The mix voice is elusive to say the least. I have been bombarded with questions lately about explaining the mix voice in more detail, so I figured I would just write a post and hopefully answer all those questions at the same time.
The mix voice is essentially a blend between chest voice and head voice. The mix voice has the energy of chest voice while maintaining the light weight of head voice. It is developed at the point where the singer crosses his first bridge (or passaggio). The larynx begins to shift towards more of a C shape when you begin to sing in the mix, incorporating the pharyngeal sound as well (the pharyngeal sound is “nnggg”…or you can just think of the Bee Gee’s). The pharyngeal resonator acts as a connector between chest voice and head voice and holds the mix together to some extent. It is very important that all three resonators (chest, pharyngeal and head) are well developed when singing in the mix voice. If one of the resonators lacks training and/or precision, the mix voice falters.
Sounds like the mix voice is complicated, doesn’t it? Technically, yes – it is quite unique. But mechanically, it is no worse than learning how to play guitar for the first time. (Ok, I realize for some that may have been a nightmare..for others a breeze…but just stick with me for now.) I chose the analogy of playing the guitar for the first time because it is quite relevant for learning how to sing in the mix voice. At first, it is quite tough and can be very frustrating, but the more you practice playing it, the better you get at it. The sames goes for the mix voice.
Speaking in general terms (each person is different), the area when the mix begins to form (or should begin to form) are as follows:
male: Eflat4 to F#4
female: F#4 to A4
Like I said, these are general specifications. Some people begin to mix before the specified notes, others afterward. In general, my mix voice starts around E4 (first bridge) with my next bridge coming right around G4/Aflat4. I have a friend, though, who doesn’t starting mixing until G4 (it must be nice to not have any vocal weight all!). In some instances, I may start mixing as early as middle C depending on the nature of the song. Like I said before, it varies from singer to singer.
The mix voice takes time to develop. I would be telling you a lie if I said I had it nailed down. In reality, I am still working through my own issues with the mix voice. However, I know that it is getting stronger and clearer with every day that I practice in it.
Do you have have any more questions about the mix voice that you would like answered? Ask them here – I’d love to help!
Photo Credits: flo and me (flickr)
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Hi Thomas,
This is very great information as you explain the theory very well, even for someone like me, who does not read music. I’ve been developing my mix voice for two years. It was tough going at first, but after much practice and determination, I find myself using voice mix close to the top of my vocal range. Until now, I’ve never had a term to describe this to my friends, so thank you again for writing this article.
Ash Wednesday — http://karaokeinsider.blogspot.com
Hi, I was just wondering on how long and why is it so hard to find the mix. Is there anything that can help to find it? I’ve been doing the program for a while…
how do I find the mix?
@Ash – Thanks for the compliments! Glad that the post cleared some things up for you!
@Andrew – It took me about 2-3 months to find my mix. It came to me one night while watching and practicing along with the lesson on SSO called “Ultimate Cord Closure Workout”.
I would suggest that you work on vocal cord closure and the tiny edge exercises from Technique Lesson 4. Make sure you keep your thumbs under your chin and make the sound deliberate. Be sure to keep the vocal fry at the beginning and throughout the rest of the scale as best as possible. Making those light sounds helped me out so much into actually getting into my mix. I had the major issue of vocal weight..so those light exercises helped me out so much. You could also try the “wee” exercise as well.
Basically getting cord closure down along with those light weight exercises should help you find your mix.
How long exactly have you been using the program? And do you have any clips I could listen to so that I could better help you?
Thanks for the comment!
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