Find a free-er sound with this exercise for tongue release, especially on ascending intervals. If you enjoyed the first Tongue Release video, here’s a new addition to your repertoire of tongue exercises.
We’ll use the gross and magical power of slurping your tongue to find the sides of the tongue and then lift them up and out of danger so you can get on with your singing. Go for it!
How to do the Tongue Slurp Exercise
Start by putting the tip of the tongue up against the back of the top teeth, like you’re saying “l”.
Now, inhale, slurping the air under the tongue. If you’ve seen the Silence of the Lambs, this is the sound Hannibal Lecter makes when he’s thinking about fava beans (shudder).
I know it’s gross! But try to focus on what you feel – where does your tongue feel cold?
Look for a feeling of cold on the undersides of the tongue, way at the back. And now that you’ve found those sides of the tongue, I want you to try to lift them up and apart nice and wide, like you’re going to drape them over your lower back molars.
That’s the basic motion of the Tongue Slurp. Now let’s do it while singing!
Start with the tongue in a neutral position (not slurped or lifted, just sitting there), with the tip of the tongue touching the back of the front bottom teeth (don’t overthink it. It’s probably there right now).
Ok, the pitches are simple: sing “ee” (or if you like IPA, [i]) and then slide up a fifth (Do to Sol) while moving the vowel to “eh”/[E]. Then slide back down. You’ll be sliding up and back down, “ee-eh-ee”.
Now, add the tongue motion: as you move up the fifth toward eh/[E], lift those sides of the tongue up and apart so they are spread wide on the top note. Release as you descend in pitch.
The result will be a sound that is forward and not pinched, and possibly a less wobbly one if you’re anything like me. Enjoy!
If you like clear, fun voice education like this, I hope you’ll join me June 26th for a workshop where we’ll create a voice maintenance routine from A-Z:
Use It, Don’t Lose It: Voice Maintenance and Growth at Home
June 26th, 1:30 Eastern
Register at: www.tinyurl.com/useitworkshop
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