Refining your articulation and vowel formation with Heidi Vass

TWI Refining Your Articulation and Vowel Formation Concepts

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Two Week Intensive on refining your articulation and vowel formation. In the next two weeks, you will be asked to read, watch, practice and post! One of the best features of the two week intensive is your ability to get actionable feedback! As you are working your way through the course, take advantage of the interactive features of the TWI, by posting videos of yourself and asking questions in the forum. I am happy to respond with written and sometimes even filmed advice that is specific to YOU! There will also be an opportunity to hop on a ZOOM session with me on July 1st at 11am PST. I will be there to answer any questions you may have about the assignments and your vocal music journey, in general.

 

DAY 1: Introduction

Goal: Define and understand the terms, anatomy and process.  

Watch: TWI: Introduction

 

Read: TWI: Refining Your Articulation and Vowel Formation Concepts

 

Day 2: Clarifying Vowel Sounds

Watch: TWI: Clarifying Vowel Sounds

 

 

IPA Italian Vowel Chart:

 

Curwen Hand Signs for Solfege (as mentioned in the video)

Practice:

Work on your formation for the [a] vowel.

Vocalize 1: 5-note pentatonic scale (1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1) on the [a] vowel.

Record yourself singing the vocalize and check your work.

Post your recording to this forum for feedback!

BONUS: practice curwen hand signs for solfege

 

Day 3: The Closed Tongue Position [i] vowel

Watch: TWI: a-i

Practice:

Work on your formation for the [i] vowel.

Vocalize 1: 5-note pentatonic scale (1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1) on the [i] vowel.

Vocalize 2:  Double 5-note pentatonic scale (1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1) on the [i] vowel first, then on the [a] vowel

        note: you can take a breath between vowels or challenge yourself to do the entire thing in one breath.

                  To make the exercise more challenging slow it down.

Vocalize 3: 1-2-3-2-1 with an [a-i] vowel switch on each pitch

        note: concentrate on keeping the vowels pure and distinct from one another.

Record yourself singing the vocalizes and check your work.

Post your recording to this forum for personalized feedback!

 

Day 4: PRACTICE

Take time today to review the shifts between the [a] and the [i] vowel.

Sing the exercises from day 3 and add the following:

Vocalize 4: Sing each vowel on a sustained tone in your middle voice (choose a pitch that is comfortable)

Alternate between the [a] and [i] vowels on your sustained notes.

Record yourself

Listen back and see if you maintained the same vowel.

TIP! as you are singing your sustained tone, rethink the vowel over and over again - mentally restating the vowel as you "hold" "grow", "engage," "develop..." the note.

 

Day 5: The Intermediary Vowel [e]

Watch: TWI: The Intermediary Vowel

 

Practice:

Review vocalizes 1-4

Move the tongue through the [i-e-a], [a-e-i] positions.

Vocalize 5: Sing the descending pentatonic scale (5-4-3-2-1) three times singing through the [i], then [e], then[a] positions. 

note: if you are an advanced singer, you can multi-task with this exercise and add a challenge for the breath by including appoggio work (keep the rib cage out the whole time and only release through the abs for the breaths in between the vowels). We will cover this in the live ZOOM session.

Day 6: Practice

Take time today to review the shifts between the [a], [e] and [i] vowels.

Sing Vocalizes 1-5

Record yourself singing the vocalizes and check your work.

Post your recording to this forum for personalized feedback!

 

Day 7: The Lip Vowels

Watch: TWI: Lip Vowels

 

Practice:

Move the Lips through the [u- o- Ɔ], [Ɔ -o- u] positions.

Vocalize 6: Sing the descending pentatonic scale (5-4-3-2-1) three times singing through the [u], then [o], then [Ɔ] positions. 

Vocalize 7: Octave leaps (1-8-1) [u-Ɔ-u]

Experiment with the closed-open-closed lip and tongue vowel movements

 

Day 8: Practice

Take time today to review the shifts between the tongue [i,e,a] and lip [u- o- Ɔ] vowels.

