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Hey singers!
It's Justin Stoney the founder of
New York Vocal Coaching
joining you for episode 36 of Quick Singing Tips.
Today we're hanging out on a famous New York Street.
Is it Broadway?
Nah.
Park Avenue?
No sir!
Fifth Avenue?
Central Park West?
Wall Street?
Avenue Q?
None of the above!
Today we're together on 6 1/2 Avenue.
Yes this is a real avenue, I didn't make it up.
6 1/2 Avenue is literally in the heart of everything.
Midtown Manhattan!
Next to Times Square, Rockefeller Center,
Carnegie Hall, Central Park,
yet most people don't know anything about it
and haven't even heard of it!
Which leads us to our question from
Fredrik S. in Hanover, Germany.
Fredrik writes, "Dear Justin, I saw your episode
on flageolet and falsetto and I loved it.
Can you make another video on flageolet?"
Great idea, Frederick!
Let's do it.
After all, flageolet is just like 6 1/2 Avenue.
Not many people know about it
even though it's at the center of everything.
In fact, flageolet still remains the least known about,
least talked about, and least appreciated vocal register.
And yet I'm telling ya, after witnessing
thousands of singers who have had their lives changed by it,
I promise you it's a road worth traveling.
So first let's ask, what is flageolet?
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We get the term flageolet from the word
for a tiny French flute.
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So you could also call flageolet "flute voice".
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Now don't get this confused with whistle voice.
That's different.
Flageolet is the highest vocal register
in your standard vocal range.
Below your standard range is vocal fry,
[demonstrates vocal fry]
above your standard range is whistle voice.
[demonstrated whistle voice]
But at the top of your true vocal range there's
♪ Oo ♪
flageolet.
If you're a female you can think of this as
the head voice above your head voice
and if you're a male you can think of it as
the falsetto above your falsetto.
Or if you're a vocal scholar you might think of this as
total cricothyroid domination.
Let's take a listen.
If I move my falsetto, or my M2 production,
up higher and higher it sounds like this...
♪ Woo ♪
Now at a certain point, I've got a choice.
Do I keep extending this register upwards
or do I allow it to switch into something else?
If I keep dragging it upwards it's gonna take on
more and more power and resonance.
♪ Woo ♪
However, if I let it transition...
♪ Woo ♪
I discover an entirely new register of my voice.
♪ Woo hoo! ♪
Now why would I want to toot this particular flute?
Well because there are just so many benefits to flageolet.
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Flageolet is an absolute game changer for the voice.
It's one of the best tools we've got
and one of the best things you can practice.
Let me say it to you this way...
There is no better way to increase your vocal range
than flageolet.
Let me say that again, really let that sink in.
There is no better way to increase your vocal range
than flageolet.
Remember, you only have one pair of vocal folds.
And those little folds do everything.
So by working on flageolet everybody is a winner!
Chest voice, mix, head voice,
every register will be blessed
and will enlarge their territory.
Remember that flageolet is
maximum vocal fold stretching.
It's also pretty much the least amount of contact
your vocal folds can make.
What does that equal?
It equals the highest possible notes
with the least amount of force.
That's right, the highest possible notes
with the least amount of force.
I'm sure you can see why that skill would be valuable.
But if flageolet is as overlooked as 6 1/2 Avenue
How do we find it?
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Here's five tips for finding your flageolet.
First, use a tiny embouchure.
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Singing on a very tiny OO vowel
♪ OO ♪
or a very bright EE vowel,
♪ EE ♪
are the easiest ways to find your flageolet.
I actually recommend a W sound like this...
♪ Woo ♪
Anything that keeps the sound inside the head
and lowers that first formant into the basement
is a winner.
Number two, keep it quiet.
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Most people struggling to find their flageolet
struggle because it's too loud.
Even if you think you're going quiet enough,
you're not.
It's even quieter than that.
Dare to go quieter than you can imagine
and you'll discover your flageolet.
Number three, don't fear the top!
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Challenge yourself to the very top of your range.
I'm talking about the notes just beyond the notes
where you say...
"No way, come on! No!
I could never reach it!"
This is exactly where
the seeds of flageolet begin to bloom.
So don't say "let me give up", "let me come back down".
No.
Stay there, explore.
Over time you'll be shocked at the new notes that develop.
Number four, extrinsic tension.
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Like usual the big guys like to bully the little guys.
But you can't let them.
At the extreme top of your voice you'll notice
your neck, your jaw, and your upper body
wanting to seize up.
If this happens, don't panic.
Move through it, stretch it out,
or hold it down with your hands.
Do anything you can to avoid flageolet being squeezed.
Number five, cherish the squeak!
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This is probably the most important one.
The nature of flageolet is squeaky,
it's not meant to sound full and glorious.
It's supposed to sound squeaky.
Letting yourself cherish the squeak
is absolutely critical.
In other words, nothing like this...
♪ Woo! ♪
It's this...
♪ Woo ♪
In life, when we value the little things
that's when we can be trusted with the big things.
In a moment I'll give you this week's vocal benediction.
But first, here are some more little things
for your vocal journey.
We are pleased to announce the upcoming release
of Justin Stoney's new book Sing Like Never Before.
For more information visit, SingLikeNeverBefore.com.
For voice lessons or Skype lessons with the NYVC staff
visit us at NewYorkVocalCoaching.com.
If you'd like a vocal course that you can do at home check out the
Voice Lessons To The World Vocal Course.
This twelve part program takes you on a singing journey
from beginner to master level vocal exercises.
You can find it at VoiceLessonsToTheWorld.com.
Or, if you'd like free vocal tips sent to you each day
sign up at DailyVocalTips.com.
And now, here's Justin with this week's vocal benediction.
Many times it's the small things in life
that are the chosen things.
The most unexpected paths can lead us to our calling.
The humblest person can change our lives.
And the squeakiest sounds can create the joyfullest noises.
So keep your heart open.
The breakthrough you've been hoping for
might already be right under your nose.
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