Crescendo Exercise

Next, we're going to do our crescendo exercise. In this exercise, we'll focus on the following:

• Picking One Note: We'll crescendo on a specific note and then decrescendo.

Purpose of the Exercise

• Up until now, we have concentrated on releasing extraneous pressure and tension in the voice.
• With half of the course complete, our goal is to engage the proper tension in the voice.

Important Note: It's a misconception that the voice can operate effortlessly with zero tension. The voice requires:

• Air Pressure
• Vocal Cord Closure

To function correctly. The key is to minimize the extraneous operation of other muscles.

How to Perform the Exercise

1. Crescendo on "Ah": We will perform the crescendo exercise using an "ah" on a single note.

2. Choose a Middle Range Note: Start with a mid-range note and slowly crescendo into it.

3. Maintain Pitch:

   • The key here is to not shift the pitch as you get louder.
   • Many people unintentionally raise the pitch while increasing volume.
   • Focus on holding that even single pitch throughout the entire crescendo exercise.

Physical Engagement

As you increase volume:

• Your abdominal muscles will engage to produce a stronger sound.
• Avoid forcing the sound from the throat, as this leads to tension and strain.

We want to hear:

• Controlled sound production from the lower abs, not from the throat.

Follow Along

Please follow along with the audio portion of this course to access the complete exercise.