Kris, you are probably quasi-speaking when you sing in your lower conversational range, which is why it is easy (and loud) to sing in that range. Every serious singer has to learn how to get over the passagio of the ranges of their voice so there isn't a noticeable break. This isn't something that you can change by reading tips. You need a good voice teacher to learn how to do this. To really learn this, you have to take lessons in person with someone, since this is a gradual building of ability in technique. The higher notes of the range of your vocal cords will be developed in tone and control with the correct technique and consistent ongoing practice (it's a muscle thing, just like a dancer or athlete). Backing off is the way to get the higher notes, not forcing them or trying to sing loudly. You have to develop the breath techniques that support the flow of air past the vocal cords, and when you have good control of that, it is like threading a needle and then smoothly letting the sound flow through the vocal cord space. One technique that is basic in vocal training is to sing one note on a vowel sound (oo, or ah) and begin quietly, building to forte, then returning to quiet, all on one breath. With good breath support, the lift of the soft palate at the roof of the mouth (pretend you're saying something with a french accent, you will feel the lift) and then GENTLY and softly letting the air pass through as you sing a high note, you will eventually extend your range and control. If you blast or jam the breath, you will get a terrible tone, even if you hit the note, and you will not be doing good things to your voice. You can get loud volume with flooding the sound with air that is controlled and supported, not by blasting it. Learning to pace yourself and breath correctly can result in being able to sing for hours without a microphone, and be heard above a full orchestra. (That's what opera singers do, after all.)

If you want to put your voice on a tape and send it to my teacher, she will listen to it and respond to you for free, on what you may be doing that is causing the problem. Here is her website and email address:click
http://www.mcn.net/~gorders/

Here is one of the previous threads discussing singing and vocal techniques. I listed several other good links in this thread. click here

Alice in Montana