17 Playing with Texture Part 2
This lesson will build on Part 1, this time learning to achieve gritty, edgy textured sounds… and learning how to use them in our songs! Charmaine will take you through a set of edgy texture scale exercises and song application exercises that will help you discover and master the art of vocal texture. This lesson also marks the the next “Master Your Voice” Checkpoint — learn more or submit Checkpoint #4 here.
See the lesson resources below to:
- download the lesson notes (in Downloads tab)
- download the vocal workout for offline use (in Downloads tab)
I really liked these texture lessons they really have the potential to add a new depth and dimension to one’s voice. I especially liked the edgy sound as my voice tends to do this naturally, I just have to be sure I don’t over use it. This tone MIXED with the breathy tone is really something I want to work on, it can be so beautiful!
Yes! So nice when we’re able to use both breathy and edgy in our songs!
Thank you for the lesson! This edgy tone is something I definitely want to try out. A lightbulb moment for me was when you mentioned that texture doesn’t have to be “planned” but should come naturally and sincerely. We shouldn’t do it just for the sake it having it sound nice, but these textures should reflect what’s in our hearts. (:
Absolutely! So important!
Wow! Breathy is so much easier for me than edgy. This is definitely challenging. I really like the “tell a secret” exercise. It’s amazing how differently I sound with the exercise than without.
For sure! These techniques are definitely challenging, but such a good tool to have in your toolbox!
Lightbulb moment- Vocal Fry is a healthy way to add texture to your voice. I’ve been doing the exercises but just now realized how I can use them 🙂
Yay! That’s great!
Thank you for this lesson, and for pointing out that the imperfections and vulnerability in our voice can be beautiful. Learning how to use texture in singing has helped me to gain more freedom from comparing myself to others, because I am free to use texture to make my voice uniquely mine in expression. The edge coordination comes more easily to me than the breathy coordination, and I enjoy using it!
Awesome — glad to hear that you’re enjoying working on this technique!
How do I do the growls that the lead singer of #hillsong does for so will i
Great question! However, I do not teach this kind of technique, in private lessons or courses. Though some singers have discovered how to do it in a healthy way, for most singers this kind of “growl” sound results in severely damaged vocal cords. I would advise caution in trying out these kinds of techniques!
I am finding this lesson a bit hard. Very pitchy on the edge exercises. Any suggestions?
Mostly, just be patient with your voice! 🙂 Make sure to review the other lessons (as referred to in the video/notes) that have the teaching on the edge exercises (mum to vocal fry, staccato hoot, staccato/legato scales) for more tips on those. If you are still having trouble after a couple weeks of trying out the exercises, I would suggest you submit a Checkpoint to get feedback on the exercises!
I’m finding the edgy tone a little easier than the breathy tone. In hindsight perhaps it seems pretty obvious…but I was surprised how light the sound needs to be to get the edgy tone.
Definitely, it is a very light coordination! Many people find one or the other (breathy or edgy) comes more naturally to them, so that’s very normal!
I really like the song application tip about adding texture to consonants. It works so well, consonants are much harder than the vowels to be sang. The tip of focusing on adding texture to the vowels and pass quick the consonant, is very helpful for me.
Thank you😊
Awesome, glad the tip was helpful for you! 🙂
I need to work on purposefully letting my glottals in the mum parts be what I want to sing with the lyrics instead of just doing whatever I want;) . Also, I’m not super sure that i’m doing the mum to vocal fry exercise right. It’s hard to stay on pitch- is that normal?
Especially in the super low scales, don’t even worry about being on pitch, just let it go down into vocal fry — you can review that specific exercise in Lesson 7 (low range)!