Yesterday I had my first proper singing lesson and my teacher said that i was doing quite well but my biggest problem is that i don't open my mouth enough when i sing. i never noticed this before but i've been singing looking in a mirror since and it does look a bit strange. has anyone got any advice on how i can open my mouth more?

~*~Ruth~*~

Work on your basic vowels, and think about the shape your mouth needs to take to form them. So for a long EE sound, for instance, you need to open your mouth in a big smiley stretch. To make the sound Ah you need to drop your jaw right down, for Oh, you need an open circle etc etc.

The big thing really with this problem is awareness. Notice the shape your mouth forms when you sing, and think about whether it's really the best shape for the sound you're trying to make.

hth

Jane

A note of caution here - you don't want to over-stretch your mouth. If it isn't relaxed, your face and neck won't be relaxed and you won't sing well.

Try not to go beyond what one singer I know calls an "Eastenders" jaw. That is, the amount your jaw drops open when you're vegging out in front of your favourite soap on telly.

Cheers

Katyjay

Katyjay will understand why I chuckled at this post...

Basically, yesterday she had me singing with my fingers holding my mouth almost closed, to try and break me of the habit (gained through choral singing) of opening my mouth too wide. I felt a bit like a ventriloquist, but it did remind me when I tried to exaggerate my mouth shape too much. or probably .

And I chuckled even more when I clicked enter and saw the post above...

This is an extremely common problem among new students. Yes, you do need to have your mouth open to sing, but there is such a thing as opening it too much. Try to imagine there is a piece of string attached to your chin which is slowly pulled down. This should encourage you to open your mouth more but not increase tension. Your lips shouldn't be tight around your teeth.

David

Thanks everyone, that's loads of help. I'll let you know how everything goes at my next lesson *is excited*

~*~Ruth~*~

I know at least 2 people who have been *taught* to open their mouths unnaturally wide and to contort their lips

Just spotted your thread. I too found it difficult to open my mouth very far at first, but gradually over time it has become easier. Looking at yourself in the mirror at the same time helps too. My mouth felt much much more wide and open than it actually was.

Let us know how you get on.



Amber
x

Most of my beginner students have problems opening their mouths.

But along with all things getting a student to open their mouths more has to be done intune with their body.

The other thing I notice is just how tense the back of people jaws are.

I like pupils to see if they can just let their jaw drop (without making a sound) to find out where their comfortable open mouth position is. This is the shape they nee for "ah". At the same time I try to work on a yawning feeling inside, this often get the jaw to open more completely naturally.

Try yawning or sighing in front of a mirror. Get used to how it feels, then use that feeling when you sing.

BTW I have a real problem with people trying to "smile" when they sing, they often gtin like cheshire cats which tighens up everything and produces an awful tone. Obviously I want people to look happy, that imporves the tone, but asking for a happy face is often much more effective.