I see this time and time again, and I just have to write about it…. again. I had another female student today with a fabulous head voice, that she could carry down to her “belly button!” This is such a familiar trait of female trained voices. The throat is wide open, the larynx is low, and the … Read more
One of the most important things you can do as a singer is to learn how to balance your voice. In other words, know how to negotiate the first passagio, so you have no issues with the transfer of resonance as you move back and forth through that bridge. Men, your first bridge is around D … Read more
I’ve recently returned from an Estill Voice Workshop, and what a truly eye-opening experience it was. So interesting to see and hear singers learning how to belt and make sounds that others would consider “extreme” and damaging. Yes, that’s what we were doing…..experimenting with our voice in a safe and controlled manner. What is most … Read more
So this topic comes back and nags me every know and then. Actually, almost everytime I see a musical play. Doesn’t it bother anyone to listen to a female singer with “two” voices? These singers who have a beautifully developed head voice all the way down to their belly button. Of course, that’s the problem. … Read more
I remember my friends saying “Wow, you have the easiest job in the world, singing!” I would think to myself, you’ve got to be kidding. They had no idea the physical effort I was enduring to keep my voice balanced and controlled, and sounding the way it did ever minute of my performance. Sure, singing isn’t rocket … Read more
Children deserve the right to explore and learn about their voice just as much as teens and adults. Don’t you wish you had more direction with your voice when you were a child? I know I do. Children learn to speak by mimicing what they hear, and children can learn to sing by mimicing what … Read more
Singers! Do you realize how lucky you are living in the 21st century? Gone are the days when you have to rely and listen to only one opinion or view of a teacher/professor, and what they recommend for your voice! You have access to tons and tons of information online about the voice and the … Read more
It is easiest to sing when you have mastered the art of listening. Listening and mimicing sounds go hand-in-hand. In fact, that’s how we learned to talk…we copied what we heard. It is easiest if the singer has developed this art at a young age. That’s why I always encourage my piano students to sing the rhythm or … 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
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