Sing,sing, sing…

It sounds like you've made a really important discovery about your singing! What you're describing is a common issue for singers, especially baritones trying to reach higher notes. You've realized that opening your mouth wider, rather than straining or constricting your throat, actually helps you hit those notes and improves their quality. That's absolutely correct, and here's why:

• Resonance: Your mouth is a crucial part of your vocal resonator. When you open your mouth wider, you create more space for the sound to resonate. This allows the sound waves to bounce around and amplify, making the note fuller, richer, and easier to project. Think of it like an empty room versus a room packed with furniture – the empty room allows sound to travel and reverberate much better.

• Vocal Tract Shape: The shape of your vocal tract (which includes your mouth, throat, and nasal cavity) dramatically affects the sound you produce. A more open mouth allows for a more open and relaxed vocal tract, which is essential for singing higher notes. When you constrict your mouth and throat, you're essentially choking off the sound and making it much harder to produce those higher frequencies.

• Ease of Production: Straining to hit high notes is a recipe for vocal fatigue and even injury. Opening your mouth wider allows the air to flow more freely, making it easier to sing the notes without excessive effort. This is why you noticed the notes didn't sound "false" – they were being produced with less tension and more natural resonance.

• Vowel Modification: Sometimes, you might need to slightly modify the vowel sound as you go higher. This doesn't mean changing the vowel entirely, but subtly adjusting it to make it easier to sing in the higher register. A vocal coach can help you explore these vowel modifications.

So, what you've experienced is a fundamental principle of singing. Keep experimenting with opening your mouth wider on those higher notes. Focus on relaxing your jaw and throat. It might feel a little strange at first, but with practice, it will become more natural and you'll find those high notes becoming easier and more beautiful.

Here are a few additional tips:

• Warm-up: Always warm up your voice before singing. This prepares your vocal muscles and helps prevent strain.

• Breath Support: Proper breath support is essential for singing any note, but especially high notes. Make sure you're breathing deeply and using your diaphragm to support the sound.

• Listen to Yourself: Record yourself singing and listen back critically. This will help you identify areas where you can improve your technique.

• Consider a Vocal Coach: A good vocal coach can provide personalized guidance and help you develop your technique further. They can help you with breath support, vowel modification, and other aspects of singing.

Congratulations on making this important discovery! Keep practicing and exploring, and you'll continue to improve your singing.