Sing Vocalizes 1-7

Record yourself singing the vocalizes and check your work.

Post your recording to this forum for personalized feedback!

 

Day 9: Mixing Vowels

Watch: TWI: Mixing Vowels

Practice:

Review vocalizes 1-7

Vocalize 8: sing the following pattern 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-2, 1 on [i-  e-  a- o-  u]

TIP! As with the Basic Vowel Switches, this exercise works best in the middle-range.

 

Day 10: Practice

Find a piece in Italian that you want to work on for the application

Take time today to review the shifts between the tongue [i,e,a] and lip [u- o- Ɔ] vowels.

Sing Vocalizes 1-8

Record yourself singing the vocalizes and check your work.

Post your recording to this forum for personalized feedback!

 

Day 11: ZOOM CHECK IN!!

Hop into the zoom call at 11amPST to go through a live demonstration and group diction workout. Be prepared with any questions you may have!

Topic: TWI: Refining your articulation and vowel formation with Heidi Vass Check-In Time: Jul 1, 2024 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89709667959

Meeting ID: 897 0966 7959

One tap mobile +16694449171,,89709667959# US +12532158782,,89709667959# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 360 209 5623 US • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 897 0966 7959

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kzbICWNf5

 

Day 12: Application

Watch: TWI: Application

 

P

Practice:

1. Choose a piece of music in Italian.

2. Write in the IPA for the vowels

3. sing vowel-to-vowel on each phrase (omitting the consonants)

 

Day 13: Record and Post

Record a sample of your technical work on your application piece (like "Amarilli" in the application video)

Post it to the forum

Compliment your colleagues on the wonderful work they are doing in this course!!

 

Day 14: Tips for Training

Watch: TWI: Tips for Training

 

In our last day of this challenge, learn how vowels and vowel-consonant combinations can help you define your resonance space and train your intonation.

 

Congratulations on completing this Two Week Intensive. I hope you have enjoyed the process and learned about the formation and importance of pure vowels. As always, if you have any questions or are looking for direct feedback on your work, do not hesitate to post questions or videos and in the practice diary or general questions of the forum. I am always here to help and encourage you on your musical journey. Happy Singing!

- Heidi 

113 replies

null
    • margaret_gottlieb
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi !  Nice to meet everyone. I am Margaret. I am the most excited to work on the [i]and [e] vowels  and get their resonance levels closer to my [a ]( which i practice way more , because I like it more ) 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Welcome! As a soprano, I think you will develop a love for the [i] vowel (especially through the middle voice). Can't wait to see how you do with this intensive!

    • JohnEric_Robinson
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi! John-Eric here. I study ear training and voice. I feel I'm just now, in my 57th year, learning how music works. I'm reviewing the 2-week breath intensive and appreciating this one. I've been working through Rachelle Jonck's Bel Canto lessons, which I deeply appreciate. The one note sustain and mesa di voce are perfect for me to work on two of my main issues, intonation and finding a medium volume (I seem to run soft or loud). I imagine diction may well play into my intonation issues, and am looking forward to getting feedback. Here's the link to my [a] vocalise: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uJI6wjGpN9ql3x_FlORi3nxsOQHyEThc/view?usp=sharing

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Just sent you a request for access to the google file (If you could shift the permission to anyone with the link, that would be great!). looking forward to listening and checking in on it. Diction (particularly vowel formation) is often the main culprit in issues with intonation. So glad that you are working through Rachelle's course, as well. So much for you to dig into this month!  As far as volume control goes, as you become more adept at adjusting your support and really controlling the breath, you will become much more skillful with dynamic changes. Like most of vocal technique, this is a process and takes time to develop nuance in the mechanic, but it will come with time and thoughtful practice :)

      • JohnEric_Robinson
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Done, thank you!

