Tongue Position for Singers

Along with all the techniques and factors that can determine vocal tone the position of the tongue in the mouth is another one. By bringing the tongue forward and touching the tip to the back of the bottom teeth the tone will be brighter and clearer. The tongue creates a shallower and reduced space for resonance in the back of the mouth. This forward tongue position makes the sound move freely forward and allows more vibrant resonance in the sinus and resonating cavities at the front of the head. By pulling the tongue back down into the throat you get a deeper resonating chamber sound. This will give you a slightly darker and more classical tone.

The tongue is actually referred to as a singer’s primary articulator. It influences the vocal tone and general stamina. This is known as “tongue root tension.” The author Julie Chapman wrote: “Singers use tongue retraction and tongue-root tension to increase auditory feedback…Many singers also use the tongue root as a false depressor of the larynx when attempting to sing with the lowered position that is desirable in classical singing…Tongue-root tension also occurs when there is inadequate breath support for the singing voice.” This tension will often come on in an almost “swallowed” sound like the voice is stuck in the back of the throat. There are exercises that you can use on the tongue a few times a day that can help with the tongue position.

Singers need to learn how to control their tongues muscles and to relax the tongue and govern it at will so that it doesn’t stiffen and form a hard lump which can be felt under the jaw. It requires a great deal of practise to gain control of the tongue and there are many different exercises to try and master it. One such exercise is where you throw the tongue out as far forward as possible without stiffening it and then draw it back into your mouth slowly. This should be done in front of a mirror while trying to throw your tongue directly from the root and keeping the sides broad. Another exercise is to catch hold of the two sides of the tongue with your fingers and pull it out gently. These exercises along with dictation will make the tongue elastic and the muscle stronger to improve singing.

The correct position of the tongue is raised from the back lying flat in the mouth. The flattened tip beneath the front teeth with the sides slightly rose to form a furrow. When the singer ascends the scale the furrow increases as they come to the higher notes. It is here that the back of the palate begins to draw up in order to add the resonance of the head notes. The adjustment of the tongue, throat and palate working together daily will make the demands of singing and performing easier. In time the singer should be able to control each part on its own.