Vocal coach Kerrie Obert joins Alexa to discuss the technique of twang in singing—what it is, how to find it, and how to apply it in a healthy way across your range. We bust myths about twang and larynx position, examine impactful but overlooked research, and learn exercises to develop this bright, forward resonance while avoiding excess tension. For all singers looking to understand the mechanics behind great country, rock, and belt singing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Teaching Back for Enhanced Learning: Teaching back in singing lessons reinforces skills, promotes compliance, and fosters lasting habits, enhancing knowledge retention and practical application.
- Clarity in Teaching Directives: Clear teaching directives are pivotal in vocal education, especially when exploring intricate concepts like “twang.” Transparent communication deepens understanding and enriches the learning experience.
- Nuanced Roles of Velum and VLM: Understanding the nuanced functions of the velum and Vertical Laryngeal Movement (VLM) shapes vocal sounds. This insight guides students in refining techniques and comprehending the impact of pharyngeal narrowing on larynx positioning.
- Effective Singing Techniques: Effective singing involves maintaining vocal thickness during belting and strategic breath control. Integration of these elements achieves a harmonious balance, enhancing overall vocal quality and impact.
BEST MOMENTS
‘I would say it’s very high, like 70 or 80 percent of the people who twang don’t have aryepiglottic narrowing.’
‘It actually gives you credibility, to be able to acknowledge that that you think differently about something’
‘I want to look at what point those pharyngeal constrictors narrow in the range. And to see how that relates to our perception of passaggio’
EPISODE RESOURCES
Guest Website:
Social Media:
- Instagram: @kerrieobert
Relevant Links & Mentions:
- Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.59 Top Tongue Tips for Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert
- The work of William Vennard
- Jo Estill: estillvoice.com
- Amanda Flynn: amandaflynnvoice.com
- Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn
ABOUT THE GUEST
Kerrie Obert is a speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist from Columbus Ohio. Ms. Obert holds degrees in both musical theatre performance and speech language pathology. She spent nearly 20 years working at The Ohio State University JamesCare Voice & Swallowing Disorders Clinic where she performed thousands of endoscopies as part of a diagnostic team and provided therapy to patients with a wide variety of laryngeal disorders. Ms. Obert was instrumental in setting up the Singing Health Specialization at OSU and served as the Director of Medical Arts for that program. Although she stepped away from her clinical duties at OSU, she remains on the faculty for research purposes. Ms. Obert has written four books on voice and has conducted clinical research using acoustics, MRI and EGG. She has presented on several continents and is passionate about bridging science and art. Ms. Obert is the executive principal of Getvocal-now.com, an online continuing education platform for singers, speech language pathologists and voice teachers. Her current research interests are in pharyngeal and tongue positions as they relate to boosting high frequency energy.
Kerrie Obert is also a guest lecture on the BAST Training Level 5 Singing Teacher Qualification.
