Dynamics in Singing

Understanding Dynamics

So this lesson is about dynamics in singing. When we think about dynamics, it's really about moving from softer sounds to stronger sounds and back again, including everything in between.

• Dynamic Range: This range can add a sense of movement, excitement, and enhance your emotional communication.

Experimenting with Dynamics

At this stage, when you're experimenting with your dynamics:

• Use Your Perception: Focus on how it sounds and feels when you get louder.
• Feel Your Way: Don't worry about specific instructions like, "do this with the body." Just experiment with what you perceive.
• Recognize Differences: You know the difference between soft and loud without going breathy. That is the challenge.

You're not going to extreme volumes or extreme softness. Instead, you'll experiment with a gentle contour of slightly louder and slightly softer sounds, developing fine control.

Key Terms

Often you might hear a chord getting louder called a crescendo and getting softer called a diminuendo.

• Crescendo: It sounds like it's building.
• Diminuendo: It sounds like it's diminishing, getting smaller.

Exercises

It's very useful in our exercises to incorporate elements of dynamics.

Five Note Scale

Let's return to our five-note scale and add dynamics.

1. First Exercise:

   • Sing "la" on the following pattern:
   • Pitch: la la la la la la la la la
   • Instruction: Don't make the top too shouty. Aim for a gradual increase in volume.

   Try it with me:

   • Together: La la la la la la la la la

   This should be gentle, not extreme.

Soft Singing Challenge

Sometimes, when I ask people to sing more softly, they immediately get breathy.

• What to Avoid:
  • Incorrect Example: "la la la la la la la la la" (breathy and abrupt changes).

At this stage, we'll work on building volume gently and bringing it back down.

1. Try Together:

   • I will sing first:
   • Count: "Three" and then sing: la la la la la la.

   Your Turn: Have a go!

Next Exercise: "Oo"

Now we're going to try it on an "oo." This might be harder to control, and you may feel a slight loss in pitch accuracy.

• Count: Three and then sing: "oo."
• Together: Let's do it and focus on swelling a little bit in the middle.

Your Turn: Good on your own!

Conclusion

Now that you've practiced these exercises, don't worry if it takes some time. Many of these exercises are designed to help you improve, and it will get easier.

Final Tips

• Practice different vowel combinations and consonant sounds to see what works best for you.
• Remember: Don't go to extremes. Focus on gentle builds and softening (diminuendo) at the end without going breathy.