Tongue Position when Singing + Exercises to Avoid Tongue Tension

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

I always noticed that little dip in the tongue whenever I watch live performances. Now I know to let it come over time. Thanks, Ranja.

[@singgeek]

That's so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@Chocobaebae]

Omg me 2 was thinking the same thimg

[@AwakenCompassion]

I’m practicing English as a second language... this practice really helps pronouncing lot of difficult vowels... thanks!!!!

[@FleshAbobo]

Hi

[@monagozokorie8546]

so i did the exercise where you hold your tongue several times and sing, and I did it and sung a high note WITH EASE. keep in mind I used to barely belt that note.

[@radical25]

What part of the video does that exercise come?

[@naomi8348]

@@radical25 7:38

[@daleharveywania6439]

I've been struggling with my larynx going down and going up for 10 months now. It makes me uncomfortable. Now I know why and it's because of tounge tension. I've been watching several videos, several vocal coach teachers but you're the one that makes my mind enlightened. Thank you for this wonderful video. You're the best❤

[@singgeek]

Hi Dale Harvey Wania, not sure how I missed this sweet comment. Sorry for my late reply. I'm so happy to hear that the video helped you :)

[@aur9035]

Tongue

[@Sariine436]

Maybe it's your tongue posture look up Mewing kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4OcnGR5n6utr7s

[@jaspreetsingh8434]

@@Sariine436 Isn't mewing bad for singers?

[@paulsutton5896]

Are you in an elevator, perhaps?

[@DaddyLobo23]

Heard someone say to be sure to enunciate each individual word in order to make them more clear. It makes my voice more relaxed and flow more naturally. Changed everything. This video just took it to another level. Just under a year before my first live show. Definitely following.

[@hanzliy401]

that really hit me when she said to sing your favourite song and then started singing "Wake me up"....oh we miss you AVICII....😑

[@lakshyarajput2854]

Even the coffin boys got emotional there

[@scintillating14]

6:56 Tongue Retraction Exercises

[@ceciliapeters7250]

I love your teaching styles. So clear! Thank you so much. I am 56 years old and singing was my newfound passion. 2 years ago when daughter quit vocal lesson after 2 sessions and had to pick up the lessons left coz they’ve been paid. From there have been watching videos for techniques. Thank you so much. You are an amazing teacher.

[@violetmanthey]

YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!! My voice teacher was describing where to put my tongue and how it should be going out but I couldn't figure out the right position! This helped so much and now when I sing the high note in my song it bounces off the walls!!

[@Mours]

I felt like my throat was straining, had no idea that my tongue placement was the cause of it thank you soo much for making these videos

[@BeaglyBeagle488]

This is an excellent and informative lesson, with GREAT practical exercises! I want to mention here that tongue position is a VERY hard diagnostic for a singer to make for themselves. Doing these exercises will cause no harm to anyone... but it would be good to have a live voice lesson (once the planet is able to do those again) and have a teacher diagnose what issues might be happening. Then use this video and these exercises to address the issues. As the young lady says, it's a fine line between too far out and too far in, and relaxation of the tongue works in conjunction with a whole apparatus of other muscles (larnyx, diaphragm, jaw, neck, soft palatte). I love your videos and have added you to the list I give to students for further self-guided vocal progress...

[@Pegasus4213]

Love your presentation style! I'm just an old geezer who loves to sing for myself and I've noticed through watching this video of Tony Bennett and Diana Krall singing 'Love is here to stay.' How relaxation allows for timing variation and creative delivery. I find this relaxation really helps. This pair delivery a wonderful version of the song. Do you agree?

[@jimwilliams4421]

1:26 who was watching this part in lockdown from the corona virus and is like NUH UH

[@widaliasitinjak8370]

me

[@ibbykargbo5123]

😂😂

[@prince521]

lol

[@snakestyalrj4247]

you stole my commment brooooooo noooo LMAOOO

[@TheoVon001]

Right here mehhn

[@danielle9559]

its INSANE how big of a difference there is!! this video was incredibly helpful and has changed my voice for the better!! thank you so much

[@billiancechondwe8083]

My daughter is trying to learn breathing positions how to breath when singing

[@Layla-bc3kj]

How is her singing doing?

