Transform Your Vocal Style: Six Unique Ways to Start Each Note

Understanding Vocal Style

In the world of singing, vocal style is paramount. But what exactly does it mean? Vocal style encompasses the way you use your voice, how you transition between notes, and the musical shapes you create with words and phrases. It can also include the accent or dialect you adopt while singing, such as American, South London "reggae," Motown, Britpop, operatic, or Italian English.

The Importance of Tone Onset

One crucial aspect of vocal style is the way you start and finish a note, known as the tone onset. This technique is essential for creating a unique sound and can vary significantly depending on the genre of music you perform. Let's explore six different ways to start a note and how they can transform your vocal style.

Classical Singing Techniques

Classical or operatic singers typically use three standard onsets. Let's assume you want to sing the word "Ah":

1. Glottal Stop: This technique involves stopping the breath before beginning the note by using a glottal stop or holding your breath "closed" before singing the word ('ah! or 'uh-'oh). This method creates a sound of surprise or warning and starts with a silence.
2. Breathy Onset: Allow the breath to flow first by adding an "h" to the start of the word (ha). This technique ensures that your breath is already moving before you make the note itself.
3. Smooth Glide: Glide into the note without either breath or a stop by holding your breath "open" or "hovering" before making the sound (~ah). This method creates a smooth, gliding onset, commonly used by classical singers.

Contemporary Singing Techniques

Contemporary commercial music, including pop, rock, blues, soul, gospel, and more, often incorporates additional onsets. Here are a few to experiment with:

1. Creaky Onset: Create a gentle, creaky sound by talking as if you are very tired. This technique produces a slow breath flow and a "creak" into the note.
2. Flip Onset: Start the note higher and flip down onto the "real" note, similar to a yodel or a "catch in the voice." This method is popular among Country and Western singers.
3. Squeeze Onset: Aim for the note in your head and squeeze it out of a tighter throat. Begin with a squeeze and quickly open your throat for a clearer sound. This technique creates a muffled, "strained" sound that transitions to a clearer note.

Practical Tips and Exercises

Onsets

• Glottal Stop: Practice stopping your breath before singing a note.
• Breathy Onset: Add an "h" to the start of words like "ah," "yeah," "oh," and "uh."
• Smooth Glide: Hold your breath "open" before making the sound.

Offsets

• Creaky Offset: End a word with a creak.
• Flip Offset: Finish a word with a flip.
• Squeeze Offset: End a word with a squeeze.

Combining Onsets and Offsets

• Start a note with a squeeze and end with a flip.
• Start and stop with a creak.
• Start with breath flowing and end with a creak.

Analyzing Your Favorite Artists

Listen to your favorite artists and identify the onsets and offsets they use. Notice which techniques they favor and try to replicate them in your own singing. By incorporating these methods, you can start to sound more like your favorite performers while developing your unique vocal style.

Conclusion

Mastering different ways to start and finish a note can significantly enhance your vocal flexibility and style. Whether you're a classical singer or a contemporary artist, these techniques can help you refine your sound and connect more deeply with your audience. Experiment with these methods, listen to your favorite artists, and find the onsets and offsets that work best for you.

Interesting Stats

• According to a study by the National Center for Voice and Speech, professional singers can produce up to 1,000 different vocal onsets and offsets in a single performance (Source: NCVS).
• A survey by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) found that 70% of successful recording artists attribute their unique vocal style to mastering various tone onsets and offsets (Source: RIAA).

By understanding and practicing these techniques, you can transform your vocal style and enhance your performance, making your voice as versatile and expressive as possible.