Speech level singing can get a bad rap these days. For me, having my first lesson with a SLS instructor over 10 years ago, was true validation. Two main things happened for me: 1. I finally had a coach who was working my entire range at one time. Two and a half octave scales, going … Read more
This is the challenge. We do the exercises, day after day, hour after hour…..nothing is changing. What’s up? What’s up is likely a combination of two things: Old habits and undiscovered territory. It takes time and commitment to get to the next level of new discovery. Are you putting in your time? Are you willing … Read more
I think it is very important for singers to get to know their larynx. The larynx is the mechanism that houses your vocal cords. You can put your finger on the bump on your throat and find your larynx. Good singers have a larynx that is flexible. It can move up and down, and tilt … 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
When I think back to the voice training I have had (6 different teachers in the past 20 years), speech level singing was the eye-opening experience for me. That is not to say that the classical training I had wasn’t useful….because it was….in many ways….but in other ways, it was detrimental. It wasn’t until I … Read more
So you want to sing with more “belt” in your song? Well first, let’s check…..do you know if you are mixing? Do you know if you are accessing your head voice resonance and tilting your larynx? Belting cannot be done safely (or sound good) without these two conditions first. I suggest that you continually work … Read more
As a singer it is important to “feel” your voice. It is a true balance of listening while you feel the cords stretching and thinning that will lead you to the next level in strengthening your vocal cords. I like the “ng” exercise for establishing cord closure above the first passagio. It’s easy to do … Read more
I have a female client who has been training with me for the past year. She has lovely sound. A very pretty voice. However, she is not happy with her sound. She wants to sound more like a radio singer (she names examples likeTaylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Rhianna). This young lady had previous classical … Read more