The tongue plays a crucial role in achieving balance in pitch, tone, lyric delivery, and in preventing the blockage of the throat while singing. It’s imperative for singers across all genres to understand how to relax and control their tongue, as it directly impacts their vocal performance.
The Role of the Tongue in Singing
The tongue should ideally be relaxed within the mouth, with its tip resting behind the lower front teeth and staying clear of obstructing the projected tone. This relaxed position allows singers to experience greater freedom and comfort while singing. Sounds easy, right? Not quite! Achieving this level of relaxation and control requires training for most individuals, and it can be frustrating and take time .
Tongue Relaxation and Control
This aspect of vocal training is relevant not only to musical theatre, opera, rock, and pop vocalists but to any genre within the Western Hemisphere. To promote tongue relaxation and flexibility, incorporating tongue stretches and massages into vocal warm-ups can be beneficial. When massaging, it’s important to be gentle, especially around the area beneath the chin from the chin to the hyoid bone (mandible), as aggressive prodding can cause muscle recoil .
Understanding the Tongue’s Anatomy
The tongue, though often underestimated in size, is actually quite large, extending beyond what is visible within the mouth. It consists of four distinct regions: the tip, blade, dorsum, and root. Surrounding the tongue are several muscles that extend upwards toward the ears and down the neck, occupying considerable anatomical space. By understanding and practicing techniques to relax and control the tongue, singers can enhance their vocal performance and overall comfort .
For a deeper understanding of the tongue and its role in singing, check out the book The Vocal Athlete by Wendy D. LeBorgne and Marci Rosenberg.
For personalized guidance on vocal techniques and to improve your singing, book a lesson with Wendy. With expert coaching, you can master the control and relaxation of your tongue and elevate your vocal performance.
Additional Sources:
- The Vocal Athlete by Wendy D. LeBorgne and Marci Rosenberg
- National Center for Voice and Speech
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on vocal health
These insights highlight the importance of the tongue in singing and provide practical tips for mastering this often-overlooked aspect of vocal training.