Don’t be deceived about the “size” of commercial voices you hear on recordings. They are sometimes produced in the studio to sound big and thick and bright. If you heard these singers in your average-size living room, you may be shocked to realize they sound nothing like they do on recordings. This is, in fact, … 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
There’s a big difference between the larynx rising and the larynx tilting. Too much raising of the larynx will only cause you grief. You are basically choking yourself into a squeezed sound with nowhere to resonate. Tilting the larynx, on the other hand, will allow you to sing in your high register because the cords … Read more
Chest voice and head voice are terms for describing where the sound resonates in your body when you sing. In other words, the sound timbre or “color” of a voice quality at a certain pitch. Singing teachers have argued for centuries over these concepts, and continue to do so. Most singers have experienced these sensations, … Read more
So I’ve been jogging lately to get in better shape and stay healthy. The first time around in my neighorhood is my warm-up. I start out walking at a medium pace and by the end of the round I’m ready to step it up. The second round I’m jogging. I set a pace that has … Read more
The female voice has so much potential. Typically our range extends much farther than the male voice, and because of this fact, the first passagio (or your break) can really feel like it divides your voice in two. Men don’t have to deal with the same sensations at the first bridge. As the male voice drops … Read more
So, I used my cricoid muscle extensively on Saturday night. Yes, I was more shoutier than usual. Since my workshop a couple of weeks ago, I have been revisiting some of my repertoire in a beltier way. This is similar to the way I sang about ten years ago, but also much different. Yes, this … Read more
I can’t diss this young man. After all, he grew up in my province of Ontario! My concern is the care and development of his voice, now that his voice is changing. I heard him on The Voice recently, and I wasn’t all that impressed. The middle voice didn’t sound “easy” and effortless, and he … Read more
Mariah is a fabulous singer! She can do acrobatics with her voice! She has managed to sing strong and consistently for over two decades while enduring the typical stressful life indicative of a top-selling recording artist in the 21st century. Even a balanced voice like Mariah Carey’s can run the risk of vocal damage such as nodes … Read more
While growing up in my small town, I always sang in the church choir. And, there was the school choir as well. I was considered an alto because I couldn’t reach notes as high as some of the other girls. When I was 12, I think, my favourite artist was Olivia Newton-John. If any of you … Read more