Singing Threw "The Mask"

I've been working very hard trying to find that sweet spot where my voice sounds best and I've narrowed it down to focusing on this concept that many voice teachers call "the mask"

At this point I'm barely catching on to it so please any advice would be greatly appreciate it.

So far I practice this concept by humming very loudly then switch into an open vowel but at times I feel like my tone is stuck in my throat -_-. Hard to explain but if you ever experience this road block you would understand.

you are on the right track. when you do the hum make sure you physically feel your lips vibrate where they touch your teeth. the vibration is very important. then when you release to an open vowel (do "ay"), "pop" into it like 1-2. Don't gradually transition, make it immediate.

this is straight up lunte's "resontant tracking" trickeroo

and it is "THROUGH" or "THRU" not "THREW", fool.

Whatever Duke said. Especially the 'threw -> through' part. Very important.

Also, searching for your mask is something you're gonna have to do sooner or later if you want to sound good without straining, so don't give this up!

My vocal coach gave me a few tips once.

1. Imagine a group of people say 50 meters away. You want them to hear what you're singing. Keep this in mind and see what happens.

2. Sing as if your voicebox was placed just behind your nose ridge (bridge?).

3. Don't be afraid of your own sound. Instead, try to sound more like _you_. It might take some getting used to.

This is great, I'm doing lots of humming so I'll throw the get the lips vibrating against the teeth and the 50 meters away thought going with it! I have been noticing when I break the "sing quiet so nobody notices how bad I suck" syndrome, my pitch and general tone get much better!

Hey,

Singing "in the mask" is a term used to help you feel that "good" resonance in your face and cheeks. This is the sweet spot you are talking about.

Humming is great as it makes you aware of this sensation. When you open your mouth, don't let tension take away, otherwise you will have that feeling you describe of the sound going "into the throat".

Try again and this time, the only difference between your humming and your "ah" singng is that you let your jaw drop downwards, freely and naturally. That's it! Don't change anything else, and don't try to "sing" more or add tone. All you are doing is humming, with your mouth open!! You know what I mean?

I hope you feel the difference, and that the sound remains in the mask, forward, bright and rich!

This is just a thought to get you on your way!

Have fun,

Andrew

Hey James, what's good?

I think I've mentioned this in another thread before. I don't think you should preoccupy yourself with "the mask" too much. Doing so can lead to very 'throaty' and tense singing. If you have the right set of exercises, then you will find "the mask" naturally. You need have a BALANCED set of exercises, such as a few exercises for 'thinning out' the cords as well as exercises that help stabilize your larynx.

Lately for me, practicing the 'ng' sound made my voice feel more "masky". Different things work for different people, but you could give it a try.

I've been working through the Ken Tamplin materials lately, and I find that his constant emphasis on clarity leads toward the mask. Just try to get an extra sharpness in your vocal--that bit of sizzle that comes from high-range EQ. Pronounce everything with extra clarity and see if that helps.

Actually, Ken's stuff has been extremely helpful to me, and this is just one example. It's funny how one or another teacher can "resonate" with you.

What is referred to as "the mask" come from the Italian school of thought regarding Bel Canto which means beautiful singing. When people when to masquerades they used to wear the fancy masks over their eyes and nose where you sinuses around your forehead nose, and cheek are. This is the head portion of your resonance chamber. To place your voice in this area, Melissa Cross (The Zen of Screaming) as an excellent exercise that I use often wit my students: Pitch Above the Pencil. Place a pencil horizontally in your mouth and pretend that you are pitching your voice above the pencil as you would a baseball ball.

The humming you mentioned is also useful. You can also use other consonants that will naturally emphasis your vibrations in the mask: V, Z, L, etc... Watch my video on this topic here:

http://valeriebastien.com/VY4singers-vocaltips4.html

Good luck!

Val

Could you explain that pencil technique in more detail, Oiselle? I don't quite get it.

Mmm... It's quite simple... You have to try it and visualize the ball leaving the floor of your abdomen as you apply support and pitching it (the focus/resonance of your voice) above the pencil that really a visual aid to devise the first bridge between chest and mix voice. Or you can imagine a water fountain originating at the bottom of your belly and the jet going up through the roof of your head with a lttle ping-pong ball on top of it (the resonance of your voice) floating on top. Hope that helps!

Great Tips thanks so much guys!

After a mini master class with my teacher I feel like I've reached a milestone in my improvement.

I learned today that I have to be at the point of almost yelling to please my teacher. My instructor call this a fully supported voice.

why do i get the feeling that what u consider 'yelling' is what most of us consider 'talking'

In reply to DukeOfBoom

LoL that could be possible.. Like you know how you meet people with a loud speaking voice and when they transfer that over to singing they will most likely have a full supported we'll rounded tone.

We'll i guess the problem I'm currently having is my speaking voice is kinda soft and laid back so when I sing its the same quality as that. So physically I feel like I'm yelling in order to get the proper projection and support. I also notice vibrato is starting to come naturally instead of being forcing it like I used too.

so, in other words, your speaking voice is soft and wimpy, and now that you have to use your big boy voice it makes you feel uncomfortable.

grow a pair.

you took the words right out of my mouth hahaha

In his own charming way Duke is probably right, when I say to hell with it and just cut it loose, I sound better as well.

I TOTALLY GET THE MASK THING, how freaking cool is that? It sounds like your voice is coming from in front of your face, at least that is how it sounds and feels to me, holy crap, you can add volume, and hold notes and pitch much easier! Thanks for the help guys!

This is incredible advice, I was struggling a bit today, and I remembered this post, wow, it helps with resonance and projection, and so so simple of a concept!