    • Raymond_Gornik
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi, I'm Ray, and been singing in choirs off and on up till covid, haven't gone back. Vocal training is basically non-existent until the Two Week Breathing Intensive and currently working to develop this skill. I'd like to grow in appreciation for classical singing and opera. Unfortunately, my exposure to this musical genre is very limited. Overall goal is to be able to sing and play the piano at the same time with a degree of freedom and expression that seems so easy for many. 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Singing and playing at the same time is a real challenge (lots of coordination).  If you would be willing to post a video of your playing and singing separately, I would be happy to give you a repertoire assignment that you can use to practice both skills simultaneously :) I know we are not working on that specifically with this TWI, but I am always happy to help!

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 9 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Just checking in to see how your TWI work is going. Let me know if you need any help :)

    • Sean_Mason
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Greetings,

    My name is Seàn I'm a musician and actor looking to improve my voice with an eye towards musical theatre. This is my first venture into any sort of proper voice training, my only knowledge of singing is what I've picked here and there from singer's I've worked with. My goal is to improve the quality and control of my voice through it full range. 

    I have completed the Day 1 assignment and work on Day 2 tomorrow, see you soon...

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Welcome! I have worked with LOTS of musical theatre singers (and started in musical theatre myself). If you have the time and energy, I would have you go back and look at the TWI we did on breath, as well  (if you were not with us for that one). Starting with these fundamental skills (breath and diction) are fantastic for musical theatre singers. The foundation for both of these skills applies equally to the musical theatre and classical styles (they tend to diverge slightly when we start to talk about managing resonance). Training classically for a musical theatre singer is a fantastic way to build those fundamental skills. Please don't hesitate to reach out for personal advice and suggestions. Though we are focusing on foundational technique in this TWI, I'm happy to offer repertoire and audition suggestions, if you need it.  I love helping musical theatre singers build their books ;)

      • Sean_Mason
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

        Thank you very much for your thoughtful response! I will take a look at the breath management TWI. As will will see my voice is rather course so any progress I can make is a significant improvement. Fortunately the part I'm wanting to audition is a crusty 49er, the part is analogous to like Ben Rumson in Paint Your Wagon (played by Lee Marvin in the movie adaptation). I have about eight weeks to work on my voice so I thought I'd give it a try and see what I can learn. I'll put up my practice recording in a separate post.

       

      Best Regards

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Given the quality you come to the table with, I would say eight weeks is plenty of time to work and hear some real positive growth in your singing. What a fun musical and a GREAT goal to be working toward :)

    • Sean_Mason
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Greetings,

    Here is a the link a Dropbox player of my Voice Memo recording of the Day 2 Practice. Please let me know if there is any issues accessing it.

    -Seàn

     

    Day 2 Practice Audio

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      This sounds great.. intonation is clean the entire time and your tone is really nice. In terms of the actual execution, you started a bit marcato and uneven (almost sounded like you were pulsing each pitch). As you went on, you found a better sense of legato and your phrases got more and more beautiful. Your [a] vowel stayed pretty clean most of the time. That said, there were a few moments where it dipped into the "uh" land. Just watch out for that and be vigilant. The only thing I would ask you to work on would be finding a consistent level of abdominal engagement (aka support) under the phrase. Start incorporating that abdominal breath with your vowel work. Thank you so much for sharing this! Truly sounds great. Looking forward to seeing what you discover and open up in your sound as you further develop your technique!

      • Sean_Mason
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Thank you very much for the feedback!

    • JohnEric_Robinson
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Here I am on [i]

    — John-Eric

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cw2RKO5vl0oybIE1xsFiNKtg3VeqTXb_/view?usp=sharing

      • JohnEric_Robinson
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       

      Two more:

      from [i] to [a]: 

      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UCgjFVUzGGwSwpj_7wyZMfyb3c9_NlAk/view?usp=sharing

       

      and from [a] to [i]:

      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EM5Cmk3jWKmwj84yikOv5aeXxiUcroDA/view?usp=sharing

       

      Heidi, I'm looking forward to your feedback! And anything anyone else in the intensive has to say, please do.

