Thank you so much! I'm a new adult singer (32 years old), and I have a vocal coach, vocal instructor, and university professor all teaching me. The mix of methods and jargon by background and genre can be dizzying. You are bringing a much-needed objective and anatomical understanding to the often vague instructions I receive. I really appreciate you!
Jose, I'm a gigging Rock, Motown and Oldies singer. Do you know how many teachers denounce the tuck? Me? I swear by it. Thank you for providing credence and justification for using it.
Been singing for 20+ years and always engaged my stomach muscles in and up not down and out but I've never engaged the muscles below my belly button/pubic area. Just done it while doing my scales and I was able to sustain the note longer and with far less tension and it felt like i was using less breath.....brilliant....thanks for this tip
Classical breathing technique explained in detail but simple enough. Also hinting at possible caveats. Wonderfully done and superbly demonstrated by a young opera professional. This is rare. Thank you!
Absolutely brilliant - when you’ve got it, you’ve got it - you have a gift of explaining complex concepts that engages an anatomical & practical understanding of one’s instrument (the body) in demonstrative and relatable terms. Decades of singing, performing, and countless masterclasses pale in comparison to what you have accomplished in less time than a typical voice lesson - every vocal student ESPECIALLY every TENOR would do extremely well to watch your videos. Bravo. 👏 ❤
Oh no, I don't wanna be fu*ked😱! I will always do the belly tuck, I promise!😃 BTW, some teachers say it's obligatory for singers to train their breathing muscles and via playing brass instruments, inflating balloons etc. - they say only this way you can achieve stamina and get your body used for tension needed for singing, especially for high notes. What do you think of this, Jose🤔?
Sure, however for me it’s not so much training the musculature (which I am sure helps) as it is training the coordination of all these concepts through repetition. And being able to automatically make all these movements simultaneously like a well oiled machine. It just takes time because there are alot of concepts and layers to singing with the body and we often learn one concept at a time and then we have to integrate that concept to our technique and rinse and repeat with a new concept. Very much like an athlete practicing one specific skill set repeatedly to build the coordination. Which repetition by the way…strengthens musculature as well. 👍
It’s like pressing a balloon in one end the pressure above increases I guess! This gives more higher vibration frequency to the chords, anyway this was great!!! Thanks for this powerful tip and the final song now it is part of my repertoire.
Would love to hear about ‘compression’ in case you use that term. (Meaning: higher/highest tenor range and/or effects like singing ‘dolce’, expanding the voice for more dramatic rep… And … wonderful messa di voce at the end! All thanks to … the belly tuck! 😂❤️
Thank you for the valuable lessons and tips. Your expertise is evident. I’ve been following your videos for months, and they’ve been incredibly helpful-more so than any others. Please share more!
I'm not a physical specialist, but I'm fairly certain the reason this works is that one is using the lower abdominals to activate the transverse abdominis (core) more, which the brings about a slightly higher level of overall compression in the torso, as long as the singer is trained already in a sense of expansive suspension in the intercostals (to resist the contraction of the diaphragm). It would be more the classic Caruso approach to tuck it already on the breath in, but I think what you are showing practically amounts to something very similar. The transverse abdominis is the most important muscle for support that no one talks about. It's also the reason why we often feel a strong sense of support/stability in the lower back with good singing, as it wraps all the way around the lower torso.
You taught me the lower abdomen support that I needed to learn to powerfully sing the upper register. All my private teachers were not able to teach me this properly the way you explained it so easily. Thank you for making this video.
Wow! You are talking about engaging your pelvic floor! I have heard that engaging these muscles is THE way to sing those long, pianissimo notes right there in your 2nd passaggio for Pace, pace, mio Dio! Thanks for the tip! Susan
I have learnt a lot from your videos. Sometimes , I feel that I cannot keep the natural larynx expansion after breathing or when I change from one vowel to another one. I would like to hear more about it, if possible. Thank you so much José
Hallo! Can you make a video showing us how to train our passage with some good exercises? Which you did when you were starting to build yourself up as a tenor. I believe that they will be useful not only to me, but also to a large part of the community.
thank you so much for such a tip! Can you please make a video like warming up or even better voice workout (high notes), so we can make it our own daily workout, thanks!
