I've been having some great discussions with the composers and singers in my studio about vowels and vowel modification, so it seemed like a good time to share my handy "Vowels in English" chart again!
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A property of singing is that high notes require a taller mouth than low ones. As singers ascend in range, we drop our jaws and lift the yawn space (soft palate) behind our upper molars to create more vertical space.
That's where open, medium, and closed vowels come into play.
That's where open, medium, and closed vowels come into play.
Speak the words in the vowel chart slowly and notice how the closed vowels involve closure of the mouth space either through lip rounding (boot, book) or through activation of the tongue into a little arch (see, sit).
For the medium vowels, the lips are a little less rounded (potato) and the tongue is less arched (potato, met) or fairly neutral (about).
And for the open vowels, lip rounding is even less (or), and the tongue is pretty much at rest in the bottom of the jaw (alligator, father, other).
See why they’re called open vowels? There’s literally less going on in the mouth and around the lips!
Remember how I said singers open our mouths taller to make beautiful high notes? Guess which vowels are best for those.
Yep. The open ones.
Remember how I said singers open our mouths taller to make beautiful high notes? Guess which vowels are best for those.
Yep. The open ones.
When composers keep open, medium, and closed vowels in mind as they set text in vocal music, they can align dramatic high notes with words and syllables featuring open vowels.
This sets up the singer for success in your music. Not only will you get a more resonant, beautiful sound, but your text will be better understood by the audience! Win-Win-Win!
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