You have heard the phrase “the show must go on”. Well, for the professional singer with a cough, this is a very stressful ordeal. I experience coughing every winter, at some time or another. It usually starts with a viral infection where my vocal cords become inflamed and covered in excess mucus which causes me … Read more
Christina Aguilera…definitely a voice to reckon with. She has an incredible voice and can sing with such conviction. We all want to sing like Christina Aguilera…or do we? Christina can break all the rules and get away with it. But, believe me, you and I can’t. Christina knows her body and her chops extremely well. … Read more
We know the voice is a delicate little instrument that can easily be damaged when used incorrectly. Did you know the vocal folds (cords) are composed of three elements: muscle, ligament and an outer fleshy mucous membrane. When used correctly, this little instrument can accomplish amazing feats. We can’t see the cords while we sing, … Read more
If you have been following my singing blog, you will know I have trained in a few different methods of singing over the past years. Each one has been slightly different, yet the same, if that makes any sense. In my early years, I trained in Bel Canto with various teachers and later went on … Read more
The vocal cords are at their thickest and shortest when you are speaking. Good singing requires the vocal cords to stretch and thin for higher pitches. The larynx (which is simply the house that the vocal cords sit in) will tilt forward to allow this to happen. There is one exercise in particular that will … Read more
My last post was about the tongue and how it can get in the way when you are singing. When you let your tongue hang out over your bottom lip, it cannot interfere with the back of your throat and stop you from mixing. This is a great way to exercise your voice, although you … Read more
All too often, we as singers forget about the tongue. Yes, the tongue is an important link in our efforts as singers to resonate fully and “get in the mix”. Tongues come in all shapes and sizes, but nonetheless it is BIG. Even small tongues are big. You shouldn’t move your tongue out of the … Read more
Have you figured out your vocal habits yet? Are you mixing? Are you getting through your passagio without a flip? Are you feeling strain in your throat as you sing your high notes? There are many facets to singing well, but mastering your middle voice (mixing) is key to building strength and stamina. Try the … Read more
What went wrong? The acting went wrong. The singing did not. And what about the singing? Did the producers honestly think there would be no backlash when audiences compared Julie Andrew’s British classically-trained voice to Carrie Underwood’s broad and brassy southern twang? If we talk about Carrie’s voice, then that is what we get…..Carrie’s thick-cord, … Read more
Do you ask yourself why you keep losing your voice? Why do you get a hoarse voice after singing for an hour, a night, or maybe two nights in a club? The vocal cords can only handle so much pressure. When they are misused, we can hear evidence by the imperfections in the sound quality … Read more