I notice as a voice student I am always fokussing much on the deep support..however not the onsets.. I believed I can repair and regulate my voice quality through support..but it seems the onsets and simply sy sul fiatto and in good yawning but queeky position is key..and training it in higher ranges too..I always thought high register from supporting deep
Hey Jose, I sing in a rock band and your videos have been amazing to really understand this stuff because I’ve never taken voice lessons before. I was wondering, is the “tuck” something that happens naturally or do you have to sort of do it manually, or does it happen with time? I feel like I’m not always properly supported but it’s getting better for sure
@@garthgundersonjr3064 although you have to be conscientious of it the body will react and support the sound naturally IF the sound is a correct healthy sound. However, The “tuck” itself is intentional and should happen simultaneously to when we sing. The tuck will at at times push up in the diaphragm which then pushes on the lungs to release pressurized air, so we’re gonna want to initiate singing as we do this so our cords are opening and closing and air is being released through the cords, if not a lot of subglottic pressure will build up underneath the closed cords if we’re not singing and not releasing air…and it won’t feel so good. You’ll feel a lot of pressure in your neck.
I wish you'd mention this is only true when the pelvis is open in the front at the end of the inhale. If you're starting out with more spinal flexion you'll be doing the opposite. I would say this demo shows a rather high diaphragm, not a low one, and with the pelvic floor not stretched. It's not wrong, but neither is tucking the sacrum, and neither is avoiding rib flare like you have here. There's lots of recipes for different sounds 😊
In your estimates, how applicable is the belly fk, erm belly tuck for other genres where sustaining notes is not as long as it is for opera?😅 In fact the whole 3 step process, I feel like it could be applied to other genres with shorter phrasing / phonations. Thank you my tenor brother from another mother 🙏 dropping gems with a creative zesty twist of humor ❤️👌
@@Arden7one haha I would say the support mechanism is the same no matter what style or genre of music you sing. Other concepts are modifiable according to the musical style, but there are some basic functions of phonation that can and should be used and applied throughout any genre.
When you are singing, do you feel like you're "pushing" the upper portion out, or are you "pulling" the bottom portion in, or doing both at the same time?
By now it’s one fluid simultaneous movement so I would it’s both at the same time. But I started out first feeling the pull or tuck. But it’s not sucking in your belly I want to clarify that. It’s more of a “tightening” of the hypogastric area. Like a contraction. 👍
@@Tenor_Simerilla I think that's a super important distinction. I notice if I suck in my hypo-gastric region, it causes the epiglottis to pooch out hard, which I'm sure is not what you want. If you tighten the lower area, you get a firmness in the epi region which seems much more appropriate. Great videos! Keep 'em coming!
I would like to add an interesting story though. When I was but I wee lad, my first voice teacher was short and stocky, looked a lot like Gigli and I swear sounded a lot like him as well. When he inhaled and sang, his whole epi-gastric region , all the way around his upper belly would push out. that's how he would fill up his lungs, by filling that area. He could fill the left epi-gastric region, then the right, etc. He had complete control over that area. It was rather remarkable. He also did the pushing the piano trick. Now that's probably too much pressure there, but it worked for him.
@@HoltonJohnson yes that’s very close to what I feel in This movement. It’s not perhaps as much as you may be describing but there is also very much a lateral support as well. Especial with the intercostal well expanded. Always staying pliable, so you can lean into it when you want more and out of it when you need less. 👍
If you’re asking me personally. No I don’t sing with distortion or rasp. It’s not in the style of my specific musical genre. I know for rock it is more used and I know there is a “safe” way of doing it that doesn’t actually require singing with a “rasp” in the voice as that is incredibly unhealthy and damaging. But its not my expertise, so I don’t teach it in what I do. :) 👍
This is making me so angry honestly. I have a vocal teacher right now who is ALL about loose belly he even makes me do an exercise that is called “splat” which means keep the belly loose. … so now “tucking” the belly is the absolute opposite of this. So AS USUAL you will hear everything and its exact contrary. That’s why the more I’m trying to get “expert” advice the more I’m confused and at a loss. I will just sing the way I feel like it and that’s it.
