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
What exactly is singing with strain? Basically, it means a singer is over-compressing the vocal cords. Over-compressing is “squeezing” or “pushing” the sound out, instead of simply allowing the sound to release with good cord closure. This can happen a lot when singing high notes. We tend to “reach” or “squeeze” to sing our high … Read more
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
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
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
In my opinion, it’s all relative, really. Here is my definition of falcetto: The condition of the vocal folds whereby the glottis is large and a lot of air is passing through. Here is my definition of head voice: The condition of the vocal folds whereby the glottis is small(er), and the folds are able to withstand … Read more
Why do we love Adele’s voice so much? Or Whitney Houston, Celine Dion or Christine Aguilera? Sure, it’s because they exude so much drama and passion when they sing, but how do they do that? The ability to portray what you are feeling in a technically correct way is really what we are talking about … Read more
Too many times I hear over-compressed cords from students who think they are singing with power. Unfortunately this sound is dull and to be quite blunt … ugly. Over-compressing the cords will only cause students trouble as they try to sing higher, because they can’t release this sensation without flipping into falcetto. The answer is; … Read more
If your goal is to have a thick (chestier) sound in your upper range, then bridging early isn’t going to get you there. Bridging early will help balance your voice, and achieve good cord closure through your entire register. Bridging later will give you the advantage of more mouth and throat resonance with a tilted … 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