[@rossharmonics]

If you have trouble with the tongue on the soft palate, study Mandarin. It has four different sounds in which the tongue goes up to the soft palate. In fact, one of the problems of learning Mandarin to English or English to Mandarin is that each language uses the tongue differently. It's fun teaching either language because you are confronted with changing so many ingrained habits of our languages. There is really no word "word" in Chinese and the underlying difference hear causes a great deal of confusion for speakers of either language.

[@edenelias2at]

I love this and all of your videos and especially the fact that you said that maybe we are also doing it right ! sometimes we are so stressed on getting better, and limiting tension, that its hard to know what is actually causing it in the first place

[@belnardocastelo1577]

Wow. You are the only one that helped me with my singing.. That retracted tounge was my issue and you helped me a llot

[@xxJessieGabriellaxx]

I loveeeee your video’s! I have been watching singing lessons for several years, but yours are the best! They are so clear and easy to understand! Thank you so so much!!! ❤️

[@7nacre_teyah93]

Same here 👊👊

[@lexij5034]

😨 Wow! You don’t know how much this helped me, thank you x100 🙏🏽 I could never figure out how to stop sounding so nasally, keeping my tongue flat and raising my soft pallet is a little difficult for my brain to remember right now , but I know it’ll get easier over time

[@hannibalmiles2015]

I was the exact same

[@murbly]

Excellent video. I was most certainly not doing it right all along, and this is what sorted me out. I was getting exhausted when talking, but could sing fine, this made me understand why.

[@maryfuller5173]

This is my favorite video to share with my students when talking about open space, tongue placement, and relaxed throat. You have the very best explanation and demonstration of this that I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and gifts with us!!

[@heathercullen11]

This was a GREAT lesson I have to see what else you have posted. I've been teaching music for 35 years and I think my students will love hanging out on your site and learning things. Sometimes they listen to others better than the teacher! hahah I am a huge fan of RELAX and sing.

[@rominac1389]

There's another kind of exercises I found useful: raspberry sounds, tongue trills, stretching the mouth and tongue, tongue twisters (the 'red leather yellow leather' kind). Perhaps the fact that they look so silly stops us from doing them more often, but they do help.

[@jungla919]

Ma'am you are just awesome! Very detailed teaching! I'm your new student from India😁

[@tima2870]

why do her character makes me feel relaaaaax ? cuz she`s honest and spontaneous .

[@karrenpopovics2780]

I had a minor stroke last year. I used to be in an a Capella group and in a chamber singer group. Eventually a soloist. Thank you for helping me

[@mwpoppy7162]

I’m really loving your teaching style,you’re charming with a professional approach

[@hannahnorton9234]

This video has hands down changed my life thank you so much!!!!!

[@danilynalcones9225]

Amaziiing! The roof of my mouth is always painful when I try to sing a lot of songs with high notes. I just need to relax my tongue behind my lower teeth and I think it helped! 🤩

[@singgeek]

Hi Danilyn Alcones, I'm so happy to hear that it helped! Thanks for sharing :)

[@tpotterr]

Helped me alot. I tried to find my problem because i strain my voice everytime and never found a solution. But with the exercises it is alot better.

[@amyoungil]

Thanks! The examples of how it sounds (inside your own head) and how it feels were very useful!

[@rizo.c5812]

"When you yawn....." Dang it, I did yawn!

[@singgeek]

Hahah That always happens to me too :)

[@tiffjak]

I yawned reading that haha

[@simpery253]

When I was reading this comment I yawned 😨

[@R.R_Rinren]

@@simpery253 same..

[@ayaanomar4617]

I literally yawn while reading this lol

[@olanimp3]

the back of my tongue feels like it's clogging my throat whenever i sing (but especially in my head voice) ive practced raising my soft pallette but my tongue goes up too. I just feel like my tone quality and volume would increase if my tongue could just MOVE OUT OF THE WAY but i can't control it.

