On the whole the mental images we have running through our head as we sing will affect the sound quality. Thoughts we have will also affect the sound. A sad thought will create a sad sound etc.
Is it the image itself that creates the improved sound or is it your attention being placed on an image that helps? A very small number of studies have been conducted that suggest that mental imagery combined with a gesture engages the relevant muscles more strongly thus creating a better sound.
The problem with images is that some people are not able to create an image for themselves as they are not visual learners. Also the image I create for myself that I think does what I want it to do with my voice might not have the same effect for anybody else.
I personally believe that an image, like a gesture, distracts the brain’s interference centre so that that part of our brain that knows what to do can indeed produce the right sound.
I feel we get in our own way too much by trying to micro manage and over analyse our voices. If we just allow our brain to do what it knows to do all will be much better when it comes to singing and to that effect imagery does work.
When something works I feel it best to recognise it works, create some sort of link to what has just happened and then recreate that link. A feeling or an image, whatever works for you is best, not an image I have decided upon for everybody to follow. I can offer images that work for me but it is better for everybody to create their own images for them to be effective.
Having an image of the phrase you are about to sing with regards to it’s meaning of the text will help you put the phrase over better. After all our performances are judged by how we have made the audience feel and what connections we have made with them. The audience too will create images for themselves based upon what they have heard. Sometimes it’s the text, sometimes the melody and sometimes the feelings you have put in to it and of course a combination of all that informs the audience to create whatever they have created. Singing in a foreign language therefore can be just as effective to an English speaking audience as singing in English.
Exercise
Consider high notes in a song. What do you think of, see or feel, that helps you sing them with ease?