      I could tell my jaw moved to a more open position on [a] compared to [i], though I was trying to keep it the same.

      I did find my jaw wanting to open more the higher I got (in order to lower the larynx), but I think you're focusing on the middle register here.

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Listening to your videos and love the progress you are making!

      1. In the first exercise (just the [a]), the vowel was falling back and getting a bit heavy (this can lean the pitch flat if you're not careful). THEN, you went to the [i] exercise and it was wonderfully bright, but seemed a bit tight. Finally, as you are mixing the two vowels, you were letting them inform one another (so the depth you have in the [a] is releasing the space in the back on the [i] and the brightness you have on the [i] is keeping the [a] from getting too heavy. This is EXACTLY the lesson you want to learn with this TWI. Work toward the purity of the vowels, at the same time, allow the good parts of the resonance in each vowel to inform the overall shape of the vocal tract.

      2. The vibrato you are getting at the ends of your phrases is fantastic. I would suggest slowing down some of these exercises and as you are working on the purity of the vowel shape, try to have a clean even vibrato on each pitch (you need to take a slower tempo in order to get a few rounds of vibrato on each note). That is obviously not what we were focusing on in this TWI,  but it is a fun way to take these exercises to the next level. It's a great skill for you to practice given the beautiful even vibrato you are displaying at the end of your phrases.

       

      3. As far as the jaw is concerned, you discovered a natural truth in singing. You need to open as you go up AND not all vowels will be ideal in ALL parts of the range. That is normal and a good lesson to learn in listening to your body/voice.

       

      4. Also, you may be inclined to release the jaw a bit on the [a] vowel (it is an open vowel, after all). A little opening between the [a] and [i] vowel is not a big deal (if it keeps you from feeling tense). Just make sure it's not overdone.

       

      Overall, fantastic work! Your attention to detail is wonderful and it's great to hear the progress you are making in just a couple of days :)
       

      • JohnEric_Robinson
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Wow, thank you for your detailed feedback! I will do as you suggest and post later today.

    • Violinit
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi from a late comer here! My name is Yixi ('ishi'), a soprano and I play the violin too. I find "a" is very difficult and am learning tons already by watching Heidi's Day 1 video. Thank you Heidi! 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Truly, my pleasure!! The [a] vowel is the hardest for MOST singers! Hopefully, this TWI will help you clarify it and give you some real concrete ways to work with it. Glad to have you in the TWI :)

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 9 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Just checking in to see how your TWI journey is going. Let me know if you need any help!

    • margaret_gottlieb
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 2 [a] pentatonic video 

    https://youtu.be/wN2FdpIdgDc?si=pgDkQdrFIqo-swDE

    thanks !

      • JohnEric_Robinson
      • 10 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       

      I love the clarity of your tone, Margaret!

      And, inspired by you, I'm going to practice the signs as well (though I'll stick with fixed do, as my ear training teacher prefers)

      — John-Eric

    • JohnEric_Robinson
    • 10 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 4!

    Here are some longer versions on [a] and [i]: 

     

    sustained:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/183xdX7ehYLC9A4E5Vjt-q6h_5tNP4SHO/view?usp=sharing

     

    scalar:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YQBxHzfwC_u81UEz3st1ZebEd_tXV4JN/view?usp=sharing

     

    mesa di voce (to switch things up a bit):

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AMts9RYzGVgGxy23iPNHRvNZ-_dnjgy-/view?usp=sharing

     

    I sense my control is shaky, particularly on the mesa di voce. I've been singing a lot of sustained notes for a few days now, and they feel like they are developing more continuity and longer duration, little by little.

     

    I'd appreciate your feedback, Heidi, as well as any from others taking the TWI.

    Thank you!

Login to reply

Content aside

  • 2 Likes
  • 9 mths agoLast active
  • 113Replies
  • 138Views
  • 10 Following