Been there. I know it’s hard and difficult to not be frustrated. But don’t let it dampen your spirits, find what work for you and resonantes with you that allows you to make the desired sound you want and most importantly in a healthy way. 👍
OMG that final "You're fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu - ckkkk - ttttt" had me rolling!
🤣🤣🤣
Now that's new to me: online classes from a singing teacher who can actually sing (and teach how to). Thank you so much!
That surprising feeling is very similar to like when someone is gonna hit you in the balls.
Really fun tip and it works! Keep them coming!
OMG you went there 😂🤣😂🤣😂 Okay, I'm joining next month, if you'll take soprani 😉
Thank you so much! I'm a new adult singer (32 years old), and I have a vocal coach, vocal instructor, and university professor all teaching me. The mix of methods and jargon by background and genre can be dizzying. You are bringing a much-needed objective and anatomical understanding to the often vague instructions I receive. I really appreciate you!
Jose, I'm a gigging Rock, Motown and Oldies singer. Do you know how many teachers denounce the tuck? Me? I swear by it. Thank you for providing credence and justification for using it.
Been singing for 20+ years and always engaged my stomach muscles in and up not down and out but I've never engaged the muscles below my belly button/pubic area. Just done it while doing my scales and I was able to sustain the note longer and with far less tension and it felt like i was using less breath.....brilliant....thanks for this tip
You are the best! Logical, effective, telling and demonstrating CLEAR! Thank you
well, that was fu*cking brilliant!
So simple and to the point, none of the typical vocal voodoo jargon. Please never stop 🙏🏽
Classical breathing technique explained in detail but simple enough. Also hinting at possible caveats. Wonderfully done and superbly demonstrated by a young opera professional. This is rare. Thank you!
Absolutely brilliant - when you’ve got it, you’ve got it - you have a gift of explaining complex concepts that engages an anatomical & practical understanding of one’s instrument (the body) in demonstrative and relatable terms. Decades of singing, performing, and countless masterclasses pale in comparison to what you have accomplished in less time than a typical voice lesson - every vocal student ESPECIALLY every TENOR would do extremely well to watch your videos. Bravo. 👏 ❤
What a beautiful man!
This smiling in 0:14 is like a sunshine. One can understand Liú´s statement: "Ei perderá suo figlio...io l´ombra d´un sorriso."
Oh no, I don't wanna be fu*ked😱! I will always do the belly tuck, I promise!😃
BTW, some teachers say it's obligatory for singers to train their breathing muscles and via playing brass instruments, inflating balloons etc. - they say only this way you can achieve stamina and get your body used for tension needed for singing, especially for high notes. What do you think of this, Jose🤔?
Sure, however for me it’s not so much training the musculature (which I am sure helps) as it is training the coordination of all these concepts through repetition. And being able to automatically make all these movements simultaneously like a well oiled machine. It just takes time because there are alot of concepts and layers to singing with the body and we often learn one concept at a time and then we have to integrate that concept to our technique and rinse and repeat with a new concept. Very much like an athlete practicing one specific skill set repeatedly to build the coordination. Which repetition by the way…strengthens musculature as well. 👍
@@Tenor_Simerilla Got it, bro!🙂🤝
It’s like pressing a balloon in one end the pressure above increases I guess! This gives more higher vibration frequency to the chords, anyway this was great!!! Thanks for this powerful tip and the final song now it is part of my repertoire.
