Sound too Thin/Harsh? Add Richness to Your Singing with One Small Change

✨ If you'd like my support in 1:1 lessons, you can find all the info and book here: thatsweetroar....
Too often I hear singers complain about the colour of their sound. More often than not (especially on high notes) they say that it's too thin, nasal or bright for their liking.
In this video I give you a demonstration of how the lips and jaw come together to make some considerable tone changes. You're the one who gets to choose!
My breathing and support playlist can be found here: • Video

[@magicalcelebrations5079]

YOU ARE A LITERAL ANSWER TO PRAYERS!!! For about the last four years I have thought that I have damaged vocal cords. I can sing to about a G, and then I hit a ceiling and my voice goes flat. It has been so frustrating and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried over it! I have sung life, but I always thought if I took voice lessons someone would change how I sing so I didn’t ever do it. And I regret that, and I thought that was the reason I couldn’t sing anymore, because I had been singing wrong. Well it turns out that I HAVE been singing wrong, but I didn’t do the damage that I thought I did! I learned from choir in high school to have that inner smile, and I was always trying to keep my jaw wide instead of long. All the harshness and the ceiling is gone! Thanks to you, I am singing notes that I have not sung in literally years! I so appreciate this video and I wish I could give you a hug! You’ve got a new follower!❤

[@thatsweetroar]

Oh my gosh, what an amazing comment to read - THANK YOU. I am so thrilled that it opened up so many more notes for you and made you realise that you hadn't damaged your voice. I hope you can now get curious when you feel that there's something your voice "can't do" - my favourite word is YET because there's almost always solutions to what we think we can't do (yet). :) Celebrating with you lovely! x

[@MoodyGuitarists69]

You really have a great information here, when i try to reach high note my voice becomes very shrill and thin using head voice,, i always wanted to have more richness sound when i'm hitting high notes, this is a great video

[@shootdang8618]

Wow that totally changed the sound of my voice. I feel like I don’t even sound like the same person, thank you!

[@_elisemusic]

This helps me so much! I naturally have a bright sound and usually have my mouth in the open / wide position. But I'm trying to change it up at times to give me a richer sound. Thank you!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Awesome! The one thing I have noticed is depending on the singer you are looking at, that adjustment can hardly be seen on their face. On other faces, very obvious.

[@thatsweetroar]

So true, there are so many subtle changes we can make with our vowels that change the tone colour and make it feel slightly different!

[@gamechangerk6664]

Omg! Thank you so much. Even I have Tmj and had been struggling with this.

[@thatsweetroar]

So thrilled it helped! Thanks for watching. :)

[@princesswhitmore1889]

Omg I just tried this what a freaking difference!!I am singing in front o 300+people in two weeks 😮😮😮

[@thatsweetroar]

Ahh! I'm so excited to hear that it made a big difference for you. How did your performance go?

[@katerosen8765]

This was a hugely helpful - and awesomely specific - adjustment. Now that I know it, I have to work hard not to force it... it really is "exploring" rather than "strengthening"

[@thatsweetroar]

I'm so thrilled that you found it so helpful Kate, I hope it's adding more ease to your singing. ❤️

[@hatchmando4918]

I have this issue too of spreading sound too wide! Wide makes it sound piercing and annoying to the ears. Im working with my coach on narrow. Some other things that help me are: Putting an OK sign with fingers where the circle goes over my lips and I sign through the OK sign. It helps focus sound forward. Kind of like fish lips 2- putting finger under nose and when humming lower notes making sure I feel warm air coming from my nose. Keep buzzing in lips, nose etc 3- Changing my shape to similar as the Bwuh sound. I sing songs thru on bwuh and try to copy that feeling. But yes this is a common issue.

[@thatsweetroar]

Love all of these suggestions Hatch Man Do, thanks for sharing them with us! :)

[@leoluna2956]

Okay, wow. I just tried that third jaw position and it felt really great right away. I'll have to actually record and listen to it, but I could feel a significant amount of richness/fullness that I don't feel when I use the wider jaw positions like I have.

[@thatsweetroar]

That's awesome Leo Luna! And of course it's all up to you and the colour you want and your comfort level, so feel free to play around. Thanks for sharing your discovery! :)

[@toolateformediocrity]

Damn this is a huge difference; I am definitely going to focus on this.

[@thatsweetroar]

Amazing! It can really transform the tone. I'm glad it created the sound you were after. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experience!

[@ca8547]

I think you can sing really well (×infinity) like a natural singer/learner than a trained to sing, singers to me (if there's such a thing) but who cares what I think, but your singing is lovely...plus, I've learned a whole lot about my singing voice. Your explanations made me unlock my singing voice even further compared to any other channels out there. 😊

[@thatsweetroar]

Thank you so much for your really kind comment, I'm delighted that you're finding my channel helpful. :) Thanks for watching!

