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How to Sing Counter Tenor

Singing counter tenor requires immense breath support and endurance. To build up to the strength to sing counter tenor voice, you must practice daily and consistently. As with all singers, you must find a balance between too little and too much practicing. The counter tenor voice achieves a characteristic high register through the use of a technique called falsetto. With falsetto, the vocal folds are intentionally constricted so that only the edges of the folds vibrate, creating a faster vibration resulting in a higher pitch.

Instructions

    • 1

      Breathe properly by using the diaphragm muscle to pull air into your lungs. Feel your muscles expand in your hips and waist. Place one hand on each side of your waist to feel your diaphragm expanding.

    • 2

      Position yourself flat against a wall with your back straight. Practice creating a hissing sound with your breath. Hissing will help you learn to use a fast, narrow stream of air that greatly increases the quality of your counter tenor voice.

    • 3

      Sing a five-note descending scale starting on the C an octave above middle C. Use F, five pitches below C, as the root of the scale to sing in F-major. The following notes will be used: C, B-flat, A, G and F.

    • 4

      Ascend the five-note scale back to C. Upon reaching C, descend back down to F and stop.

    • 5

      Sing another five-note scale starting on F. Use the key of F-major and descend to B-flat. Upon reaching B-flat, ascend back to F and then return to B-flat. This will stretch your vocal folds safely.

    • 6

      Arpeggiate the chord tones of a B-flat major scale. Begin on the B-flat in the middle of the staff and descend to the B-flat below the staff. Sing the following sequence of notes: B-flat, F, D, B-flat and then reverse the order to arrive on your starting pitch, B-flat.

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