These Practice Plans contain the concept of the “wh” consonant, the vowel combination /oo-oh/, connected /yoh-yoh/, and the sustained legato on /yoh/ as presented in exercises 16-19.

• Remember, the “wh” consonant engages the lip muscles and helps create a strong acoustic resonating chamber within the front of the mouth. Eventually you will drop the “wh” sound in favor of a balanced onset provided by a coordination of breath and vocal-cord position.

• There will be slight recoil to a natural smiley stretch at the beginning of each syllable as you pronounce the “y” consonant in the connected /yoh-yoh/ exercise.

• Be careful not to drop off your energy and/or relax the pronunciation on the last two notes of the sustained legato /yoh/ scale. Also, maintain the exaggerated stretch of the lip muscles and cheeks for a moment after you release the breath.

There are no shortcuts to good vocal technique. Remember, having reliable singing skills is not just about good tone, but how they assist you with vocal health and developing a strong instrument that has the stamina to sing the kinds of music you enjoy.

Take your time and make sure you are devoting adequate time to learning and integrating these new muscle movements and concepts.