From: GUEST,John from Kemsing - PM
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 10:54 AM

"Over years of hearing many different people singing, "folk songs" in particular sung by adolescents and men, I have heard so many who sing through the nose, not always giving the most pleasing result.
Is it:-
a) Something to do with our physical make up?"

I don't think so.

"b) Aping someone we heard?"

Often, yes, I believe it is.

"c) Believing it is traditional "folk voice"?"

Possibly.

"d) Nasal air passage constrictions?"

Possibly.

"e) What some early posters referred to as head voice?"

No. I believe "head voice" is the same as falsetto. At any rate, my singing teacher (in Germany) called it "Kopfstimme", which literally means "head voice" and that's the same as falsetto. It's singing above "the break", which is something I can feel but can't explain. I'm sure someone here can. She told me not to worry about it too much, because there is always or almost always some element of "head voice" when we sing. I don't remember exactly what she said. I needed to go above the break to sing high notes. I can just about hit a D, but Eb is already a bit high for me (I have a rubbish range).

Just last weekend I was listening to a radio program about Swedish choirs and a prominent choir director was talking about "breast voice" being unhealthy. This makes some sense to me.

"f) Is it possible to overcome it?"

Yes.

"g) Do you hear many examples in the U.S.?"

I think so. I think it's the same problem.