Jaw tension is a common problem in the world of singing, it can be observed often. Singers who change pitch and move their jaw at the same time, or singers who have their jaw locked in one position for the duration of phonation. Some singers even develop TMJ dysfunction which causes the jaw to crackle or pop when it is opened. It is important for the student of singing to manage and release this tension.
The first step in releasing tension is a muscle is becoming aware of its existence and that you have your brain wired to send "contract" signals even when you aren't thinking about it. The masseters are the muscles used to close the jaw. If you are experiencing tension in this muscle, stretch it. How? Open your mouth wide, really wide. Try to fit 3 knuckles in your mouth. Stretching is a great way to teach yourself to stop sending contract signals, because in order to elongate the muscle you HAVE to stop contracting it.
Another way to become aware of tension in your masseters is by chewing, especially when singing. Humming while making a chewing movement allows you to dissociate the singing neural impulse and the masseter neural impulse. It's sort of like rubbing your belly and patting your head. The two processes don't have anything to do with one another so you have to train your brain to keep them separate, or else you end up rubbing your head and patting your belly, and no one wants that. It just looks silly.
It is normal also for your jaw muscles to be sore the day after stretching, just like any other muscles get sore after a good stretching, so don't worry if putting a few knuckles in your mouth causes moderate soreness.
To your success,
Larz the Larynx
The first step in releasing tension is a muscle is becoming aware of its existence and that you have your brain wired to send "contract" signals even when you aren't thinking about it. The masseters are the muscles used to close the jaw. If you are experiencing tension in this muscle, stretch it. How? Open your mouth wide, really wide. Try to fit 3 knuckles in your mouth. Stretching is a great way to teach yourself to stop sending contract signals, because in order to elongate the muscle you HAVE to stop contracting it.
Another way to become aware of tension in your masseters is by chewing, especially when singing. Humming while making a chewing movement allows you to dissociate the singing neural impulse and the masseter neural impulse. It's sort of like rubbing your belly and patting your head. The two processes don't have anything to do with one another so you have to train your brain to keep them separate, or else you end up rubbing your head and patting your belly, and no one wants that. It just looks silly.
It is normal also for your jaw muscles to be sore the day after stretching, just like any other muscles get sore after a good stretching, so don't worry if putting a few knuckles in your mouth causes moderate soreness.
To your success,
Larz the Larynx
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