Anyone Can Sing | Take A Minute To Sing Episode 15: Find Your Gliss

Take a Minute to Sing! Episode 15: FIND YOUR GLISS

What is a gliss? It’s short for glissando, which is gliding from one note to another without stopping on the pitches in between, and it’s a good exercise for creating a fluid transition and helping people who have problems with register changes.
A register is the somewhat static adjustment of the vocal mechanism, like the “chest” voice which allows only a certain amount of notes before running out of steam. When the larynx adjusts positions, more notes are available to the singer. The gliss is a good way to start smoothing the “cracking” of the voice, which is when you go from one register to another.

Working on the gliss is also great for pop, jazz, and especially blues styles. On the video, I give a short example of a classic R&B tune, so check that out to see how I use the gliss as a part of that style.
First try an exercise with a “Loo”, always preparing the breath, and pursing the lips for the “Oo”. Start on the tonic, or one, or the major scale and go up to the fifth (which is seven half steps up). An easier way may be to think of the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. The first two notes are an ascending fifth apart. So rehearse 1-5-1 on “Loo” and go up a half step and repeat.

Then use the sound “Lee” for the next exercise. Remember on the “Ee” vowel, the cheek bones are more spread, the jaw drops in, and the tip of the tongue is placed down in the groove below the bottom teeth. Of course, for the “L” consonant, you need to start with the tip of the tongue touching the upper ridge, then moving down when going to the “Ee”. Start on the 5th and gliss down to the “1” and back up to the “5”. Repeat starting a half step up. You can also try glissing with different intervals.

Don’t forget to take care of your voice and always take a minute to sing!