have to sing loud.
iv) Start with low pitches, working your way up the scale
slowly.
v) Tuck in your cheeks.
This exercise is really simple for those who get it, and hell for
those who haven't.
Feel free to post questions regarding self-practise.