Struggling with your mix? No problem!
One of the things that I get asked about the most as a voice teacher is, “How can I strengthen my mix?!”
No clue what I’m talking about?
Mixed voice is a style of singing that blends elements of your head voice (higher register) and elements of your chest voice (lower register). Knowing how to mix allows you to seamlessly transition through your vocal range, achieving a balanced and powerful sound. Not to mention the fact that if you want to learn how to belt, you’ll need to have a good understanding of how to mix.
So how the heck do you mix?
In this guide, we'll explore some effective techniques to help singers (like you!) improve and master their mixed voice!
1. Vocal Warm-ups and Exercises
a. Lip Trills and other SOVTs (semi-occluded vocal tract exercises):
Begin with gentle lip trills, or other SOVT exercises like straw exercises, sliding slowly from one end of your range to the other. SOVT exercises like these help coordinate the vocal folds through equalizing air pressure above and below the folds—in simple terms, it helps your vocal folds understand how they need to vibrate (and make sound) in the different parts of your range.
b. Sirens:
Try using siren-like sounds, starting from your low register and moving up to your higher range very slowly. These exercises can also help in achieving a smooth transition between chest and head voice.
2. Register Blending
a. Descending and Ascending Exercises using Slides:
Try singing some gentle slides on some bright vowel sounds like “Yay” or “Yeah”, moving slowly from one note to the other. However, in order to seamlessly transition through your register (range), you’ll want to start with slides that are slow and don’t use a lot of volume. By using less volume and moving slowly, the muscles in your larynx (aka your voice box) will be able to coordinate more effectively since less air pressure is involved.
3. Focused Resonance
a. Working with Resonance:
Practice creating a nasal sound (like "ng" in the word "sing") and then transitioning to open vowels like “ah”, aiming to feel the vowel in the same spot where you felt the “ng”. This aids in achieving a balanced and resonant sound in the mixed voice.
4. Breath Control and Support
a. Consistent airflow:
One of the things that I see singers struggle with when building their mixing skills is consistent airflow. When they approach the “break” spot in their voice (aka their passaggio), they tend to withhold air—this is definitely what you don’t want to do as a singer. Keep consistent, steady airflow as you sing through your break.
5. Consistent Practice and Feedback
a. Regular Practice:
Dedicate time each day to practice your mixed voice techniques. Consistency is key to improving and mastering this skill, as with any skill you work on as a singer.
b. Seek Feedback:
Record your practice sessions and performances to listen for areas of improvement. Consider working with a voice teacher (like me!) who can provide constructive feedback and guide your progress!
To wrap it all up…
Mastering your mix is an essential skill for any singer looking to enhance their vocal abilities and versatility—after all, it’s a skill used in virtually every genre of music! It requires consistent practice, the right techniques, and patience. By incorporating these techniques into your vocal practice routine and seeking professional guidance when needed, you'll be well on your way to unlocking the true potential of your mixed voice. Of course, if you’d like to see for yourself what mixing is all about, you can set up a free 30-minute trial lesson with me via this link. In the meantime, happy singing!
