In working with a singer who has been struggling with a newly developed fear of high notes, I have turned back to a favorite exercise of mine that was inspired by the book “A Soprano on her Head” by Eloise Ristad that I read many years ago.
- Have the singer stand with their feet shoulder width apart, knees relaxed, one foot slightly ahead of the other.
- Instruct the student that before they produce a sound they must begin to bend forward at the waist – being in the final “L” (pike) position on the last note. Remind the student that the head should remain relaxed by having their gaze follow the movement, they should be facing the floor at the finish of the exercise.
- Play the exercise 5 4 3 2 1 – sustaining the last note in the desired working range.
- Repeat in the trouble spots being sure to work a few pitches above and below the trouble spot.
- Once success is attained, work through the troubled passage using this bending technique for every other exercise, then every third, and so on.
I find this exercise to help because it takes the singers mind off of producing the sound, and places the focus on manipulating their body, often freeing up the tension they are creating that are impeding their sound. So often we singers get in the way of our instruments which never get to rest in a case until needed, but must be used daily, and still retain the bandwidth to produce beautiful sound.
you must be worked in home. Be nice meting.