Transitioning in between chest voice and head voice?

[A_Sigler_1]

I have recently begun teaching vocal lessons to a college student whose main instrument is not her voice. Her air support is strong in both her chest voice and head voice, but she is struggling to transition between the two. The transition is extremely abrupt and causes her to lose confidence in herself. What vocal workouts and exercises may be helpful when working on her mixed voice and transitions?

[HaydnSeek]

I would recommend doing a short pentascale (or another similar melody) and move it up a half step after each cycle. When you hit the spot in her range that is between her chest and head voice, practice this melody in the area above and below it. Oftentimes, the use of air support is different in the chest voice than in the head voice, which is why the transition is hard. Practicing the air support that is necessary on the top range of the chest voice and low range of the head voice may help her to get comfortable with the subtle differences and find a happy medium to accomplish her mix/transitions.

[Kevin Ashe]

The lift up pull back exercise described in this video will train the constricting muscles causing her "abrupt" transition to relax, then more strength can gradually be added in until the transition is seamless. This process for most people, requires weeks of training to tame the constrictors. Then adding in more connection would be "strength training exercises, a sample of which the last video illustrates. This summarizes a potentially more customized approach you might advise for her.

I curious, what is your vocal coaching experience ?  Did you study voice in college or through a mentorship/apprentice training?

 

 

[Draven Grey]

Kevin beat me to it