Would love to hear about ‘compression’ in case you use that term. (Meaning: higher/highest tenor range and/or effects like singing ‘dolce’, expanding the voice for more dramatic rep…
And … wonderful messa di voce at the end! All thanks to … the belly tuck! 😂❤️
Thank you for the valuable lessons and tips. Your expertise is evident. I’ve been following your videos for months, and they’ve been incredibly helpful-more so than any others. Please share more!
Totally agree
This is how I was taught to breath, with maybe a slightly different focus or perspective. This is how you sing the long phrases.
Great videos. I love hearing you just riffing on the life is a singer. Just found your channel and having a great time with it.
I'm not a physical specialist, but I'm fairly certain the reason this works is that one is using the lower abdominals to activate the transverse abdominis (core) more, which the brings about a slightly higher level of overall compression in the torso, as long as the singer is trained already in a sense of expansive suspension in the intercostals (to resist the contraction of the diaphragm). It would be more the classic Caruso approach to tuck it already on the breath in, but I think what you are showing practically amounts to something very similar.
The transverse abdominis is the most important muscle for support that no one talks about. It's also the reason why we often feel a strong sense of support/stability in the lower back with good singing, as it wraps all the way around the lower torso.
Well said 👌
You taught me the lower abdomen support that I needed to learn to powerfully sing the upper register. All my private teachers were not able to teach me this properly the way you explained it so easily. Thank you for making this video.
Wow! You are talking about engaging your pelvic floor! I have heard that engaging these muscles is THE way to sing those long, pianissimo notes right there in your 2nd passaggio for Pace, pace, mio Dio! Thanks for the tip! Susan
Thank you so much. Very helpful tips!
Best video to show what suppport is.
I have learnt a lot from your videos. Sometimes , I feel that I cannot keep the natural larynx expansion after breathing or when I change from one vowel to another one. I would like to hear more about it, if possible. Thank you so much José
Hallo! Can you make a video showing us how to train our passage with some good exercises? Which you did when you were starting to build yourself up as a tenor. I believe that they will be useful not only to me, but also to a large part of the community.
👍
thank you so much for such a tip! Can you please make a video like warming up or even better voice workout (high notes), so we can make it our own daily workout, thanks!
You are super talented! Thank you for sharing your personal experience and thoughts!
Thank you sir.... Help my a lot.... From Greece
I notice as a voice student I am always fokussing much on the deep support..however not the onsets.. I believed I can repair and regulate my voice quality through support..but it seems the onsets and simply sy sul fiatto and in good yawning but queeky position is key..and training it in higher ranges too..I always thought high register from supporting deep
Muchas gracias por compartir!!!
Hey Jose, I sing in a rock band and your videos have been amazing to really understand this stuff because I’ve never taken voice lessons before. I was wondering, is the “tuck” something that happens naturally or do you have to sort of do it manually, or does it happen with time? I feel like I’m not always properly supported but it’s getting better for sure
@@garthgundersonjr3064 although you have to be conscientious of it the body will react and support the sound naturally IF the sound is a correct healthy sound. However, The “tuck” itself is intentional and should happen simultaneously to when we sing. The tuck will at at times push up in the diaphragm which then pushes on the lungs to release pressurized air, so we’re gonna want to initiate singing as we do this so our cords are opening and closing and air is being released through the cords, if not a lot of subglottic pressure will build up underneath the closed cords if we’re not singing and not releasing air…and it won’t feel so good. You’ll feel a lot of pressure in your neck.
YOU'RE WONDERFUL!!!
Wonderful video Jose. Terrific tip!
I wish you'd mention this is only true when the pelvis is open in the front at the end of the inhale. If you're starting out with more spinal flexion you'll be doing the opposite. I would say this demo shows a rather high diaphragm, not a low one, and with the pelvic floor not stretched. It's not wrong, but neither is tucking the sacrum, and neither is avoiding rib flare like you have here. There's lots of recipes for different sounds 😊
The ending was perfect 😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍
Oh shit... Yeeeeah 😎
Can I have the score of very last phrase😅
Brilliant! Thank you!
