Principles Of Good Singing Pt. 10: Flexibility

Singing is tedious, boring, and unnatural if it lacks flexibility, which
permits a voice to fluctuate in color, power, emotional intensity, range, and pitch modulation. It could also mean bending the vocal line, perhaps by sliding from one note to another, for example, in an especially emotional way. On the other hand, an artist who sings with too much flexibility could neutralize the power and meaning of his performance. In this sense, an artist having a flexible voice that easily registers his feelings could be a challenge to his artistry, for the temptation to overbend the melody line and to sing with too much emotion is ever-present. As is the case with all natural or acquired skills, knowing when not to bend a vocal line is an essential ingredient to being an exceptional singer. Who is remarkably skilled in knowing when and how to bend her voice? Bonnie Raitt.

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