Have you ever wondered how famous opera singer, like Pavarotti, or famous pop singer, like Adele, strikes those high notes? Do you think of your voice as something that just comes out when you want it to? The thing is many people know little about their voice, especially singers. You would expect that someone who spends a lot of time dishing out sonorous tunes should know everything about the subjects of singing and voice. Well, since this is hardly the case, you can rest easy because we are here to educate you.
The human voice can be described as a sound that emanates from the larynx and is delivered through the mouth in speech or singing. The voice is the primary means of communication between people.
Weather you are a professional or armature singer, your vocal health is very important. You have to recognize that your entire body is your instrument and understanding how it operates can affect your performance. To help you, here are some interesting facts about singing.
1. We all have unique voices
You must have noticed how everyone around you has a different voice. Regardless of if they are singing or speaking, the sounds you hear vary. Rather than being a natural phenomenon, there is a biological and scientific explanation for this. It all starts with how the voice is formed. Initially, your voice begins in the lungs where the air you breathe out creates an air-stream in the voice box or larynx and the trachea.
The vocal cords which are also described as vocal folds are stretched across the larynx. As the air passes over these vocal cords, there is a quick vibration that produces sounds. Now, the higher the frequency of this vibration, the higher the pitch you produce. This is determined by the tension and length of the vocal cords. The interesting thing is, this entire process only results in a buzzing sound. Other parts of the body such as the nose, mouth, and throat carry on the process by reverberating the sound. Our voices are different because the size and uniqueness of these reverberators produce various sounds. Therefore, as a person ages, the voice can change because the body changes. Now, listen to the difference of sounds among the famous 8 opera singers. They all reached to the maximum possibility of their singing ability, yet they all have unique timbers and sound colors.
2. Lifestyle habits can make or break your singing
Certain lifestyle habits can hold you back from your full potential. For example, smoking and drinking. Smoking increases the risk for throat cancer and can cause irritation to the vocal cords. When these things go on unchecked, your singing becomes limited. However, if you avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible you can sing nonstop and on any note without going hoarse.
Did you know that Adele suffered from vocal cord hemorrhage. Find out more about Adele’s life: Inspiration from the Life of Adele
3. Regular people can sing too
As a singer, you probably feel there is something special about you. In today’s world singing is like a superpower that impresses most people. A fun fact about singing is, normal people who you won’t consider singers can successfully sing two-and-a-half octaves without straining, breaking, or making any weird noises. But for beginner singers, make sure avoiding these common mistakes: Some of the most common mistakes of Beginner Singers
4. There’s strength involved
Over a hundred muscles in your body work together for you to sing or speak. They include the muscle of the tongue, lips, neck, chest, and jaw.
5. Good singer bad singer
We classify someone with no singing coordination as a bad singer. It is important to understand that no one is born with the ability to be a good singer. This is something that must be developed. Most so-called ‘bad’ singers have great vocal ranges and can discern musical notes effectively.
6. Tone deafness
Did you know that about 4% of the world’s population are tone deaf? Tone deafness is referred to as amusia, and it is when a person can’t distinguish between notes. Tone deafness usually occurs because of childhood fever, indifference to music, fear of embarrassment, or depression. If you cringe when you hear your friend or co-worker mess up karaoke night, then you are not tone deaf. Unfortunately, your friend probably is because you can see him smiling and enjoying every bit of it.
7. Eating rules for a good singer
We have established that your body is your precious instrument. You can only get what you give from it. In some cases of a bad performance, you might think you were overcome by nerves, but the problem could be as basic as breaking the singer’s eating rules. The strange thing is, the singer’s eating rules are interesting facts about singing that only few people know.
• Do not drink carbonated beverages before and during a performance
• Avoid eating any more than one and a half hour before the show. It will reduce your body’s support and increase the risk of regurgitation while you sing.
• You cannot hydrate your vocal cords quickly by drinking water- didn’t see that coming? A lot of singers drink water before or during a performance to help the throat and vocal cords stay hydrated. It is not wrong to do this, but the fact is no drink or food can come in contact with your vocal cords. The only way they get hydrated is after a long time when the body has absorbed the liquid. So, this means that drinking water only refreshes you but does nothing for your voice.
8. Stimulate the brain with music
Making music is a cognitive process. Researchers say doing this at least once in two weeks helps you to develop better brain function, memory, and focus. It is an effective way to prevent cognitive decline as you get older.
9. Love and voice
It has been discovered that the brain interprets the voice of someone you love or trust differently. This reduces stress levels and promotes positivity. A classic example researcher’s use is a mother and child. A child’s stress hormone is reduced and replaced with oxytocin- the hormone of love- when he/she hears the mother’s voice.
10. Anyone can sing
Singing is just like walking and everyone can walk if they try. A ‘bad’ singer can become great with some exercise and perseverance.
Every singer needs to build the right relationships to develop this ability. If you want to learn more, become a better performer, or simply lose the title of bad singing connect with us at Willan Academy of Music. Find out why our voice lessons are top-rated in New York City: Singing Lessons in New York City.
Interesting facts about singing (Voice):
1. If you take proper care of your voice (don’t smoke or drink often) and learn to sing correctly, you can do it none stop as much as you want without getting hoarse.
2. A normal person without extraordinary ability can sing two and a half octaves without any straining, breaking, or any weird noise.
3. The muscle of your neck, jaw, lips and tongue all work in collaboration for you to sing or speak. More than 100 muscles of your body all work collectively when you sing or speak a single phrase.
4. Being a good singer is not a born trait. Research shows that most ‘bad’ singers can discern musical notes well and they have vocals ranges similar to great singers.
5. The sounds of every individual are unique. Not only due to shape and size of their vocal chords but also because of the form and size of the rest part of the person’s body.
6. Less than 2 percent of the world people is tone deaf. It usually happens from a high childhood fever. If you cringe when you here a karaoke singer miss notes, or can’t endure a bad violin player, then you are not tone deaf. You just require some work putting together your ear with you vocal chords. It’s a somehow like rubbing your belly while tapping your head simultaneously.
7. You have two sets of muscles that control the vocal chords, one in front and one in the back that act like zippers to open or close the chords to make a particular pitch. The farther outside of you optimum pitch you go, the more gentle the balancing act between the two. That is where training comes in.
Finally, another fact, and the most important. Even a terrible singer can learn to sing quite beautifully with a little exercise and some perseverance. If you have perpetually wanted to train to sing than now is your chance to start. Do not wait another day pass for another excuse. Get started, and go for it.