I’m thinking of that scene in the movie “Kill Bill” where Beatrix (Uma Thurman) is with Kung Fu master Pai Mei and is forced to use her bruised hands to eat rice with chopsticks.
Less experienced singers who are strengthening their vocal power and range might have a similar (albeit not as drastic) experience. Using vocal muscles that haven’t been stretched to their limit or used beyond daily conversations is a challenge for sure.
And interestingly enough, one way to bring vocal muscle flexibility is to use chopsticks… well actually “a” chopstick. This is a technique used by some vocal coaches or should we call them Vu Kal Masters? It’s basically putting a chopstick between the lips and holding it with one hand. Then placing the tongue over it so that it reaches to the outer bottom lip. And then singing the vowels across one’s vocal range. This counteracts muscles’ tendency or habit of closing-up. And isn’t singing all about opening up?
By the way, there is a Five-Point-Throat-Exploding-Ear technique. My Vu Kal master has forbid me to share it with anyone (yet) 🙂
Shawn
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