When singing, the tendency is to hunch down for the low notes and throw your head back for the high ones. Unfortunately, while the motion hints at the intended pitch movement, neither action helps with reaching the desired notes. Low ones lose their power as you compress your structure and high ones get choked off in the throat.
Sue, who expertly guides us through choir practises at the NOC, has addressed this many times. Yesterday’s exercise, working on the low part of the Coventry Carol, was to deliberately stand taller on the low notes. It does make a huge difference although, because it is counter to ingrained habits, feels like going from patting your head and rubbing your tummy to rubbing your head and patting your tummy.
Still, it makes the low notes ring out and, as a bonus, doesn’t leave your hair messed up like the head rubbing trick!