Trill When Singing
Trilling is the technique of singing several pitches on one beat. Classically trained sopranos most often are asked to do this in the classical repertoire. Trilling is noted in music as a "tr" over the note. Trills are very quick and deliberate and are not to be confused with vibrato, which is the natural, relaxed shake of the voice made by the vocal chords vibrating together as a result of supported, controlled diaphragmatic air passing through from the lungs, over the chords out through the mouth.
Contents
Steps
- Choose a sequence of notes. Starting with high to low is a good idea.
- Go through this sequence very slowly, singing each note in slow vibrato. Sing a note per beat.
- Gradually increase the tempo until you have achieved the tempo you were aiming for.
- Tempo is very important
Tips
- If you can't make the jump between notes fast enough, decrease the tempo and keep practicing until you have got it down smoothly. Then slowly increase the tempo as described in step 3.
- Find a classically trained voice teacher to help you master this very difficult technique.
- Practicing trilling regularly in falsetto will loosen your vocal chords and improve overall vocal quality
Warnings
- Don't overdo it. You may be perceived as strained when you sing a lot of words in trills.
- Always drink lot of water when singing.
- Improper singing can harm vocal chords causing growths or nodules forming on the actual vocal chords. Nodules are really callouses formed as a result of dry vocal chords rubbing together with little or no air support and lack of lubrication.
