Vowels and melodies

Siydock

New member
I've heard of higher notes being easier on closed vowels, but is this something that should be payed attention to in writing or is it up to the performer to adjust their vowels?
 
The more you open your mouth, the more air you can move, which often allows vocalists to support higher notes better. If your vocalist is straining to hit a note, changing the vowel shapes may make a difference.

And I have worked with one vocalist who has asked that I watch my vowels in her higher parts.

So it is something to consider.

But I generally wouldn't give it too much mind. Write the song as you want and then if the vocalist just can't sing it, adjust what you need to.
 
I never think about open or closed vowels. Rhyme, scansion, assonance, alliteration, correspondences, and oppositions keep me pretty busy.

But I don't write operas.
 
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