Terrible tension
lordsammy
Pro Posts: 62
Hey guys,
I have for years had an ongoing tension issue from the High D up. By the time I get
To E it's pretty bad. I have always had trouble getting above there. Occasionally I get up to the f sharp. When singing something like sweet child I can hit the E in the second chorus.
The tension I get is a mixture of the digastric and those big muscles around the sides of the larynx. I am at the point where I have no idea how to relax these things. I know that my range is bigger than an E. I have a friend who started singing not long ago, I am generally a much better singer than him but he can get up to the g sharp as he has no tension. I am so frustrated with my tension it's getting me down about that part of my voice.
Now I know support is a factor for reducing tension. But I want to mention something about Brett Manning. Even though I am a devout KTVA student, Brett can hit super high notes with no tension, even though the tone is super light and weak and not what I want, I want to be able to achieve that type of relaxation in my throat muscles before support. Am I missing something?
It gets to the point now where those muscles are sore and tired after vocalising in that part of my range.
Thanks for your help again.
Sam
Comments
Hitting a brick wall above C5 usually has to do with carrying up too much weight, as suggested by @streeter. Ken suggests starting lighter down low in order to not have to shed so much weight.
Why you are tensioning your digastric muscle in the first place would be a question. There is no vocal gain to be tensioning a muscle that is used for swallowing and tongue control.
Any tension you should be employing should be strictly in your abdomen to support and help cut back the air.
A video demo would be a good idea.
Bob
So did you have that same issue with heaps of tension? I'm going to try the divas work out ASAP tonight when I get home. I want nothing more than to release that tension.
@bob so starting with minimal weight and volume?
I use my digastric due to time spent singing with lack of technique and it's now a bad habit.
Side note - I've found lately I'm my singing that using nasal resonance like Myles Kennedy and axle rose is very helpful in general singing. It sounds and feels nasal but in a good way.
Thanks heaps guys
Sam