Susanna Barasch

One of the most overlooked moments in singing happens before the sound even begins. Not during the phrase. Not on the high note. Not in the vowel. Before. There is a tiny moment between the inhale and the onset of tone where the singer either organizes the body — or abandons the body and lets the throat take over. In bel canto singing, this moment matters enormously.

Singing with "mask" resonance is a ubiquitous term in bel canto singing style. It refers to the hard surfaces and boney cavities in the face--especially the hard palette and the sinus cavities in you cheeks, nose and forehead--that the vibrations you vocal chords make use to resonate, like a cave or a cathedral for your voice.

So much of singing is having proper body alignment. Without proper alignment, breath cannot flow effortlessly and tension pulls on the voice. Your posture is only as good as your breathing habits and your breath is only as good as your body alignment. Here is a list of videos you may find helpful to your singing. Say "No" to Belly Breathing I've had it out for "belly breathing" for years. I hear it in almost every single exercise class, especially yoga. Only breathing into your belly is not...