Other singers can open it wider/why is mine small??? it depends on how you are opening and where you are opening from. If you are leading with the point of your chin, you will not get much extension. Use your index fingers to locate your mandible joints, one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears. This is where your jaw is hinged to your skull, and is the easiest place to open from. Keep your fingers in place, and yawn. you will immediately feel the hinge stretch into action. Okay, so a yawn is too wide open to sing from, but it gives you an idea of what you are able to achieve. The fact that you allow yourself only a little opening is more to do with self-image, or ego, or confidence, than it is with your actual physical attributes.
Most of us know the feeling of biting back our words, so as not to answer in an angry tone of voice- either it's not appropriate, or it's not allowed. This tension builds up, and can take on the aspect of feeling like one is really not allowed to open up and speak out. A lot of people who take singing lessons find great relief on learning that it is wanted, allowed, and encouraged to have an open mouth, and easy jaw.
You'll want to practice in front of a mirror, just to ascertain that you are not slipping back into clenched jaw position.
( It's a bad habit that creeps up on most of us from time to time, and working in front of a mirror is a good aid)
If you experience any sort of pain or discomfort in your jaw hinge that prevents you from opening to your full yawn extent, please go talk to either your dentist or orthdontist. |