[@mencot89]

i can relate

[@konnorplaysgames4910]

Hey this helped me get rid of the bumps in my voice when singing

[@singgeek]

Hi OverDrive, I'm so happy to hear. Thank you for sharing your success :)

[@konnorplaysgames4910]

@@singgeek hey I'm noticing vibration in my voice is that a good thing

[@alaa.mp3]

OverDrive depends on what you mean when you say vibration. do you mean shakiness (as in your voice shakes) or more of a vibrato like sound (consistent and controlled).

[@konnorplaysgames4910]

@@alaa.mp3 it felt shaky and raspy at the same time I don't have that problem anymore

[@alaa.mp3]

OverDrive glad you dont have that anymore but just incase what helped me is strengthening my voice it makes it less shaky

[@elliotlin5955]

Wow, this did it for me! Well I'm not a great singer by any stretch, but I definitely notice a big improvement when I listen to myself with proper tongue position (no more kermit voice), and singing notes in my range is a whole bunch easier (actually it just feels easier to sing now, cool!).

[@LizRahmani27]

how to ignore the feeling of awkwardness when we sing?

[@fliqt4298]

Start by recording yourself and forcing yourself to listen to your singing. Be comfortable with what you sound like

[@sonalsharma5855]

this is more like a personality thing to work on

[@lemonarts3339]

Just think you are alone

[@CROSSofIRON-uk]

have fun pose like a rockstar be 'someone else' when you perform/practice, but work at it serious and study what you are doing and you'll notice the results within months. Awkwardness fades when you start sounding better.

[@ejharriettegarcia5253]

@@CROSSofIRON-uk right 🤍

[@dharmalove3634]

Love this and love you sung Avici’s song wake me up.. one of my favorites 💕💕💕💕

[@robotastronautcatsuperhero5092]

2:10 looks like that one randomized sim.

[@loisgriffin8100]

🥵😭💙

[@angelicalaw4554]

Facts

[@rpgiacon]

I don't know who you are, but i already love you! You are teaching me the things i wanted to learn all my life but i had no opportunities. THANK YOU!

[@A_Kadella]

Wow, this Video is really helpful for me!!! I could feel the difference in my singing immediately!

[@margie2455]

Thank you Ranja for teaching patiently and clearly without yelling. 😊

[@childoftheuniverse1091]

This was really helpful. I've tried it and I could hear a difference. Also I watched some KZbin clips of other singers, examples Beyoncé star spangled banner, was watching her tongue and it was relaxed and forward all the time. Thanks for the tip! You're amazing

[@singgeek]

So happy to hear you found it helpful. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@Mark-vn8vn]

Hello Mam! I'm so dissapointed that only today, did I discover your channel. I did try your excersice and just found out one of my major problems why I cant sing properly. (2 years of watching other video tutorial never did this topic came out.) Thankz a lot! Accidentaly licked the eraser though.... Whaha.

[@peggypiercefield5188]

I do a little tongue retraction on certain parts of songs on purpose. I love to add different styles into one song. It brings interest. Love the yawn excercise.

[@majorzackjamali6164]

hello....i want talk something

[@beezworld11]

You're an amazing teacher! Thank u

[@MJ-sj9ho]

Thank you so much!!! You're a great teacher😊

[@vipinsen786]

Great idea I will always confused to use of tounge but you clear some my doubt...Thank you soooooo much🙏🏼👍🏻💐🌹😊🎼🎙🎵🎶🎶🎤

[@kahra2359]

great video! i feel a lot more prepared to be a super successful and impactful singer who travels the world and performs in huge stadiums. thanks!

[@reverie3200]

You're amazing seriously you deserve a lot more subs💖

[@beaerconwald6745]

Amazing video. Thank you so much. May I ask, where should the tongue be when humming ?

[@pamelachiara1489]

thank you a lot for this ...I have many problems with this and you just gave me a lot to work . this is very effectivet! thanks:) i just add 4 halftones to my range during practice! omg!!!

[@blueckaym]

Hi, where you point to the vowels series is "5 bad drinks for singers" video. Could you please share the vowels video(s), as I'm having major problem with most of my vowels being semi-shut and sounding like an Ъ (there's no such letter in English or Latin, but I mean the vowel when you say ANGLE , right between the G and L). You have great channel with very informative videos! Thank you for all the advices!

