Music Tip Monday #3 - Twang
/Last Monday we talked about simple ways by which music classroom teachers can look after their own vocal health and resilience.
An additional technique to learn for that purpose is twang.
Twang is useful for teachers because it increases vocal volume and projection without an increase in effort level – important in the classroom or in a choir rehearsal.
In essence, twang is a bright, clear (spoken or sung) sound quality produced by lowering the epiglottis slightly to narrow the aryepiglottic sphincter.
Twang is not nasality.
Twang can - but does not have to – include nasal resonance.
In simple practical ways, twang can be found and practised in your car on the way to school via these speech cues:
Make the sound of a hungry cat - ‘miaow!’
Imitate the light, high and forward placed sound of a duck quacking.
Make the sound of a young sheep bleating – ‘meh!’
Imitate a baby’s cry
Imitate the young bright sound of a playground taunt – usually starting on the falling minor 3rd - doh lah, re doh lah, - ‘nyeah nyeah nyeah nyeah nyeah!’
Sing some vowels on ‘sing –ee, sing-ah’ with emphasis on the ng as you move into the twang sound.
Remember- always keep the sound light, bright and forward in placement and use minimal vocal effort.
Happy twanging!
