One of the most common questions I get asked is “how do I know if I’m just in chest voice or in mixed voice?” My best answer is that mixed voice allows you the freedom to crescendo and decrescendo at will. Now, you may not have the stamina yet to actually follow through with a … Read more
I still remember when I was 16 and had ‘two different voices’. That’s right. I had my ‘not-so-great’ American Idol voice, and I had my ‘choir-like’ sweet voice. They were two separate voices coming from my throat, and they never met each other in the same performance. I struggled with the challenge of deciding “which … Read more
I’ve said before what a tough job it is for female Broadway singers these days. Most casting directors are requiring singers to demonstrate a belt, as well as show a nicely mixed legit voice. Not many auditions require a legit soprano voice anymore. Instead, they are looking for a legit voice that can sing from … Read more
As I have said many times before…I’m glad I didn’t take voice lessons as a teenager! Why? Because I would have gone to the old lady down the street who directs the church choir….that’s why! There were no other options where I grew up. And watch out. There are still many more choir-like teachers in … Read more
If you are working on your chest voice so you can sing more Adele songs, you may be able to access your mix more easily in her latest song Skyfall. Most of this song is under the first bridge (as are the others). But most importantly, there is no chorus repeatedly using thick folds through … Read more
For those of you still wondering if you are “mixing” with your head voice resonance, try this. Visualize you are holding a pencil lengthwise between your teeth (or actually put a pencil between your teeth!). Now, direct every note you sing above the pencil line. In other words, “think” your sound into your face. If … Read more
If you are stuck against the chest voice ceiling there are a few things that might help. 1. Decrease your volume. 2. Narrow your vowels. 3. Anchor your head, neck and abdomen. Remember, the best thing for your voice is to get balance. Once you can sing through your bridges, then you can work on … Read more
I much prefer to hear a singing voice that is unique and interesting, to a voice that has been trained to sound the same as other “trained” voices. If your plan is singing in a band, or karaoke, or even musical theatre, then beware what “kind” of voice training you get. Radio-friendly voices today are … Read more
I’ve heard it said that “mix” is dead. I beg to differ. In my world mix is alive and well. The term “mix” stems from the speech level singing technique. It’s not some new-found idea for learning how to sing, it’s simply a way of describing balance of resonance when you sing. Singing in the … Read more
With speech level singing, one of the main directives is to sing in your mix. Your mixed voice is simply the ability to sing from the bottom of your range to the top of your range without flipping, without raising your larynx, without shouting, and without laryngeal constriction. There are some sounds that set you … Read more