In order to sing fast passages so that they are clearly heard requires:
tip of tongue control
support (see week 5)
a mouth shape that keeps the corners of the mouth from moving to far to the side
look in the mirror when you sing to see what happens or place your fingers
either side of your mouth to feel what is happening
a slight reduction of sound eg less air escaping
a lighter sound
The best way to train the tongue is via tongue twisters. Here are some of my favourites:
Red lorry yellow lorry
Two toads trotting to Tewksbury
She sells sea shells on the sea shore
First practice them slowly so that you are say each word accurately and then increase the speed saying in phrase 5 times at least at the same speed.
Try using a loud and soft voice and see which is easier for you to perform at speed. Also try and create a narrow long mouth shape versus a narrow broad one and see if there is a difference.
Also focus on where your tongue is at rest, ideally it should be up to the roof of the mouth with the tip behind the top teeth. Placing your tongue to the roof of your mouth is also a good exercise for a gentle face lift as the pressing up pushes the roof of the mouth up – preventing it from falling back and down which happens over time due to the cartilage connection between your upper jaw and your skull. The exercise also stretches the tongue helping reduce a double chin.
Whenever you speak aim to keep the tip of your tongue agile.
Exercise
Be mindful of how you speak in general. The clearer your normal speech the better your singing will be. If you are a fast speaker slow down as this will help your clarity. If you want to speak quickly make sure you enunciate clearly – think of how Julie Andrews spoke in the films.
