The Notes Before the High Notes... So You Can Sing the High Notes

Today, I want to emphasise the critical role of the passaggio in a tenor's vocal journey, especially when reaching for those challenging high notes. Achieving a seamless transition through the passaggio is essential. It should be effortless and gentle; any tension can compound as we ascend, making it even harder to reach those high notes. We need to maintain the right vocal space. We must stretch the sound without compromising its quality—avoiding overly wide, thin, or dark tones. This balance is key to producing a rich and resonant sound. By focusing on consistent vowel shapes, we can mitigate the tendency for our sound to lift or tense during these transitions. With the right technique, we can gracefully override these pitfalls.