Diction Happens!

One of the fundamentals of singing is to understand the importance of diction!

Diction is how we can be understood when singing a text, whether it be an Opera aria or a Pop song. Diction is not the starting place, nor is it a cure for serious vocal issues, for its existence depends on other factors being present first.

Diction can be a helpful aid in the process of re-education and repair of vocal muscle function. For instance, the repetition of a “ne ya, ne ya, ne ya” might be good to encourage movement in the mouth and mouth pharynx, which sets up a freer and conducive environment where vocal muscles are more likely to function properly.

With that being said, an attempt at good diction can only do so much. If the registration and vowel formation are seriously in error, then full realization of good diction is impossible.

Remember, all voices are interconnected. When there is a problem in one area, then all areas will be negatively affected. How much more so when there is a problem at the sound source, for it ripples outwards!

Yet, if the registration and the vowel formation are correct and concomitant, the “chew food” mouth can chew up all the yummy consonants, with the vowelled tone flowing over the pitch steps. Thus, we can sing text. Our listeners can understand what the song is about, and that is always a good thing.