OMGosh, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard a singer say something like, “I usually sing in the key of G,” or “I usually sing best in the key of D.” I cringe when I hear this because the singer doesn’t really understand the full extent of what they are saying. As … Read more
I can still remember having trouble pronouncing the word “larynx” when I first started SLS training. Even though I had studied the voice for years, other teachers hardly ever talked about that funny little bump in the middle of my throat. Once I started studying Speech Level Singing and other modern vocal techniques, the larynx was one … Read more
Did you hear about Betty Buckley’s recent rant about Randy Jackson of American Idol? She states on twitter, “I just have to say this: I am sick & tired of Randy Jackson bashing what they think is Broadway singing!” You can read her full commentary here http://broadwayworld.com/article/Twitter-Watch-Betty-Buckley-Sick-Tired-of-Broadway-Critique-on-AMERICAN-IDOL-20120202_page1. Way to go Betty! There is no doubt she is … Read more
Learning to sing better isn’t rocket science. However, difficulty can arise when a singer wants to sound like someone else. You know what I mean. Singers may want to sound like Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Christine Aguilera, Steven Perry, Barbra Streisand….the list goes on. We all have our favourite voices that we try to emulate. All … Read more
I vocalized with my new app today driving into church. Have you tried the VocalizeU app yet!? It’s fabulous and FREE! Singers, you may be thinking…wow, that’s all I need, the VocalizeU app, and I’ll get all the exercises I need to learn how to sing better! Right? No, that’s wrong. Here lies the problem. Singers, … Read more
The body is an unique instrument and these are unique times. The voice can make soft, loud, breathy, scratchy, raspy, whiney, yelly, low, screechy, shouty, deep, high, thick, shallow…..sounds. That’s right. We can make almost any sound we want. There’s no right or wrong. Only safe. Think of a ventriliquist. He can make some amazing … Read more
OK, so I haven’t literally “been on the road” with a band. Most nights I was actually able to crawl into my own bed around 3 or 4 am. I had worked tirelessly for years at three and four-night weekend gigs, most of them requiring significant travelling before and after…anywhere from 1/2 hour to two hours each … Read more
Singers beware…..or should I say parents beware for your child. Check out this scenerio. You daughter is 13 years old, has a beautiful voice and loves to sing. You have started to take her to singing lessons every week to the lady across town. She is the teacher everyone takes their children to. She has been … Read more
Are you ready for your auditions? Do you have a song ready in every genre? That includes legit, rock, pop, R&B? Over 70% of musical theatre productions now include genres other than legit. Men, can you stay connected in your “rock” voice up G or A above middle C? Ladies, can you reach high C … Read more
What is a yodel? It’s simply a defined change in register from your low “voice” to your high “voice”. Can you make your voice yodel? I actually have trouble doing it. My mixed “middle” voice is so well connected that imitating a yodel takes a certain coordination for me. If you are a trained singer … Read more