[@missread5932]

Awesome sound. Sounds somehow softer as apposed to shouting if that makes sense ( not talking about volume here now). Love it

[@magenta_leigh]

This is gold! Thanks!!!

[@stephengarvey1077]

Another great video Kim! I'm working with a local vocal teacher and feel like I have come a long way from where I started. Your videos have helped me better understand some of the things my instructor has been teaching me. Keep up the great work, I look forward to learning more from you.

[@thatsweetroar]

Aww thanks so much Stephen, I'm thrilled to hear that you're finding my videos so helpful! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. :)

[@konstantinkirilov1664]

Bless you, can't wait to start placticing that

[@thatsweetroar]

Woohoo, let me know how you go Konstantin! :)

[@aiya3130]

Omg THANK YOU!!!!

[@thatsweetroar]

Ahhh that makes me giddy with excitement Aiya, thank you! I hope it means you can enjoy a richer and freer sound when you sing. x

[@urchincreature]

Hi there, thanks for the tip. I've had the problem of a thin and strained voice since learning 'speech level singing' technique. I went from blues and folk (untrained), to learning opera/classical style vocal technique, to rock/pop repertoire (speech level technique). After 4 years playing in bands my voice was a mess - so strained, sounding horrible, and I was totally confused about how to use it. I'm going back to singing again after a 10 year hiatus and am trying out this jaw position with my exercises. I notice first that I cannot slouch forward while doing it - excellent! However, I also notice that the muscles at the front of the base of my neck hurt when I open my mouth and I feel like the physical position resembles Beaker from the Muppets. Very cramped at the base of the neck. Do you notice this when you do the exercise? The discomfort is eased by tilting my head back very slightly; do you find that this is an acceptable workaround? Also, do you notice difficulty with pitch control when using this jaw position? Any tips? Cheers :)

[@bboynewsboy991]

Now im curious if i might could ask for some tips for TMJ

[@thatsweetroar]

What works for me is a mixture of self massage techniques and seeing a vocal physio when I can!

[@barfyman-eg1so]

Such a great video. Instant100% improvement.

[@jeanphilipstangauseth8313]

Ohh, the tmj part makes soo much sense. I have it too but I didnt think of it in singing

[@thatsweetroar]

Yes, it can be a HUGE factor in singing. I'm always doing stretches and massages for my jaw to loosen it before practice and performance, it makes a big difference. :)

[@Self-taughtJay]

This was helpful really!❤❤⭐⭐ Thanks so much.

[@thatsweetroar]

Thank YOU for watching Jay, delighted that it was useful for you! :)

[@Sobitsaid]

What does it call when you sing in thin voice in the middle of the song or for high notes? For example, how the song: "At my worst" starts with a thinner voice. I don't know what this techniques called in english songs so I can improve.

[@thatsweetroar]

Hi Aman, I just went and had a listen to the start of that song and it's definitely more of a "head dominant mix" and "falsetto" combination. I prefer to think about it in terms of the emotion and the way we'd express it though because it can help CREATE the sound with more ease. So it's like he's speaking to himself, wistfully and reflecting on his love for this person. It's delicate and fragile. :)

[@PersephoneSkye_]

I am looking for more support to my super upper range. Ive definitely got my jaw warmed up and all that... I can hear the difference! I'm not quite sure how to drop it straight down without that little dimple moving. Maybe you can explain it a little bit more...

[@ashleyispresent]

woah... didn't even know you could drop the jaw in two different ways.. mind blown

[@thatsweetroar]

Thrilled I got to blow your mind Ashley, I hope it helped! :)

[@normanhursthouse71]

Love your videos, really helpful.

[@thatsweetroar]

Aww thank you Norman, that makes me really happy to hear that!

[@1GrecianUrn]

Another great lesson, Kimberley. I've also noticed over the past couple of years that when lowering my lower jaw, I had a tendency to force it forward, because subconsciously I'm thinking I need to send my voice straight ahead through vertically aligned lips. This was backfiring on me, because it causes a tension and instability in my throat. It's a hard habit to break, but everything sounds better and I feel better head resonance when I just relax the lower jaw like you're suggesting so that the jaw lowers along its natural arc. Just another tidbit I thought was worth mentioning. Thanks again! I love your lessons.

[@Aphroditebi00]

1GrecianUrn how do you get the head resonance? I don't get it, do i supposed to like placing my voice into my head? But i feel like it creates more tension and strain. How to do the head resonance????

