Exploring The Benefits Of Speech Level Singing Philosophy

By Brett Manners


Speech level singing or SLS is a technique that is designed to minimize strain on the vocal cords. This can make it easier to sing. It can also help to produce more natural tones and a better voice in some people. Here is a look at this process and how it works.

One of the most important things that a singer can do is project the voice. This can be done in several ways. However, many voice methods can be detrimental to the voice box or larynx as they can cause strain. SLS is a method that allows the larynx to operate as it normally does during speech. In this way, the singer is not working hard to sing. In fact, it seems to come naturally.

SLS is much more than relaxing as you sing, as it simplifies the process. You will sing with more relaxation but you first need to understand certain exercises and what they do for you. You also must practice them on a regular basis. When you perform the right exercises it teaches you to isolate you inner larynx muscles away from your outer larynx muscles.

The human voice is an instrument for music in the same manner as any stringed instrument like the piano or guitar. When a musician plays the guitar, the fingers are placed on certain frets to change the length of the string. This produces various pitches, and your voice works in a similar fashion.

When your lungs produce air they vibrate the vocal cords as this air passes over them. Your larynx works to tighten or relax the vocal cords and this affects their length. However, they way that your voice box affects the vocal cords can be forced or natural. Speech level singing teaches the larynx to stay in its natural position, as when you are normally speaking.

For proper SLS it is important to know and understand bridges in the human voice. Your larynx outer muscles can shorten or lengthen the vocal cords. However, this can also be done with the inner muscles, and there is no strain this way. Yet, there comes a time when you need to move from one set of notes to another, and this is known as a bridge. SLS teaches you to master bridges without any strain.

Bridges in your voice are areas where you go to another range of pitch. The first change or bridge is where you are most likely to tighten your outer larynx muscles for higher notes. Once you become aware of this bridge you can keep the outer larynx muscles relaxed and make a smooth transition to the higher notes. When this occurs, you are not straining to reach those high notes, and your voice does not crack or go off key.

Once you understand the basics of how SLS works you will see that it can make a difference in the way that you sing. When you stop working at singing you can relax and develop your own unique voice. You can find many good online programs that demonstrate and take you through the process of speech level singing.




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