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Review of Chuck Gilmore's Voice Coaching Session - Larynx Exercises
I contacted Chuck Gilmore for voice coaching on lowering my larynx, especially when going for higher pitches.
This is when you go from chest voice to head voice.
Roger Love would say that there is a middle voice where you can make transitioning from low to high pitches better.
Here is my review of a 30-minute lesson with him, which costs USD 75.
One thing to note is that he is at time zone of GMT -7 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
My main issue was that I held back my resonance from going into my head.
And sometimes the larynx will go up at higher pitches.
As such, I will strain my voice when going from low to high.
This may seem like it's only applicable in singing.
However, when you naturally extend your vocal range, you can speak with more melody and range with ease.
He is a fantastic coach.
Throughout the 30-minutes, I was constantly engaged with vocal practice exercises while he gave feedback on the fly.
All the exercises were singing on scales with the different sounds like "Goo", "Gug", and the lower larynx sounds like in the video above.
It seemed like 1-hour to me.
He is also honest. I asked him if I should schedule another lesson with him.
He told me that I should look into practising what he recommended before going for another lesson.
In this sense, he cares about a learner's progress rather than getting business.
He told me that it's okay to let your voice crack a bit when you practice sounds and resonances that you are unfamiliar with.
And to remove the feeling of controlling your voice when going higher.
Higher should feel relaxed instead of tense, which was what I felt often in my throat.
The lower larynx exercises definitely do help to relax the throat for a conversation or speech.
Summary of Exercises
I understand the vocal exercises much better with the lesson.
We practised the 5-tone scale a lot for most of the sounds:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Then there's the sustaining high note exercise where you go
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
So you make the high note 4 times.
Do the bubble lip while practising the 5-tone scales:
The "Neh" sound is actually sort of opposite to the dopy "Goo" sound.
You want to sound ridiculous like a high-pitched witch.
Crunching up your face helps to make the sound.
A bit like an irritating, ringing sound.
Your voice may crack if you are not used to producing this sound when practising the 5-tone scales.
On the other hand, dopy "Goo" focuses on lowering the larynx.
Tips for the dopy "Goo" exercise:
- Make the "duh" sound with your finger on your throat.
Feel your larynx go down as you produce the sound.
It should sound dopy.
Check the video above if unsure - The higher-pitched sounds should resonate in your head.
Your throat should be relaxed rather than trying to clinch harder.
My main issue was trying to clinch to reach higher. Vocal tension.
Instead, let go of holding on to your chest, relax, and let your resonance soar into the head.
It should sound "hooty" like a ghosty sound. - Your lips should be in the shape when you make the sound "goo".
You may feel the tendency to straighten out your lips when going higher.
Maintain the "goo" shape.
If you have problems going from chest voice to head voice, try going from high to low first.
Singing/Speaking Higher
I did a simple search on whether chest voice and head voice differ in physiology.
Some differences.
However, the main problem is the discomfort of the different resonance.
When you stop feeling the usual resonance in your chest, there is a natural urge to pull back your voice to feel the resonance in your chest again.
It is important to be comfortable with the feeling of producing a sound that does not reside in your chest but rather your head.
Tips on Going Higher
- Resist the urge from pulling back your voice into the chest when going higher
Let the resonance go higher whether into the throat, nasal cavities or head. - Your throat should feel relaxed, not tense when going higher
- Put your finger on your throat to feel the larynx staying down.
What to Watch Out for When Practising?
As with any other topic, it is not true that practising longer makes you better.
Practice makes permanent.
Practising while tired will solidify your bad vocal habits and set you back even further.
Consistent, short practice sessions are better for improving than ad-hoc, long practice sessions.
Awesome Matthew, thank you so much!
Now I'm thinking of taking the same coaching lesson :).
Always a pleasure!
Voice practice can be quite fun sometimes.
Felicia Ricci seems to find taken down quite a few videos:
https://www.youtube.com/c/FeliciaricciTV/videos
I saw the video that you recommended of her.
It was really solid to understand more about resonances.
