Unmasking the Mystery of Singing 'In the Mask'


Greetings, students and fellow singers! Today, at Ted's Voice Academy, we are tackling one of the most misunderstood aspects of vocal training: singing in the 'mask.' This term often elicits confusion, incorrect assumptions, and even unintentional straining. It's high time we clear up the fog surrounding it.

What Is 'Singing in the Mask'?

'Singing in the mask,' 'mask resonance,' 'forward placement,' 'buzz,' and 'ring' are some of the terms you'll hear describing the same concept: the sensation of voice resonance primarily in the front part of your face, specifically around the eyes and nasal area. This isn't about sounding nasal – which is often a misunderstood association – but rather about achieving vocal efficiency and a pleasing, balanced tone.

Misconceptions About Mask Resonance

  1. Mask resonance is nasal: Incorrect. Nasality in tone comes from a lowered soft palate, allowing air to escape through your nose. Mask resonance, on the other hand, is about vibrational sensations in the facial area due to efficient vocal fold adduction and a resulting increase in the amplitude of your voice's upper harmonics.
  2. You can 'place' the tone in the mask: Misleading. Trying to physically 'place' your tone somewhere can lead to tension and forced singing. It's better to think of 'placement' as where you perceive the vibrations of your voice, which varies based on the character of the sound (i.e., the balance of the overtone series and how it interacts with your vocal tract).
  3. The 'mask' and the 'soft palate' are one and the same: No. Raising the soft palate is more about closing off the nasal passage for most English sounds, except 'n,' 'm,' and 'ng.' It doesn't directly create the sensation of mask resonance.
  4. Artificially Raising the Cheek Muscles (or Smiling) Enhances Mask Resonance. A piece of advice often given to singers is to "smile" or "raise the cheeks" to brighten the sound and direct it towards the mask area. Some instructors may also suggest lifting the eyebrows or creating a 'sneer.' 
    • While these physical adjustments can add a sense of freshness or 'lift' to the voice, they can also lead to unnecessary tension and discomfort when misunderstood or overdone.
    • This misconception arises because many correlate the uplifting facial expressions with a joyous, bright vocal tone. However, the tension created from the sustained artificial smile or raised eyebrows can restrict the natural movement of the muscles involved in sound production, leading to vocal strain and an artificial, less resonant tone.
    • A helpful reminder: the bright, forward tone associated with mask resonance is not the product of facial contortions, but a result of efficient vocal fold vibration, correct vowel shaping, and a balance of resonances within the vocal tract. Instead of forcing a physical 'brightness' onto your face, focus on the natural lift and openness that comes from efficient phonation and relaxed, unhindered resonance.

Experiencing Mask Resonance: Imagery and Exercises

To help you understand mask resonance, consider these images:
  • The Laser Beam: Imagine a laser beam originating from your vocal cords, projecting forward. As you sing, visualize your voice riding this laser beam out into the world.
  • The Superhero Mask: Visualize a superhero mask that covers your eyes and nose. As you sing, picture your voice filling this mask area, energizing it with vibrations.
  • The Buzzy Bee: Picture a small, buzzing bee flying from your vocal folds, and buzzing around in your mask area, creating a sense of vibrations.
Now, let's practice:

The first few exercises use nasal consonants (n, m, ng) to help the singer identify with the vibration area. However, remember that the mask resonance should be present even when the soft palate is up and the nose is closed - which is the proper way to sing most styles of music. 
  • Siren Sounds: Start with a gentle hum. Gradually slide your voice from low to high, like a siren. Keep it light, letting your voice 'spin' in your mask area.
  • Buzzing 'M' Sound: On a comfortable pitch, sing 'mmmm' like you're enjoying something delicious. Sense the buzzing around your nose and eyes.Sing 'Nay' on a 5-Tone Scale: On a 5-tone scale (do-re-mi-fa-sol), sing 'nay' in a light, speech-like tone. Begin in your middle voice and gradually expand the range. Feel the vibrations in the mask area.
Now let's transition to some exercises that have the soft palate raised so you can identify the same kinds of sensations. Note that you can CHECK for soft palate being correctly lifted by pinching your nose closed while holding a note. Pinch-unpinch-pinch-unpinch, etc. When the soft palate is correctly in its upper position, there will be no change in sound when pinching.
  • Happy Sigh' on 'Ah': Start by saying 'ah' as if you've just had a refreshing drink, paying attention to the natural lift of your soft palate. Now, sigh from high to low on this 'ah,' maintaining that sense of refreshment and openness. You may feel an increase in vibrations in the mask area due to this open, resonant setup.
  • Bright 'Ee' Slide: Begin with a comfortably pitched, sustained 'zzz' or 'vvv' sound, feeling the vibrations in the mask area. Keep the airflow and intensity steady as you smoothly transition to a bright 'ee' vowel, sliding up and down your vocal range. Ensure that the transition doesn't involve increasing airflow or intensity, and aim to maintain the same sensation from 'zzz/vvv' to 'ee.'
  • Vowel Play on 'Zee': Start by sustaining a 'zzz' sound. Without changing the position of your tongue or jaw, smoothly transition to 'zee' (as in 'zebra'). Repeat this exercise on different pitches, each time noticing the sensation of mask resonance and a raised soft palate.
Remember, with all these exercises, the goal is to get a feel for where the resonance naturally happens, not to force it into a particular place. The key to unlocking your best sound is always a combination of practice, patience, and mindfulness.

Conclusion

Singing in the mask is an awareness and balance of efficient vocal fold vibration and resonance. Don't let the term confuse you or make you forceful with your voice.

As always, I recommend guidance from a professional voice instructor to ensure you're on the right track. At Ted's Voice Academy, we're here to help you understand and master these concepts.


Feel free to reach out for personalized guidance or to share your experience with these exercises. I'm always here to help at Ted's Voice Academy. You can contact me at ted@tedsvoiceacademy.com or 253-414-2267. Happy practicing!

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