Live Singing Microphone Techniques

Microphones are the "hole in the fence" you sing through to reach an audience. You need to know what to do with them. Here are some tips for developing great mic technique:

• Don't hold a mic like an ice cream cone.
• Don't hold the butt end of the mic up continuously.
  

• Do hold a mic at 45 degrees. This helps you pull instead of push your voice.

The slant you hold the mic at can make a big difference in how wide your ribs are (where your diaphragm is connected) and in where your chin is... affecting how tight your throat is. Holding it like an ice cream cone will also limit what it picks up in your voice, making it sound thin instead of rich. When you do hold a mic with butt end up for dramatic effect, make sure your elbows are out from your sides so your ribcage expands.

• Don't hold a mic in your hand limply. Many people do this! Believe it or not, it usually causes a loss of breath support and control, which will go on to affect the throat.

• Do grasp a mic steady in the groove between thumb and fingers, with energy -- and make it part of your feeling of power.
  

I recently found the source of a mic holding issue in one of my students. Her habits as a drummer were causing her problems. She was holding the mic in "match grip" position with her thumb long-ways towards her mouth. This was causing tension in her arm going up to her shoulder, and of course on to her throat. When I had her curl her thumb comfortably around the mic instead, her upper arm & shoulder relaxed and her vocal control increased easily.

• Do squeeze a mic for extra breath power and control. You can do this with both hands around the mic. But ...
  

• Don't let this squeeze transfer up your arm and...
  
• Don't let this squeeze cause you to squeeze your elbows into your sides

When you squeeze the mic, do it in such a way that it causes your ribcage and nostrals to expand. Sounds strange, but you must learn to power yourself open instead of closed.

• Don't pull the mic so far away from your mouth that it ceases to pick your voice up. If your vocal technique is correct, you should not have huge differences in volume.
  

• SLIGHTLY pull a mic away from your mouth - sort of to the side - on power notes. This can even help you properly "pull" instead of "push" your vocal sound.

And lastly, a couple of random mic ettiquite tips:

• Always try to schedule a mic check before beginning your performance!
  
• Never point a mic at a speaker.
• Avoid mashing and crimping the cord at the base to avoid shorting it.
• Make sure the thing is on :)
  

I'd love to hear from you about your experiences with microphones. Go online and hit the comment button!

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