Do opera singers ever use microphones when singing?

Question

I notice that opera singers hardly ever use microphones during singing/performing on stage yet u can still hear their voice until the back row.

How can they achieve so much power & volume in their voice? How can they sing so loud without cracking/damaging their voice? I mean WOW that's so amazing! Wish I can do that too! Everytime I try to raise my voice I usually end up with a hoarseness & sore throat LOL

Thanx for all the responses but I also wanted to know what kind of exercise they usually do to increase the power of their vocal. If anybody knows the proper way/technique to train & achieve vocal power & strength like those opera singers usually do during their years of training, please let me know. Thanx!

Why thank u, Crystal, for the link. It sure is a lengthy one but I enjoy reading it. Either way, I'm still waiting for more responses so we'll see...

Thank u, jaybee, for the info. That was quite an eye-opener for me.

But I think that no matter how many microphones used in an opera, I have to say that most opera singers have more power and strength in their voice (and maybe LUNGS, if I have to ponder based on most responses here) compared to other singers.

I only wish u could also provide me a link to a website about the so-called lung exercise u've just mentioned. But thanx anyway....

Answer 1

In an opera house or concert hall they don't. These buildings are created specifically for that purpose. So they have perfect or near perfect accoustics. This helps the sound to travel farther without more effort from the singer. And remember Opera was around before microphones. Out doors they usually do.

As for how you can learn to do this. If u are near a college take a beginner vocal lesson.

Check out this website on exercises u can do at home and to learn more about your natural instrument.

http://www.vocalist.org.uk/breathing_exercises.html

Answer 2

Do Opera Singers Use Microphones

Answer 3

Although you will not see microphones used in an opera house and as has been pointed out, opera pre-dates microphone technology, you will find that most theatres will employ a system of sound reinforcement.
They will use high-quality condenser microphones often on the front of the stage or in the 'flys', sometimes using flat microphones that cannot be seen easily. This is not so much to amplify the singer as to balance all the instrumentation. In bigger auditoriums it is necessary to introduce a delay in the sound so that it arrives at the back of the theatre at the same time as the actual vocal sound (note that sound travels relatively slowly ie. slower than light or electronic signals). If you didn't delay the sound it would end up arriving out of the speakers before the natural soundwaves hit your ears and you would get an echo-effect.
I guess that you could perform concerts in an entirely ambient way, but I think you will find subtle reinforcement in most venues. Especially as most concerts would be recorded anyway even if not released as a commercial recording.
The power element is down to both genes and practice as you might imagine. Your vocal chords and lung capacity will need to be developed in a specific way, and mother nature can certainly help along the way... I think most singing tutors will say that they can teach ANYBODY to sing, but true greatness in this arena requires natural gifting as well as training. I believe that the correct way to sing uses the lungs more than the throat, so if your throat is hurting, a singing tutor can teach you the correct way to sing from deep down inside... Sounds a bit odd, but that is how it was explained to me, you should maybe try a few lessons from a tutor to learn the basics?
The link below is for microphones in general...

Answer 4

I don't sing opera, I sing Mariachi music and believe me I don't need a microphone. It just comes out that way. When I sing with a mariachi group, I have to hold the mike away from me in Karaoke too. I can sing alto or soprano. I don't do any breathing exercises, but I'm sure some singers must. I'd like to tone my voice down some, but then the song just doesn't come out right. Take some opera lessons, that might help.

Answer 5

Yes I saved my mom from being beat to death by my father... A lot of fvcking good that did she took him back and what did I get out of this you may ask? A broken jaw, stitches, a fractured skull... I really don't know why I bothered, it's not like she even loves me I also helped some kid that got hit by a truck.. I was pretty young but I sat there with him trying to keep him calm and stop the bleeding until an ambulance arrived

Answer 6

Opera singers do not use microphones.

The singing voice when properly produced creates a sound that carries nicely. It does not need to be that loud, but it does need to be
properly "placed" and "supported". It is a matter of good training, as is true of all the arts. It takes time to achieve a finished sound.

Do not hurt yourself trying to create that sound in short order, by your own methods. It will only hurt you, as you already have experienced, with your hoarseness and sore throat! Singers produce that much sound without hurting themselves because their voices create that sound without strain.

Answer 7

Years of training and- i'm sad to say- that they're just born with the capacity to develop that power. We're all born with different types of voices and physiques that help support and develop those voices. It's like the way some people are born altos and some are born sopranoes and some can sing either phenomenally. Makes you jealous- doesn't it?

As for you trying to acheive that- don't strain yourself. If your throat hurts you might be damaging vocal cords. Start small and see what feels natural and as your voice develops so will its strength. If you really want to develop it I would suggest voice lessons or some type of coaching.

Answer 8

It's also a lot to do with focussing the sound, not just volume.

A lot of people make the mistake of trying to use pressure in their throat to sing louder - do not do this!!

All of the support must come from your diaphragm, not your throat. Also try to imagine that the sound is actually coming out of the bridge of your nose rather than your mouth, this will help the tone to 'spin' rather than be flat.

Answer 9

Not in opera houses. Yes in open performance spaces (see Andrea Bottacelli (sp?) on tV.
The voice comes from years of training with proper breathing supporting the vocal cords.

Answer 10

Beverly Sills did....By the way, don't FORCE your voice, you can damage the vocal cords by doing that and end up never singing again. Ease into this with the assistance of a qualified vocal coach.