Want to achieve a rich, vibrant sound as you sing? The key is SMILING! Not the kind of smiling that your audience can see, but an inner smile that lifts the lower pads of your eyes and the roof of your mouth. Not sure this will work for you? Try it out! Begin by singing a simple “LA” on any note without an inside smile. Sounds good, but today we are looking for great! Try this instead:

• Lift your eyebrows as if someone has just surprised you. Doing this lifts the pads under your eyes and makes it easier to get that inside smile.
• Now pretend that you are about to yawn. Do you feel the roof of your mouth (the hard palate) lift up and create more space within your mouth? Congratulations! You’ve achieved an inside smile.
• Now combine both steps. Lift your eyebrows and begin a yawn. Before you start yawning fully, sing “LA” again.

Did you hear that beautiful, rich sound? That was your voice, compliments of the inside smile. Practice using the inside smile every time you sing until it becomes second nature. And remember:

SING OUT LOUD!!!!