The primary goal for the JDS Method of Singing is the even blending of the chest voice and head voice. You should be able to move back and forth between these registers with a seamless, fluid blend, without any flips or cracks. The key to achieving an even blend of chest voice and head voice is the proper functioning of the vocal cords. Finding that balance point is the subject of this article. Becoming aware of it will greatly benefit your musical training in the future.
The balance point is the central concept of healthy vocal cords. The balance point is a physical location, where the air meets the vocal cords. You can feel that point if you put your hand around your larynx and feel the vocal cords adduct. This concept of Balance includes the way that you begin notes: the balance between air flow and the tension of the vocal cords. Finding this balance is critical to the proper blending of chest voice and head voice, because if the vocal cords are in balance with the air flow from the diaphragm, a seamless blend of chest voice and head voice can not be attained.
To feel what it is like to sing at the balance point, put your hand around your larynx and begin to vocalize in a speaking manner. If you are doing this properly, at the balance point, you should only feel the air flow and the vocal cords. Avoid using a glottal attack, in which the epiglottis closes. The epiglottis is a fairly large muscle in comparison to the vocal cords, and it is important to eliminate the glottal attack from all singing while you are at the early stages. Otherwise, the pressure imbalances that will be caused will overload the vocal cords and a seamless blend of the chest and head voices will not be possible. Sadly, many singers have damaged their voices, even to the point of requiring surgery, through the improper use of the glottal attack in starting their notes.
- Healthy vocal cords are the result of singing at the balance point.
- The balance point is the correct combination of air and tension of the vocal cords.
- When you sing at the balance point, the sound will be similar to talking.
- Do not attack the note by closing the epiglottis.
- Spot-check yourself by placing the hand around the larynx as you sing.
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