Turning the Top

There is much confusion about singing at the top of our range. Many singers—both in popular and classical music—resort to yelling, spreading the tone, or "swallowing" the sound to secure high pitches. However, true vocal freedom comes when the voice is developed so that a "turn" happens without forcing or overt manipulation.

The Trap of Conscious Modification

In classical circles, the term "covering" is often used to describe darkening or rounding vowels at the top. While this heads in the right direction, it often relies on conscious efforts like forcing the larynx down or squeezing the tone forward. These methods might approximate a healthy sound to the untrained ear, but they often mask underlying muscular strain.

What Does "Turning" Feel Like?

When you sing healthily in your upper register, you move away from a "yelling" sensation and toward a feeling of excited energy. Key sensations include:

• Dimensions: The sound feels taller, smaller, lighter, and thinner.
• Direction: A sensation of the voice traveling "back and up."
• Stability: A feeling of walking backwards up a staircase, where the muscles brace against one another to reach equilibrium.

The Role of the Vowel

A common misconception is that changing the vowel sound will "force" the muscles to work correctly. In reality, it is the other way around: The vocal muscles do the right thing, then tell the vowel how to behave.

As the muscles adjust for pitch, the size and shape of the vowel alter automatically. While vowels like [u] (as in "put") can help guide a singer into the feel of "turning," this only works if the muscles have been sufficiently developed to handle the adjustment. The goal is automaticity—allowing the cords to find the balance on their own.

Laryngeal Stability

Turning the top involves an intricate balance where the vocal cords "invert" and the depressor and elevator muscles provide laryngeal stability. When this coordination is achieved, the singer no longer needs to manipulate the mouth or swallow the tone. The sound becomes "turned over" or closed with a naturally rounded vowel.

Conclusion: Openish or Turned?

While "turning the top" is essential for operatic and powerful singing, not every high note needs to be turned. Depending on the musical style, some notes can remain "openish." The key to health in either case is ensuring the upper notes are sung with appropriate lightness and thinness—never too thick, heavy, or loud. Trust your development, pay attention to the right feel, and let your voice turn naturally.