[@Digi-Work]

Thank u so much ! Love ur all Breathing Tricks. Cause My Breathing very short when practice to sing

[@marianaaa24]

I love how you explain things!! Thank you

[@jamieb7342]

She explains everything so well. Thank you!

[@Crowbar381]

Fantastic vid and so much helpful information, thank you so much

[@reign7549]

I was trying it until she said this.. 4:34 Man i got goosebumps😶

[@ZoeMusic09official]

Hi!!! This video and all of the videos you made about singing , It helped me a lot . Thank you so much for sharing this with us . I was trying to find how to improve my singing voice and everything and all of them wasnt helping me but this video helped me a lot . Thank you :)

[@sreekumarpp6526]

Splendid! benefitted at once. Thanks a lot.🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@khannafees7706]

You are the best singing Teacher!

[@SecretNUTsify]

since i was a little girl everytime I would sing i would naturally yawn..

[@Harmony063]

Just yawned then

[@marchelapocopio8636]

Your comment made me yawn

[@joeyramnarine4218]

Very informative,thanks for sharing

[@singgeek]

You are so welcome Joey. Thanks for watching 😊

[@willnabors6463]

I came to this video expecting another short and easily understandable video, then I realized this is a really intricate concept to work on.

[@carolm.ferreira3699]

Thank for your tips! I use to much NG too.

[@henryc7598]

Thank you! You are an amazing teacher! :)

[@singgeek]

Hi Henry Chung, Thank you so much :)

[@cynthiaaron3153]

After this I feel more confident about my singing

[@singgeek]

I'm so happy to hear. Keep up the good work on your voice :)

[@lindafosuaah2539]

Yh I got it great thanks to God Blessings Dear

[@Coraline.d]

Wow! I really want to have a vocal coach like her!

[@uTuber561]

thanks for this detailed description. I must say you're really cute and adorable.

[@akosiwolfie5474]

Holy sht i thought I was losing my low chest voice it was just because of the tongue tension Thank You Singgeek!!!!

[@luvacis637]

this is very helpful. pls continue making videos like this. God bless you

[@KameteKenziKinnischer-kv7kf]

Oh. Du er dansk☺️ Jeg syntes nok jeg kunne høre det. Og der står så Danmark i kanal-oplysningerne☺️ Tusind tak for videoerne☺️🌸♥️🙏🏻

As pianist who wants to sing, your videos are so useful. I realized that youre danish. Here in Argentina i have played with a danish bandoneonist. Stine is here name. Greetings from argentina!

[@eshanpcbl]

cute Explanation 😍... Love❤️ From India🇮🇳

[@responseability185]

Thank you, as an aspiring singer songwriter, this is a world of help.

[@cnaber9827]

You should have more viewers. You're very good at what you do! You seem to know a lot about singing etc.

[@swapnildayal6894]

Can you please make a video on singing OO and EE vowel on high notes. And your videos are awesome and gamechanging for me.

[@justindioso2749]

This please!!! The hard vowels. Lol. Thaaanks!

[@manojdhakalofficial2787]

Aeou

[@ItsPsychoThinker]

You are amazing, thank you I learned alot

[@andrewsekay5104]

She makes some rather good points about tonque position and looks quite nice also

[@jenitautaumire8010]

Thank you so much for the tutorial I hope I would be able to implement this when I sing

[@suni_nyte]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! this helps alot, GOD BLESS YOU!BE SAFE!

[@roxnroll8050]

Holy crap, what an amazing video! Sooo glad you made this and that I found it :) So much gold.

[@badamonshabong8816]

I have tongue thrust and it really feels like there's a lump n I'm trying some exercises.. I'll definitely try your exercises. Tq so much

[@celibidache1000]

In classical singing the tip of the tongue should NOT be fixed in front and held flat. Especially in the higher register retracting the tip and keeping the tongue and arched. A flat tongue presses on the larynx. A grove in the tongue is a tension.

[@waudicas]

So you know this better than her?! Are you a professional voice coach? Singing school has changed from what was taught twenty years ago as the science of singing has evolved.

