Vocal quality
- Sing with a clear tone throughout their range, developing an even tone across different registers
- Develop vocal qualities and awareness of their effect on tone
Show learners how to sing with a free vocal tone throughout their range. As a vocal experiment, ask them, regardless of voice type, to explore high and low pitch, e.g. through experimenting with portamenti.
If learners sing in choirs, ensure that those who have good aural and music-reading skills are not pigeonholed into singing lower parts when their natural voice is higher.
Changing voices need sensitive handling, particularly in the case of boys, who should be encouraged to continue singing, gradually moving down the vocal range.
In order to develop an awareness of vocal qualities and their effect on tone quality, experiment with varying moods or colours within a song or exercise. Discuss the changes in tone quality and ask learners to decide which would be most appropriate for the character of the music.
Group lessons can provide an opportunity for learners to listen to and comment on each other’s tone quality.
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