*I had only noticed how long this post turned out after having submitted it. I'll summarise all this into bullet points so it wouldn't seem that overwhelming. Shall either upload a Word document with the notes or just put it as my next post. I'll keep you posted.
Pretty much anywhere you look on the Web, if the site teaches the fundamentals of vocal technique, they would almost certainly start you off with what is called lip rolls, or lip trills as others like to call it. Basically, what you would want to do is use the tips of your four fingers to lift the weight of your cheeks a little, use one hand to support each cheek. You could use your dimples as a guide to where you should place your fingers. It's hard to explain with words, but htis video should help:
Blow a steady stream of air out, causing your lips to vibrate rapidly, making that "motorboat" sound. As the teacher in the video above advises, pay more attention to the sound you're making with your lips, and just blow enough air to make a light, gentle sound. It shouldn't take much air at all.
I'll write something about breathing in my next post, so you could use that to help you with your lip trools.
Don't worry if you're struggling with it. It takes a few tries for some to get it. I've heard people take a couple of weeks just to manage a sustained sound from the rools, so be assured you aren't the only one if you're having trouble with it.
The lip roll exercise is a fantastic way of warming up your voice. It not only helps prepare your vocal cords for singing, but also exercises your diaphragm a little, while helping you learn to manage your air better, just in case your body forgets it after a night's sleep.:)
Do this exercise on a five-tone scale for starters. I'll upload a practice track soon for anyone wanting to give this a try.
Feel out of breath, feel tired, but you shouldn't feel like your jaw, neck or throat is straining to hit the notes. If you are, don't let yourself go so high up your range for the moment. Lip rolls are meant to only warm up the voice, and should be really comfortable, almost relaxing, for the vocal cords. Don't worry about your volume, especially if you're doing it after having just gotten out of bed. Do it softly, or at a volume that you feel completely comfortable with. If you're doing it softly, but are hardly making a peep from your lips. I think breathing exercises would make it a little easier for you. Will have that up soon as mentioned before.
Doing vocal exercises should really feel more like aerobic exercises than anything else. I'll go more into that later 'cause I'd like to dedicate this post mostly to lip rolls.
Personally, I didn't have as hard a time as others to get my lips "motoring", but it did take me months before realising I could do it with a whole lot less air than I was used to. Took me an epiphany just to get that. After a few minutes of doing this exercise during my first vocal exercise, it kinda felt like I had taken my lungs and abdomen out for a jog and then returning them back to my body. My "core" was tired, but my legs were perfectly fine.
Well, that's my pexerience with lip rolls.
You could search "lip rolls" on YouTube to find out more. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them for you. Feel free to send me a link to your attempt at lip rolls, and I'll do my best to give you helpful feedback on it, if you'd like.
Send your recordings to:
help.sfb@gmail.com
if you don't feel up to sharing your recording to the rest of the world.:)
Good luck with it, and remember to have fun doing it!
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