The singing voice is complex and subtle. It is not the same as the speaking voice: in fact it is the speaking voice, and the fact that we use the same parts of the body (the vocal tract) to product both speaking and singing voice that causes many of the problems encountered by singers.

We are used to speaking in the lower part of our vocal range - what we call 'Chest Register.' The Chest register is rather flexible and forgiving, so provided we are readily understood we are free to speak any way we like. Most people do not make such heavy demands on their speaking voices for vocal problems to develop through misuse of their vocal mechanism during speech.

Speech is a learned skill acquired during infancy and childhood. The human body however has a much more fundamental reflex mechanism which can produce a quite different type of sound.  Speech is erratic and angular in its pitch, sound and rhythm. However by allowing the singing reflex to operate, we can produce a sound which is rich, smooth, powerful and may be accurately pitched over an approximately 3 octave range. This is the singing voice.

Speech sounds are produced in differing ways by each person, depending on language, regional accent, personality and many other factors. Commonly the throat, tongue and jaw (the 'Upper Vocal Tract') are to some degree tensed during speech. But the singing mechanism can only 'switch on' when the vocal tract is relaxed. The process of learning to produce and improve the singing voice is to a very considerable extent learning to allow the vocal tract to relax.

As we achieve a relaxed, open throat we begin to produce the singing sound. This is the start of our journey as singers. There is much refinement to be achieved in terms of extending the range over which we can sing (by maintaining the open throat) and understanding the nature of the sounds we produce and how they can be used to artistic effect.

Singers must understand and use sound in a similar way to painters use colour. However like a painter we singers must also deal in shape and form, as we encounter these aspects in song, and singers have the additional requirement of performing and presentation skills to deal with.

Before we can even begin to address these artistic issues we do need to ensure that vocal production is clear, strong, easy and natural over the entire range.