How to Stretch Chest Voice (i.e. Call Register): Sing Lightly or Belt?

BaritoneRockSinger

Hi, I am confused about how to stretch chest voice (i.e. call register).

This is because although Ken Tamplin says one should belt out the exercises in order to stretch chest voice, in the audio demonstrations he sings almost all of them lightly.

Should one belt out all the exercises on all the volumes in order to stretch the chest voice, or should one sing them all lightly like Ken Tamplin does on the audio demonstrations?

Thanks.

highmtn

You have to stretch chest voice lightly. You want to stretch. Don't strain. If you're straining, you'll need to reduce the volume and stretch more gently. Give it time. It's important to use diaphragmatic support and avoid overblowing the vocal cords. Don't try to march right up the scale. This takes months and even years. So you'll just be adding one note at a time, nurturing it and growing it, and as it takes root, gradually adding another half-step, and working on that one and so on.

Call register is at a slightly elevated volume. That volume helps to remain in chest register, rather than slipping into head voice. But if the notes aren't there, you'll have to start out small, and work your way up.

Better to be able to sing the note in a smaller voice than to blow it out by forcing a note that's just not there, yet.

I repeat. This is a long process, but it works. As the notes take root, and begin to grow, you can begin to lean into them with a little more volume, gradually, until they are full-fledged, official call register notes.

BaritoneRockSinger

Thanks a lot for your quick and detailed response.

highmtn

You're welcome.