-Raspiness from girls-cords not closing completely because folds grow at different rates-do they have vibrato yet? -some girls vocal cords fully change until college-if you don’t see adams apple, boys voice has not changed yet-vocal onset is the key-important to explain to children why you are asking them to do things

Dr. Anthony Baressi’s method to determine where child is in voice change1. ask the child to count backwards from 30 aloud2. 2. Listen for prevalent pitch for the speaking voice and find it on the

keyboard (usually when they get to 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)3. This is the fundamental frequency4. This is usually 3 to 4 semitones above his lowest comfortable singing range5. There will be raspy sounds where the voice mixes6. Don’t stop them from singing during voice change

Priorities:HeathStress free singing, rep laterEduacation and understanding of physical changesCharts, movies, articlesStress free exercise and singing

What is difficult?-large intervals, singing from chest to head-they don’t want to relax there jaw enough to let it flip, they hear the cracks and worry, so you have to reassure them-some vowels are tough. -loud singing-very soft singing because their cords aren’t meeting. Encourage softer sounds than loud.

Teaching Techniques-before warm ups, always do breathing exercises (prepare vowels on breath)-initially warm up softly-encourage not to lift chin-don’t use physical touch except for putting the weight of your hands on their shoulders-used voiced consonants (z, m, v) to encourage good onset-keep exercises within a third for changing voices-lip trills and buzzing-good to hear their full range capabilities-release by taking in a breath-sopranos and tenors should use descending patternsbasses and altos sing in ascending patterns

Little kids go through similar vocal experiences as older adults.

When they start-let them feel larynx with back of hand

Resonance-if you start playing with kids resonance too soon they will push to get there-young boys will try to make it sound deep so encourage them to put it where they speak

-voice changes are easier for tenor because there is not as big of a difference

-encourage basses to sing brighter sounds so they don’t hold the sound in a darker place—sopranos too!

-humming helps sopranos keep sound more forward“knoll” helps with oo vowel

If you need more space, bring toung slightly forward to create more space in the back. Great for pop music!

*Breathe in through your nose and ears at the same time-good for raising palate -Building habits!

Thomas Quasthoff-look him up-he also has art song seminar on youtube