Singing is like playing a tune, the singer being
both the musician and the instrument at the same time. So, just as a
musician must know how to tune his instrument's strings, so you as a singer, must know how to better control your vocal cords.
This
involves the maintenance of your vocal instrument, keeping it clean and
properly energized, as well as keeping calm and knowing how to use your
muscles to maximize the effects of your voice.
Your body is an
amazingly sophisticated system, and your vocal system is definitely one
of its most amazing parts, here are some amazing facts about your vocal
cords:
- Men's vocal folds vibrate from 100 to 150 times per second, and women's about twice that rate;
- Vocal cords vibration can only be seen in a slow-motion shot.
- Vocal cords stretch at high tones, and grow sorter at low pitches.
Most importantly:
You
do not actually control your vocal cords and voice-box. They are
operated by involuntary muscles, and their operation is commanded by
autonomous nervous system. Nonetheless, you can improve your vocal
performance, by relaxing your body, in order to allow your vocal cords
to maximize their effect when "you" stretch them. You can also keep your
resonance cavities clear, and exercising vocal techniques to improve
and diversify your vocal qualities.
Here is a toolkit of exercises you can do to get better control
