Applying Vocal & Music Techniques to Other Situations and Instruments

As a multi-instrumentalist I recognise in my own playing how I use vocal techniques, and strategies across my instruments to improve my playing, my expression and my overall mastery of specific pieces of music. I also notice how I perceive and interact with music in a heavily “voice centred” approach, whether listening or playing. Yet, whilst this is normal to me, I realise that to many of my students it is something that is alien, and difficult to understand.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been challenged by a student of mine, while teaching at my home studio in Liverpool, to explain more about my approaches to breathing, and for us to explore the different ways we might choose to breathe as a singer compared to playing another instrument - in this case woodwind.

Despite being an oboe player myself, it’s something I’ve not spent a lot of time considering. I know that I use the same respiratory apparatus as singing, but in contrasting ways. I’ve never really considered the use of my vocal technique and anatomical awareness and it’s further reaching application into other instruments.

So let me share with you what I’ve learned over 2 weeks of challenging myself to think outside of the box and apply my expertise and knowledge in different ways.

If you make use of your tongue for your instrument - no please don’t attempt to play your harp with your tongue - then you may benefit from doing some tongue stretches. There’s many examples of these, but my “go to” exercises are taken from This is A Voice written by Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher of Vocal Process. You’d be surprised how having some awareness of what’s moving and going on can help you discover new ways of dealing with the particular tonguing patterns within your pieces.

Further to this you might want to consider with which bit of your tongue you’re using to tongue those patterns. Different areas of the tongue will change how that sounds!

Approaching THAT note. I come across this regularly when teaching voice. That big note, the upper one - it sometimes works and sometimes it doesn’t. The same applies for other instruments.

My biggest tip - consider what you’re doing immediately before that note. Can you take a breath there? Can you slide into it? What might make it easier?

Finally, and I fully advocate for this as someone who does their own practice in strange ways and places. Take a step away from your instrument.

If you’re concentrating on your tongue why not practice speaking through the phrases using a “tah” or “dah” sound.

If you’re planning where you’re breathing use a hissing or buzzing sound to create the phrases (even if these aren’t at the pitch you’d play them at) and practice taking your breaths in the places you’ve chosen.

I’d like to leave you with a final thought. While all of these things may improve your playing, your awareness, and other things that I haven’t listed in this post, there is something that I consider to be the most important thing when performing music.

Your Enjoyment.

Let this be your focus, let this be your driver, let your enjoyment fuel your passion.