Singing High and Suppressing Volume? - problem

I have a vocal coach from berklee who teaches lessons in his spare time at a local music school. We've been working on suppressing my voice's volume when i need to hit high notes. Basically my problem is that when i need to hit high notes, or go to the top end of my range, i tend to get REALLY loud. Is there a trick to fixing this?

These are the things me and my voice coach have been working on.

-Support, right posture, and maintaing correct posture while singing (Chest comfortably high, neck comfortably straight, and not tilting when hitting higher nots)

-Diaphram (building up a "barrel" of air in the stomach region to support high notes and stability)

-Openess in the throat, and trying to get rid of the idea that the throat is where i manipulate the pitch of notes.

Before working on my problem, we tend to do a lot of Vocal Fry, this helps a lot but i've only been able to correctly get to a high note without getting louder maybe once or twice.

i guess what im looking for is a different opinion from other people's words of advice, thanks.

It's partly psychological in my experience. If you know the note is right at the top of your range, you mentally and physically gear up for the "struggle" and this induces belting.

I've noticed that when singing along to the radio, if a song comes on that isn't a regular (but one I know) I've been surprised at the notes I've been able to reach without straining, because I've just been singing the notes without worrying about what they are. Whereas songs I know well that are actually lower, I have more trouble with because I know what's coming and tense up.

Perhaps, following this lead, you can try singing some blind arpeggios, using a computer program or friend to play the notes without telling you what they are and mixing them up a little (instead of the standard going up and up pattern.)

Just a thought...

When you go up, think down--focus on your gut as you go up and try to keep your neck and jaw as loose as possible.

Also, allow yourself to sound bad at first. It's likely the urge to produce a solid note that leads to excess volume--as though you can blow your way to the pitch. If you allow yourself to sound bad you'll be able to work with the tone until it sounds good without the extra volume.

Lip rolls are supposed to help with maintaining an even flow of air (and volume) throughout your range.

tg5-F-QSW34

I find this. If I ever have to sing really high and find it quite difficult, in order to get the sound out in a clear and smooth and strongish note, I have to use a lot of volume. If I try and go a bit quieter, it’s harder to keep the sound even, you know? A balanced sound…not too quiet or my voice cutting off and going silent momentarily, and then too loud again. Yeah. I don’t know how to fix this except something to do with more breath control I suppose.

Theater unmiced is how I used to do it. I am a loud singer simply becuase your best vocal tones come with great projection. This whol speech level singing bull{censored}. Listen to Rod Stewart. Thats what happens. Air speed gets you more high notes then constricting your vocal chords ever will.

All the greatest singer of the last 100 years of recording all gain volume with high notes.

This whole thing is stupid.

If you have to give your voice box breath support to properly sing a note. Your no different then many other professionals in both the theater and recording and performing circles.

People who peddle this speech level sining crap. Well they most all sing country. So who care what they have to say. They are akin to rappers becuase of the vocal style.

Oh! So I'm...doing it "right" then? It's just that for me, the alternative to increasing the volume a bit (not a LOT, just somewhat) is to be all weird and crappy sounding...breathy, squeaky, screechy, etc. It's cause I feel I physically have no choice but to go into my semi-classical style of singing to get those highest notes.

You'll have less dynamic control if you can only sing high notes louder. I'd rather be able to sing high notes quiet/soft and loud if I choose than just loud.

Okay, so you've now insulted speech-level-singing techniques, country singers, and rappers. Who's next? Glad to have you in the neighborhood.

I learned a lot from SLS, and I sing country. I don't yet rap, but there's still time, I suppose.

My response to the OP was based on his sense that he was getting too loud in the upper range. I agree with you that one must get a little louder up there; singers often compensate by backing away from the mic slightly during high passages. I don't think that anyone is suggesting that he should be speaky up there.

And +1 for Kberanek's point about the need for dynamic control.

i would love to be able to sing soft/mid/loud at any note, my problem's just when i go to the high-end of my range i feel like without that extra "push" (volume) i can't reach it for my life...

I'd like to hear a response from Al on this subject.

All I know is typically when you hit a high note it's simply the dynamics of the note placement which would warrant a louder pitch? So I don't see it as being an issue, but then again sometimes...like I said I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Wow, when we don't know what we're talking about, we just blast it and call it stupid. Why learn it the right way, when you can just scream your way into oblivion, like any other idiot? Great job on providing sound advice, Chuck...

Everything you're doing is good. The problem you're having is with focus: the higher you go the farther to the back of the head it goes. It's not the easiest thing to teach, but lately I've been having pretty good luck with my students...

I doubt you've had anywhere near the amount of profession vocal instruction I have, but please carry on.

Anyways dynamics and volume are not mutally exclusive items. you can sing with timber at higher volumes and even sound breathy at higher volumes.

I will make sure to tell Arethera Franklin you disapprove of her proper choir vocal training.

Becuase you haven't seen a seasoned professional voice coach. You aren't going to get objective technqiue feedback from a dude on cd.

Go buck up the $$$ and see a real professional vocal coach.

That hardest thing a singer can do is have a fiarly constant volume. Effecting the delivery by using various resonant cavity in your body is how most professional singer achieve the various inflections at a fiarly consistent volume.

I'll make sure to avoid your class's

I'll make sure to avoid your class's

Other that being a blabbering idiot with spelling problems, what else are you doing with your life?

High frequency vocal sound coupled with resonance is often perceived as high volume. When it's done correctly, one doesn't have to push more air to achieve it. Obviously it does not look like you've experienced this place yet.

So would I, but I haven't seen Al post since he said he wasn't going to be moderating anymore.