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We are going to continue talking about vocal problems and how we can correct them. This month we will be discussing vibrato and singing under stress. So let's get to it.

What is vibrato? It is the shaking sound you hear in a singer's voice.

There are several different kinds of vibrato. Sometimes you will hear very fast or rapid vibrato that almost makes the voice sound like it quivers or has a tremolo effect. Then there is the very slow and uneven vibrato that seems to lope along. You want to be able to control the amount of vibrato in your singing. When singing in a group where the vibrato of each singer is very different it makes the vocals sound messy and the blend or harmony does not come together. That is why family groups have a better blend, the vibrato will usually match more evenly because their voices are very much the same.

What makes an irregular vibrato? It is poor breath support and a weak soft palate. The tones must be supported by an even flow of controlled air.

Doing the exercises that was talked about last month, to strengthen the abdominal muscles, will go a long way in correcting a vibrato problem. The exercises in last months article will help strengthen the soft palate, too.
The best way to retrain yourself is to work at singing straight tones until there is no vibrato in your voice then slowly add the amount of vibrato that you want back into your singing. Don't get discouraged, you can do it.

Something that is rarely considered a vocal barrier is emotional problems and stress. When you are under a lot of stress the vocal cords tend to stiffen and they will not function the way they would under normal conditions. The muscles in the body must be relaxed to sing properly and they usually become tight and rigid also when under stress. You may continue to sing but you do not want to make excessive demands on your voice. Sing more in the middle range where the voice can coast along without straining. When the stress is reduced your voice will return to normal. Seek counseling if you can't seem to get past the problem by yourself. Keeping your body under this tension for long periods could lead to vocal health problems as well as physical ones.

The past few months we have concentrated on the technical side of singing and we have covered a lot of information. Next month we will begin talking about vowel modifications and this is lessons that you do not want to miss. It will change everything about your singing and correct a lot of problems for you. So, until next time, read James 1:5 and ask God for his wisdom and understanding so that you can grasp the knowledge that God has for you in each of these articles. And as always, keep singing His Praise!

Marti Ledford

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