How can you teach a student proper resonance and tone quality?

1 What is resonance?

Resonance is the amplification and enrichment of sound waves that occur when they vibrate in a space. For singers, the main resonators are the throat, the mouth, the nose, and the sinuses. The shape and size of these spaces affect how the sound waves are reflected and modified, creating different timbres and overtones. Resonance can also be influenced by factors such as posture, breath support, tongue position, jaw tension, and facial expression.

2 What is tone quality?

Tone quality, or timbre, is the characteristic sound of a voice or an instrument that distinguishes it from others. It is determined by the frequency spectrum and the amplitude envelope of the sound waves, which are influenced by the source (the vocal cords), the filter (the vocal tract), and the environment (the room acoustics). Tone quality can be described by terms such as bright, dark, warm, cold, clear, breathy, nasal, or metallic.

3 Why are resonance and tone quality important?

Resonance and tone quality are important for singers because they affect how their voice communicates emotion, expression, and style. A good resonance and tone quality can enhance the clarity, projection, and beauty of the voice, as well as reduce vocal fatigue and strain. A poor resonance and tone quality can make the voice sound dull, weak, or harsh, and cause vocal damage or discomfort. Resonance and tone quality can also vary depending on the genre, context, and intention of the singer, so they need to be adaptable and versatile.

4 How can you assess resonance and tone quality?

To assess resonance and tone quality, you need to use your ears, your eyes, and your touch. You can listen to your students' voice and compare it to recordings or models of singers with similar voices and styles. You can also ask your students to rate their own voice on a scale of 1 to 10 for different aspects of resonance and tone quality, such as volume, brightness, warmth, clarity, or smoothness. You can observe your students' posture, facial expression, tongue position, jaw tension, and breath support, and look for signs of tension, imbalance, or inefficiency. You can also feel your students' throat, chest, and face for vibrations, and ask them to feel their own resonators.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?