[@celibidache1000]

@ yes and yes. What is interesting is the fact that the better vocal science has gotten, the worse singing has gotten. We know more about anatomy than ever, and opera sounds worse than ever, with a multitude of voices being ruined every year. What we have lost is the methodology of teaching song. Singing is created almost exclusively by muscles we have no conscious control over. Everybody knows how to e.g swallow, but nobody knows what muscles to consciously move, or how to consciously move them to swallow. It’s the same with singing. So, merely saying ”the tongue has to be like this” is trying to consciously control muscles we cannot consciously control. For some people, when singing correctly, the tongue might end up at the front teeth, and for others, not. All peoples anatomy differ slightly. If I keep the tip of my tongue at the bottom of my teeth, half my pharynx will be filled by the back of my tongue, as my tongue is quite large. I have to slightly curl the tip in under my tongue to keep my throat open. As for a flat tongue; the main resonator of the voice is the pharynx. What do you think happens if you keep a flat tongue? Where does the mass of the tongue go? Backwards, into the pharynx - that would be like filling the body of a guitar with cotton. Look at the tongues of all the greatest singers (of which none is alive today), and you will see that all of them have high, arched tongues.

[@madskillproduction]

You freaking rock! Thank you for making these!

[@blessedlifechronicles]

Thank you very much for this. Will the tongue position remain the same whether you’re singing in your chest or head voice?

[@charliesynth4965]

You definatley are a geek. Great topics you hit in the last two videos i watched. No one else talks about those things. I wonder how youtube chose teachers of all this random crap. Although, You made a great delivery in this topic. Lol.

[@charliesynth4965]

Thanks

[@zokheedcovers]

I’ve been trying to do it on purpose, lay it down. 😐 P.s.: I really like how natural you are! ;) Good on you!

[@singgeek]

Hi Zokhid Abdullaev, I'm sorry to hear. Do you feel a difference now that you let the middle of your tongue move freely?

[@zokheedcovers]

Singgeek Yes, I do! You see, I’m learning to sing on my own and I watch tons of videos and read a lot of theories. Sometimes, people say different stuff about all of it (tongue, breath, jaw...) you helped me to hold on to a certain theory now. I’ll be practicing my breathing and tongue relaxation and see where I get to after some time. Thanks for that! :)

[@zokheedcovers]

Singgeek And I’ve been struggling about my voice a lot. I’ve had some vocal lessons actually, back when I was a teenager and I still don’t feel comfortable about my voice. Do you think the reason is that I sing when I play my guitar and sing at the same time (sitting position)? Or it’s because I sing tenor songs being a baritone? P.s.: @iamzokheed - my Instagram. I have some covers there, would really appreciate if you could check them out and give me feedback. If not, then it’s okay, I’ll just work on my voice doing the exercises! Thanks a BUNCH! :)

[@Sam.morady]

Should the tongue be touching the back of your teeth or be on top of them? And thanks for the video, very helpful !

[@singgeek]

Hi Sammy, Thanks for your question. The tongue should be touching the back of your bottom front teeth :)

[@Sam.morady]

Singgeek thanks so much!!!

[@FrankLeonRios]

sing geek you have saved my life from so much shame. you are a legend, looking forward to your next video?

[@coco-leerosemcleay9900]

You are so amazing!!! Thanks so much for your help!!! This really did help!

[@Ak._Sharma.]

Now you gonna be my music teacher. Nice one ... thankyou🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@rizalinosanchez165]

I like your tips in vocal exercises

[@omaryabdallah9747]

Your videos are very helpful.You such a great teacher

[@toneseeker87]

Found my favourite vocal coach ❤

[@hayatseidhayuhayatiii9262]

Thanks about all

[@musicandairplanes6330]

Great video! Thank you!

[@santoshrumdhalirai5849]

thank You for these lovely tips, really good. thank you Ronja

[@singgeek]

You are very welcome Santos Rai :) Thanks for watching!

[@amethielle]

your a great teacher, thanks!

[@FrancoisMejia]

Thank you so much, you have helped me lot..!