Voice 101 page 9
learning to sing better
2. Vibrato
Some people's voices seem to wiggle or vibrate when they sing - it usually happens when they hold a note for awhile. This is what we call vibrato. Some singers have a fast vibrato, some singers have a slow vibrato, and some singers don't have much or any at all. Vibrato is not something you try to do with your voice - it just happens. Can you train your voice to have vibrato? Yes, with lots of time and practice you can.
Some people can develop a vibrato at a very young age - other people might not be able to develop a vibrato until they're in their 20's or later! Females generally develop the ability to create a vibrato between the ages of 15 and 19, males between the ages of 16 and 20. It's rare for an unused singing voice to suddenly have a vibrato, so if you're an adult just beginning to sing don't worry too much about whether or not you have a vibrato. Keep singing and you will develop one!
3. Pitch Accuracy
Pitch accuracy is a phrase used to describe how in tune a singer is. Many people think you have to have very good pitch accuracy to be a good singer - but there's lots of famous examples of singers who don't have good pitch accuracy. Happily, just about anyone can improve their pitch accuracy with practice.
4. Diction
Can you hear every word the singer is singing? Then they have really good diction! As a singer, it can sometimes be hard to make your words understood - especially if you're trying to sing fast or really high. Some styles of music need singers with really good diction - if you're interested in singing in musicals on the stage you'll need good diction - while other styles of music would sound silly with that kind of singer. Your diction can easily be changed with practice to suit the style of music you're singing.
5. Vocal Tones and Qualities
Vocal tones can be either thin or rich.
A singer with a thin tone can make notes sound sharp and cold.
A singer with a rich tone can make notes sound thick and warm.
continued on page 10
