Singing Like You Speak: Using the Tongue and Jaw to Help your Low Notes

For many singers, the lower part of the vocal range can feel like a challenge. Whether you’re part of a quartet or singing in a chorus, it’s common to struggle with the low notes, especially when trying to make them sound fuller or more resonant. But the solution isn’t about pushing harder or forcing sound out—it’s about unlocking the natural power of your voice. Let’s dive into some common issues you may encounter when singing low notes and how you can resolve them with a more relaxed, natural approach.

Press/Tension: The Danger of Pushing Too Hard

One of the most common challenges singers face in their low range is the instinct to push harder when asked for more volume. If your director asks for more bass or you feel the pressure to sound louder in your quartet, it’s easy to start pressing or tensing your voice. That’s a natural instinct—we all want to give more, to be heard, and to meet the demands of a performance.

But this approach can lead to vocal strain and is not sustainable in the long run. Pressing the sound to get more volume often results in a harsh, forced tone that isn’t pleasant for you or your audience.

Instead of pushing for more volume, start by speaking the words you’re going to sing. Notice what your tongue and jaw are doing in that moment. The muscles used for speaking are naturally relaxed and free, so we want to mimic that relaxed approach when we sing. Try to maintain that same jaw and tongue position when you sing, avoiding dropping the back of your tongue or pushing the sound out. That “bass” sound we’re all striving for doesn’t come from forcing it. It comes from keeping your voice relaxed and letting the sound resonate naturally.

A common technique you might have heard of involves placing the sound more forward or making it more pointed. But here’s the thing: when we think “pointed,” sometimes our throats unconsciously constrict, leading to that press or tension. Instead of aiming for that “pointed” sound, think of it like this: sing the phrase the way you would speak it to a close friend. If you can talk for hours without vocal fatigue, you should be able to sing for hours without it too. When you speak naturally, you avoid tension—and that’s what you want in your singing as well.

Remember, if you need more volume in your quartet, try getting a bit closer to the microphone. In a chorus, basses can stand a bit more centrally on the risers to help the group sound fuller. These are ways to achieve more volume without adding strain to your voice.

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Breathiness/Fuzziness: Finding Clarity in Your Low Range

Another common issue when singing low notes is breathiness or fuzziness. This happens when the vocal mechanism isn’t working efficiently, sometimes due to a mispositioned tongue or jaw. It’s tempting to press the back of your tongue down in an effort to make more space for the low notes, but this can actually make your voice less efficient and result in a breathy, airy sound.

Instead, focus on keeping your throat relaxed but not forced open, and aim to position your tongue closer to the way it feels when you make an “uh” sound. When you speak, your tongue is naturally positioned to create a clear, relaxed sound—so when you sing, try to mimic that tongue position. This will help you produce a clearer, more focused sound in your low range.

Just like with tension, you also want to avoid overextending your jaw. Singers often believe they need to open their jaw wider to hit those low notes, but in reality, a relaxed jaw is more effective. Pay attention to where your jaw naturally rests when you speak, and try to maintain that same position when you sing. If your general mouth shape needs to be more open, seek out a director or coach that you trust to give you some feedback. But in general, singing like you speak will keep your jaw, tongue, and throat more aligned and efficient.

Putting It All Together

The next time you face low notes that feel challenging, remember: start with singing the way you speak. Relax your jaw and tongue, keep your throat open but not forced, and let your voice resonate naturally. This will not only help you avoid the fatigue and strain that often accompany low notes, but it will also give you a richer, clearer sound that’s sustainable for longer performances.

By embracing your natural voice and avoiding the instinct to push or overcompensate, you’ll find that your low notes become more comfortable and more resonant. You don’t need to force them to be louder—just sing them like you would speak them, and let your voice do the rest.

If you’re looking for more personalized help to unlock your low range or any other part of your vocal technique, I’d love to work with you. Singing should be enjoyable and sustainable, and I’m here to help you find your most authentic sound.

❤ Rachel
Founder & Instructor
SPARK! Music & Artistry