Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To find one's voice / to tune one's voice: The primary meaning is to prepare or adjust one's singing voice, often by humming or singing a few initial notes, to ensure it is in the correct pitch, key, or quality before beginning to sing properly.
   • To give the pitch / to set the tone (musical): In a musical context, it refers to the act of establishing the correct starting note or key for a piece of music, either for a singer or an instrumentalist.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Ca sĩ lấy giọng một phút trước khi biểu diễn. (The singer found her voice one minute before the performance.)
  • Anh ấy lấy giọng theo tiếng đàn piano. (He tuned his voice to the sound of the piano.)
  • Nhạc trưởng lấy giọng cho cả dàn hợp xướng. (The conductor set the tone for the entire choir.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is almost exclusively used in musical or performance contexts. It describes a crucial preparatory step for vocalists.
• It can imply not just finding the pitch, but also preparing the vocal cords and breath for optimal singing.

Variants and Related Words

• Lên giọng (v): to raise one's voice (in speech), or to sing in a higher register.
• Xuống giọng (v): to lower one's voice (in speech), or to sing in a lower register.
• Vỡ giọng (v): for one's voice to break (typically during puberty).

Synonyms

• To warm up (one's voice): to prepare the voice for singing.
• To find the key: to locate the correct musical starting point.
• To pitch: to set or establish a particular note.

Related Idioms

• While "lấy giọng" itself is not typically part of a broader idiom, the concept is central to the idiom "lấy hơi lấy giọng", which means to thoroughly prepare one's breath and voice for singing.
  • Cô ấy cần một chút thời gian để lấy hơi lấy giọng. (She needs a little time to prepare her breath and voice.)