I need serious help on my vocal vibrato.

Professional Help for Singing (Baritone - Chest Voice)?

• I have been singing for about 3 years. My friend had always had a beautiful Vibrato, since about 6th Grade. I had since then created an artificial vibrato by rapidly vibrating my diaphragm, which I eventually got very good at. I sounded like a very mature singer to the students around me. I could finally hold my own against my tenor friend. We were equals. But it almost seems like baritone is simply not as beautiful as a soft voice of a high tenor. But when I tried out for a play in my area, I got casted because of my "high tenor" range. I was confused. I had sung along with Steve Perry, but didn't expect this response. But the comment confused me. With practice and critique, My posture was fixed, or mostly is right now. My director and some friends of mine have tried to explain vibrato to me. I am told by my chorus teacher that the artificial vibrato can cause callouses in the throat, I've had that explained by a lot of people. I truly want to preserve my voice. I need help hitting that high baritone register in chest voice, or at least how to help my vibrato along. I have stopped the artificial vibrato for the most part, but I need help. My voice sounds weaker right now. I am working on all diaphragm and lots of space in my mouth.

• Answer:

  I've been trained in classical music for three years now, and I can understand your passion towards being a vocalist. It's certainly not easy, yet someone with a will to try is definitely admirable. This, I commend you on. :) Secondly, although the artificial vibrato may have contributed to the strength of your voice, there are many ways to do this without it. For example, the word "artificial" is exactly the problem-- When singing a song, find its meaning to you, and seek the emotions involved. When you're truly feeling the song, you don't need to use additional tricks and such. My teacher has told me time and time again that when the emotion is there, your voice will follow. My own voice is not the strongest; I admit, I have much yet to learn before being able to project well enough to fill an auditorium. In your situation, I would suggest that you continue doing what you are right now. Keeping open space in your mouth, and breathing deeply will be your greatest allies, as long as you are consistent in practice; judging by your concern, I would say that from the aspect of practice, you're perfectly fine. :) And of course, don't cross any bridges before you come to them. Just because you may by some miniscule chance get a throat callous doesn't mean it's inevitable. As long as you continue to avoid the artificial vibrato, you will be fine. Until you have something to worry about, don't bother wasting your energy that could be spent singing. :) I hope this helps, to a certain degree... I may only be a novice in comparison to you, yet I do hope that this is reassuring.