[@1GrecianUrn]

@@Aphroditebi00 Hello. I find that it is the exact opposite of "trying" to place or do anything other than practicing proper breath support. With proper support, I can relax everything else, especially my throat, and just sing. When I don't try is when it just happens. But it isn't easy to "not try" and still have faith that the voice will come out as expected. When I perform I have a tendency to go back to my old ways of trying too hard, because it's safe. I think it does come down to trusting. I need to be better at that. When I let go of the trying or placing or straining, there's a buzz that I feel in my head. I've even gotten dizzy/high from it in the past, but it's a pleasant buzz. I don't know if this is common. I'm not a voice teacher, but I've taken private lessons from a few. The faith still doesn't come naturally, and I find it pretty frustrating that when I don't consciously focus on "not trying" I often go back to straining. I guess as long as the audience is happy, maybe I should be happy. :)

[@Aphroditebi00]

1GrecianUrn that's a great explanation, thank you so much ❤️❤️ i've been fighting over that "trying" phase and it is really not that easy to get over it :( but now i know 'trying' is not the right way so thank youu

[@1GrecianUrn]

@@Aphroditebi00 I don't want to say that not trying is helpful to everyone, but it's a concept that helps me personally. I don't want to lead you down the wrong path, so maybe Kimberley will read this and correct any misleading advice I'm giving. It's such a frustrating and delicate balance for me. But when I do find that balance, it is so much more fun to sing. Good luck, Ican!

[@1GrecianUrn]

@@Aphroditebi00 One point of clarification. When I say that I'm not trying, I'm sort of visualizing what is about to be sung rather than my throat or body making it happen. It's sort of like I'm watching and listening to someone else doing the singing without the stress of me being the one who actually has to hit the notes. This takes the pressure off of me somehow, and the voice just comes out. It's a mind trick that I have to play with myself. Again, I don't know if this would work for others, but it helps me.

[@cyberghost4043]

Beautiful Lady

[@elementaryprincipal4658]

Thanks for this insight!

[@thatsweetroar]

My absolute pleasure, thank you for watching! x

[@selda_KZ]

U teach well💜

[@thatsweetroar]

Thank you so much Selda, you're very kind. x

[@winonadaphne6445]

This was helpful, solid advice, thanks!

[@thatsweetroar]

So thrilled you thought so Winona, thanks for watching hun!

[@lolobuggah2670]

You are amazing.

[@aysiaisaac6113]

Thanks! This really helped me!

[@thatsweetroar]

That makes me so happy to hear, thanks so much for tuning in Mazi!

[@酸菜鮭魚]

I like both sounds ngl.

[@TheAlbiCollier]

I heard the first two and thought oh no my speakers must be no good then the third one happened and i preffered that alot.

[@thatsweetroar]

Haha, I'm glad your speakers are working just fine Alby. Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@arikagasta7421]

that smile 😊

[@thatsweetroar]

Naww thank you Arik. :)

[@missironmouse]

Any tips for people who have issues with acid reflux? Completely flattened out my voice

[@thatsweetroar]

I'm so sorry to hear that, unfortunately it's not my area of expertise. I'm guessing you've probably already seen a doctor or voice specialist about it?

[@ChristineSimsOfficial]

haha I have that jaw problem, tmj or whatever its called..Great tip!

[@thatsweetroar]

Thanks so much, glad it helped! If you're not seeing a physiotherapist or doing any stretches/jaw massage maybe check that out too (it's been so great for mine)? :)

[@GhostSamaritan]

It's called TMD and I got it from grinding my teeth. Sleeping with a mouth guard makes a huge difference. I haven't found stretching effective though.

[@AlejandroMusicProductions]

Very smart! :D

[@thatsweetroar]

Glad you liked it, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. :)

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

Thanks.

[@AlejandroMusicProductions]

ps you look beautiful! :)

[@gayanperera3664]

i have a flat voice what should i do for best voice

[@thatsweetroar]

It depends on what you mean by flat and what is causing it. I have a lot of training videos here and at least one of them on breathing, support, the soft palate or how to not sing like you're talking will be helpful!

[@TheOnlySamyy]

Kimberley Smith is vibrato natural? u do it effortlessly.

[@fehizoroandria6095]

The words "full warm" at 0:11 are in an Exact A

[@BootyRealDreamMurMurs]

A2?

[@huckglancies2238]

Hello, hello, I've missed you. 😊

[@darren4635]

it's much better when she's open and wide

[@gayanperera3664]

great

[@thatsweetroar]

Thanks Gayan, so glad you think so! :)

[@mannatrattan]

😍🥰❤❤❤

[@inspirationtalent4416]

Can anyone tell these words in written comment me

[@ernstinejackson1684]

WHAT about the young woman who sounds a little like an accent, very soft, sexual SOUND. Do not know name of singer. But she has an unusual sound. Cannot understand what she says. Something about I work here?" But the melody in het VOICE is VERY UNIQUE.😮😮

[@ernstinejackson1684]

BUT GREAT SINGERS DO IT NATURALLY.