Anyone Can Sing | Take A Minute To Sing Episode 10: Strengthening The Onset

Take a Minute to Sing: Episode Ten – Strengthening The Onset

The onset is the first second the tone starts. It is similar to saying the word “Hi!” or “Hey!” excitedly to an old friend. It is not screaming or yelling, but an uninhibited “attack” to start the tone.

What is happening is a puff of air created by the diaphragm sucks the vocal folds or vocal cords together. It is the same principle that lifts airplanes.
It doesn’t have to be a lot of air, but it should be immediate. As always, preparation of the air is crucial.

Practice speaking the word and then singing just like you spoke it, placing the sound behind the cheekbones. Go for a clear sound, not necessarily a loud sound (never the loudest sound you can make).
Then try singing on a note the same way you spoke it.

The next thing to practice is a light, easy-going laugh like you are throwing it away. Fill with the air and pay attention to the diaphragm as you are doing the laugh. You should feel a series of bounces, but don’t try to control them by going in and out with the stomach.
Work with this and then try singing some short laughs on a single pitch.

The concept of the onset is especially helpful when you are going for a high note. Just make sure you are not reaching the neck to hit the high note. Feel like you are coming from the top down, instead of the bottom up..

Take a minute to sing every day!