Ms. Saunders' Music Website

If you do not open your mouth, you
cannot create vocal MUSIC! You
must contribute vocally to the
group and allow your voice to be
heard. It is the only way to
improve.

Opening your mouth a little bit
allows only a little bit of sound
out. You cannot SHAPE your sound
into beautiful tone and correct
diction if you only open you
mouth, your megaphone, in a way as
if you were mumbling. Think of a
megaphone's opening!

Singing with not proper mouth
shape for good vowel sound and
tone will lead to a choir that
does not blend or sound unified.
Shape your mouth in a rounded way
to created a rounded sound. Do not
allow your face to have tension.

Good singing looks like you are
singing!!! And actively thinking
about what you are doing. You look
alive and interested. Your mouth
is shaped in a rounded way.

Good Posture:
Arms by your side.
No hands in pockets.
Head held up, but not too high.
Shoulders are over feet, feet are
too close together or apart.
Head/ears are over shoulders.
No turtle head!

This is what bad posture in chorus
looks like. If your head is
forward your air cannot pass
evenly to create sound. If your
body is slouched, your diaphragm
cannot work well to support your
sound. AND if your hands are in
your pockets, you arms may be
confining your rib from expanding -
and not allowing your maximum air
potential!