Mask singing is a sophisticated vocal technique. Many singers appear to be bewildered by it. So, how to sing in the mask perfectly?
Masked singing’s prime goal is to have the music resonate from multiple regions of the body. This skill requires the vocalists to deal with humming and understand how to shift between various voices effectively.
We will share some essential techniques and useful tips that help you pull it off.
For detailed instructions, let’s follow our post!
How Do You Sing In The Mask?
Forward vocal positioning is the foundation of mask singing. It means that you position your vowels and sound typically over your lips.
If you don’t know how to do it properly, place your hand in front of your lips and sing. Then, adjust your hand’s angle gradually. You’ll reach a sweet spot when your sounds start to resonate in harmony.
Here are some techniques you need to practice if you want to sing in a mask.
#1. Throat singing
Many vocalists who wish to practice mask singing aren’t familiar with open throats. While some can sing into the mask without employing this skill, they are exceptions.
Open throat singing is not magical or complex. The problem is that many vocalists can’t control their throat and their voice correctly.
Throat opening will help you with the forward positioning. Most significantly, it will allow your voice to be resonated through your facial expressions.
It is not only necessary to understand throat singing, but it is also essential to be able to control it effectively.
Many inexperienced vocalists place much too much stress on their throats. If your throat aches, you’re probably doing something incorrectly.
When you first try wide throat singing, you should expect some discomfort. If it does hurt, though, you are most likely not expanding your throat broad enough.
As a vocalist, you’ve probably heard how important it is to control your larynx. Now, it’s also time to learn to handle your pharynx as well. This skill will help you to produce the most outstanding vocal resonance possible.
This video shows you how to master open throat singing. It focuses on helping you connect the concept of vowel sound and open throat.
#2. Volume
Mask singing necessitates loud voices. Singing powerfully allows your voice to echo much better. You can’t resonate with the sound if you don’t sing loudly enough.
You should undoubtedly follow your vocal coach’s instructions if he continually asks you to sing louder. It will enable you to resonate much more effectively.
For many vocalists, on the other hand, wearing a mask is not a choice. They have to do it. They’re either sharing a room or don’t have a nice place to sing.
Some singers use dampener masks, which you wear on your face, to avoid disturbing others.
#3. Diaphragmatic breathing
If you want to master mask singing, you must first learn to breathe deeply from your diaphragm.
Mask singing is not suitable for inexperienced vocalists. Most of them have no idea how to breathe from the diaphragm. They just lack the necessary diaphragm muscle to conduct their performance.
Air pressure and breathing management are what enable you to sing more effectively. As a result, a solid diaphragmatic breathing technique and a robust diaphragm are essential.
Breathing has many different forms. The most basic type is diaphragmatic breathing. Follow the steps below to practice this skill:
- Place a pillow under your head and cushions under your legs. Then, lie down on the level ground. Pillows will assist in maintaining a comfortable posture for your body.
- Place your hand on your upper chest’s center.
- Put the other hand directly behind your rib cage but above your diaphragm on the stomach.
- Inhale gently through your nose, pulling the air down into your stomach. While your chest stays still, your stomach should press upward against your hand.
- Exhale through your pursed lips, tightening the abdominal muscles and allowing your belly to fall downward. Your chest should stay still once again.
You should repeat these steps for five to ten minutes and do it three or four times a day.
When you have gotten used to this technique, you can begin to practice it, whether sitting or standing.
It’s crucial to keep your neck, shoulders, and head relaxed when practicing breathing exercises in these postures.
#4. Vocal placement
Mask singing might be challenging, and you’ll have difficulty mastering it. You may play around with the positioning of your vocals.
It is best to master vocal positioning, as the sound you make will be special owing to a combination of techniques and physiology of your head and throat.
You’ll discover where your greatest resonators are while exploring these techniques.
- Palm scoop
Make a scoop with your hands and ensure that they’re really close together.
Put your palm on the lower jaw in such a way that it does not restrict jaw movements when you sing. The air ought to be able to escape via the other side of the palm.
Now, start to sing while slightly adjusting the angle of your hand. Your voice will resonate from your forehead and nose.
- Open palm
Put your palm a few inches in front of your lips, but not so close that your palm touches your face. Start to sing while gradually rotating or changing the palm’s angle.
- Cheeks
You will need to use both hands for this practice. Place both index fingers on your cheeks and gently rub them inward. While singing, either add more pressure to your cheeks or ease stress with your index finger.
- Palms closed
Place both palms over your mouth as if you were about to scream at someone.
Try opening or gently closing the gap where the music emerges once you sing.
You will notice that the sound you make will bounce directly from your palms. Your voice will sound much stronger as a result.
#5. Chest and head voice
Most singers don’t have enough strength in their chest voices and head voices to sing with a mask.
Many competent vocalists will tell you that mask singing requires you to use your blended voice. This idea is partially correct.
The fact is that you won’t have a well-mixed vocal if you don’t practice enough on chest and head voice.
You’ll be transitioning from the chest to head voice a lot when masked singing.
Some vocalists go even higher, employing their whistle or falsetto registers. They are experienced performers who have been using masks for a long time. As a result, it comes to them naturally.
If you’re a beginner vocalist, work on your head and chest voice before attempting mask singing with your whistle or falsetto pitch.
Most vocal trainers will overcomplicate what type of mask voice you should use. However, it’s all about keeping things simple.
#6. Humming
Many vocalists believe that humming is unimportant. On the other hand, Humming exercises will help you listen to how you sound from the cheeks to nose, forehead, and mouth.
You’ll need to practice humming if you want to learn how to sing with masks.
Many singers deem most starter exercises to be tasks for beginners. They used to practice with them when they first sang.
However, please keep in mind that these exercises will come in handy later in your profession as a vocalist.
#7. Sharp vowels
Some vocalists found that by strengthening their vowels, they can effectively mask singing.
A vocalist will have no difficulty adjusting to mask singing if they can sharpen their vowels and make them sharper and brighter.
Extra Tips For Singing In The Mask
Aside from the essential techniques discussed above, you can apply these extra tips to your training sessions.
#1. Vocal health
Because mask singing is quite difficult, your vocal health must be in tip-top condition.
You should treat your vocal health carefully. Consume foods and beverages that will help you sing better.
Having excellent vocal health entails promoting healthier vocal cords and having healthy support from the throat to the lungs and diaphragm.
It’s best to work out. Physical activity will improve your stamina and enable you to train for longer durations.
#2. Relax your throat
Mask singing necessitates using an open throat. As a result, relaxing your throat is critical.
Otherwise, increasing air pressure will suffocate your throat. And having a sore throat is the very last thing a vocalist wants.
Moreover, if you can’t relax your throat, you won’t be able to perform appropriately with an open throat.
#3. Practice
It will take time to master masked singing. To completely comprehend the principle and use it appropriately, you’ll need to devote at least a few months.
Some vocalists appear to be born with this talent. They had little trouble learning to master it in only a few weeks. Don’t worry if you’re not one of them. With consistent practice, you’ll pull it off too.
Final Words
Singing into masks is a difficult task for any vocalist. You’ll need to be familiar with a variety of techniques and be able to integrate them in a harmonious manner, which sounds much easier than it really is.
You should first master the fundamentals before diving into this work. Even if you don’t know how to perform with masks, these fundamental methods will help you improve as a singer.
Hopefully, the information above is exactly what you are looking for. If you need any further information, please leave a comment. We will reply soon.
Thank you for reading!
