We all get stage fright to some degree or another. At least, we should if we have an average-size ego! As a child I was hugely frightened to sing and perform in front of people. It took years to overcome this, but I did. I still get nervous at times. Actually it’s more of an … Read more
A 17-year-old student of mine is applying to music at three universities. His family has decided that a degree is best at achieving employment in the real world. I think this is unfortunate, and a possible waste of four years of his life. He has expressed no desire to teach music. He is a performer, … Read more
This post is for adult singers who have had traditional singing lessons at one time or another. This probably accounts for almost everyone who has ever had a singing lesson! Including me. Think back to why you wanted to take singing lessons. Did you have a specific goal for your voice in mind? Or, did … Read more
First, a little history. I grew up in a small town. There was no singing teacher, but there was a piano teacher. My grandmother was the local church organist. My mother was a fluent piano player (reading chord charts) and playing by ear. As a young child our family would regularly gather at Grandma’s house … Read more
That’s right. Some singers have to back up. Why? Because less is more. What? Because, singers, if you take this turn, there is a faster way to your destination. Yes, even I back up. Quite often actually. OK, let me explain. I performed today at my uncle’s funeral. I sang You Raise Me Up. It … Read more
So you’ve been taking lessons for quite some time, and you are not sure if it’s worth it. It costs a lot of money, and you cannot tell if it’s worth your while. Here are a few suggestions to help you determine progress. Make sure lessons are recorded and dated so you can go back … Read more
There is much debate over what is “belting” in pop music and Broadway, let alone how to actually do it. I am a self-taught belter, and in fact never had any singing lessons until I was in my late 20’s, at which time I had already been singing with a band professionally for a number … Read more
As many of you know I’ve studied the voice for many years, and will continue to do so. It is one of the most mysterious instruments I know. Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is one method removing some of that mystery, and helping singers all over the world make the sounds they want without harm to … Read more
My last post was a look at belt singing. Today I want to express the problems facing female trained voices in theatre. Traditional training typically approaches the high voice in a female singer, and works downward. It can produce some beautiful head voice sounds, but leaves the “speech-level” chest tones alone. Female singers are typically … Read more
The definition of (chest) belting according to Seth Riggs is using an excessive amount of air (air blast) and vocal cord tension in an attempt to sing louder. Over the last 50 years, singers have been using their voices in many new and demanding, interesting and entertaining ways. Whether we like it or not, the … Read more