Great ! Support / appoggio ;)
“Very deep and inspirational.” 😂
Thanks, i feel maybe the same but jus witch the intercostal.
Would you say that breathing into a "haw" would be a good way to set up breath and onset?
In your estimates, how applicable is the belly fk, erm belly tuck for other genres where sustaining notes is not as long as it is for opera?😅 In fact the whole 3 step process, I feel like it could be applied to other genres with shorter phrasing / phonations. Thank you my tenor brother from another mother 🙏 dropping gems with a creative zesty twist of humor ❤️👌
@@Arden7one haha I would say the support mechanism is the same no matter what style or genre of music you sing. Other concepts are modifiable according to the musical style, but there are some basic functions of phonation that can and should be used and applied throughout any genre.
@@Tenor_Simerilla thank you for taking the time Jose! Appreciate the extensive elaboration ❤️
does it work for other music genre like pop, rock,rnb...? thanks
I wish that u make a vocalización
When you are singing, do you feel like you're "pushing" the upper portion out, or are you "pulling" the bottom portion in, or doing both at the same time?
By now it’s one fluid simultaneous movement so I would it’s both at the same time. But I started out first feeling the pull or tuck. But it’s not sucking in your belly I want to clarify that. It’s more of a “tightening” of the hypogastric area. Like a contraction. 👍
@@Tenor_Simerilla I think that's a super important distinction. I notice if I suck in my hypo-gastric region, it causes the epiglottis to pooch out hard, which I'm sure is not what you want. If you tighten the lower area, you get a firmness in the epi region which seems much more appropriate. Great videos! Keep 'em coming!
I would like to add an interesting story though. When I was but I wee lad, my first voice teacher was short and stocky, looked a lot like Gigli and I swear sounded a lot like him as well. When he inhaled and sang, his whole epi-gastric region , all the way around his upper belly would push out. that's how he would fill up his lungs, by filling that area. He could fill the left epi-gastric region, then the right, etc. He had complete control over that area. It was rather remarkable. He also did the pushing the piano trick. Now that's probably too much pressure there, but it worked for him.
@@HoltonJohnson yes that’s very close to what I feel in This movement. It’s not perhaps as much as you may be describing but there is also very much a lateral support as well. Especial with the intercostal well expanded. Always staying pliable, so you can lean into it when you want more and out of it when you need less. 👍
Can you sing with distortion? I mean rock vocal. Btw great videos, thanks.
If you’re asking me personally. No I don’t sing with distortion or rasp. It’s not in the style of my specific musical genre. I know for rock it is more used and I know there is a “safe” way of doing it that doesn’t actually require singing with a “rasp” in the voice as that is incredibly unhealthy and damaging. But its not my expertise, so I don’t teach it in what I do. :) 👍
You talked about Caruso breathing technique I think
Do you have vocal lessons online?
no thats great, i like everything you said, is the tilted larynx included in this pattern of disciplines, thanks let me know.
Yes check out my other videos for that 👍
I don't like the cussing but your voice is beautiful Mr. Jose! ❤ 😊 🎉
❤️🇱🇨!!!
You’re engaging the transverse abdominis, correct?
This is making me so angry honestly. I have a vocal teacher right now who is ALL about loose belly he even makes me do an exercise that is called “splat” which means keep the belly loose. … so now “tucking” the belly is the absolute opposite of this. So AS USUAL you will hear everything and its exact contrary. That’s why the more I’m trying to get “expert” advice the more I’m confused and at a loss. I will just sing the way I feel like it and that’s it.
Been there. I know it’s hard and difficult to not be frustrated. But don’t let it dampen your spirits, find what work for you and resonantes with you that allows you to make the desired sound you want and most importantly in a healthy way. 👍
@@Tenor_SimerillaI still appreciate your virtuoso technics and amazing voice
Thicc❤
How strangely this knowledgeable guy pronounces "position"!
What the f##k is vibrato?