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Judy's Blog

Tips & insights on the voice from professional vocalist, vocal coach and author of "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training method

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Pop Quiz... Got vocal issues?

Time...
It's time for me to do an inventory on my focus in this blog. It takes time to write each post and time for you to read it. To keep it worth our time, I'd like to increase its usefulness to you. And I'd like to ask you to take a few moments of your time to help me get you the information you need and want.

If you could ask your most urgent, puzzling, frustrating or curious question about anything relating to the voice (fitting for a subject to explore on "All Things Vocal") what would it be? Got multiple vocal issues or questions? List as many as you can.

To begin your thinking process, look at these random vocal issues and let me know which one(s) you'd like to see me add to "our" grand list (if you want, tell me what you're NOT interested in as well):
  1. You have uncontrolled, excessive or missing vibrato issues.
  2. You consistently sing either sharp or flat.
  3. You want to know how to make money with your voice.
  4. You need info about your speaking voice.
  5. Your voice is tired and strained.
  6. Your voice is thin, weak, lifeless, nasal or edgy.
  7. You want to increase your range.
  8. You have some strange, mysterious problem that occurs when you speak or sing.
  9. You don't know what style you should sing.
  10. You have a frustrating vocal break.
  11. You feel numb or fake in performance.
  12. You can't get the magic in your studio vocals that you get in live performance.
  13. You want to know how to correctly sing and play an instrument simultaneously.
  14. You want to know how to choose great vocal training.
  15. You want to protect yourself from getting ripped off in the music business.
  16. You want to learn and keep up with how the music business news.
  17. You'd like to learn how use breath more efficiently when speaking or singing.
  18. You want to learn to read music or the Nashville number system.
  19. You want to know how to fire up your creativity.
  20. You want to know what "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training can do for you.
  21. You are interested in ideas to keep the voice healthy.
  22. You want to know how to co-write.
OK... your turn... just click the comment link at the bottom of this post and list numbers of issues of interest to you. Then add your own. And thank you for joining the conversation!

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posted by Judy Rodman @ 2:42 PM  

9 Comments:

  • At April 11, 2008 6:14 PM , Anonymous Leigh Ann said...

    Everything sounds good to me, but these are what I'd personally be particularly interested in.

    2. (sing sharp/flat)--I have good pitch but I think I tend to get a little off in my upper range. Is that normal? What do you do about it if you can't hear it?

    3. (making money)--particularly if you have a day job but love to sing and would like to make money on the side. (Like: How do you get into singing at a coffee bar or how do you find bands looking for singers, etc.?)

    4. (speaking voice)--tips on how to make it sound the best it can.

    5. (tired/strained)--maybe periodic quick reminders on how to sing properly.

    16. (business news)--tidbits every once in a while might be fun.

    22. (co-writing)--I think it'd be interesting to learn about the process.

    Here's another one: tips on how to sing in different styles. I tried to sing in a bluesy style on a movie once. I could not--and still can't--understand why it kept coming out more rock/pop. I would love to be a vocal chameleon.

    I think the ins and outs of working in the biz are always interesting, too.

    :-)

     

  • At April 12, 2008 8:55 AM , Anonymous Leyla Fences said...

    Hi Judy,

    Here are some topics I'd be interested in learning more about...

    1. How to "slow down" a fast vibrato

    2. Making money with my voice (I bet we all want this one!)

    3. Avoiding thin sound in upper ranges

    4. Increasing range.

    5. Frustrating vocal break.

    6. Getting the magic in studio vocals that you get live performance.

    7. Singing and playing guitar simultaneously.

    8. Using breath more efficiently when singing.

    9. Ideas to keep the voice healthy.

    P.S. I'd still like to arrange to get some coaching on how to use your exercise CDs properly! I'm afraid I might practice the exercises incorrectly and ingrain some bad technique. Any ideas on how to do this virtually as I won't be in Nashville again until September?

    Leyla Fences

     

  • At April 12, 2008 9:02 AM , Blogger Judy Rodman said...

    Wow, I'm getting some great responses in, both via the two comments here from Leigh Ann and Leyla, and from several emails I've received. OK wonderful readers, posts will be coming at cha on your topics of interest!

    PS... Leyla, you might want to set up some phone lessons with me. Just schedule them like you would an ordinary lesson. When you can't get in to see me, phone lessons work quite well.

     

  • At April 12, 2008 9:04 AM , Blogger Judy Rodman said...

    PS everyone else... I'd love to hear from as many readers as possible - please leave your own lists of favorite topics by clicking the comment link. Thanks!

     

  • At April 13, 2008 2:28 PM , Blogger Jordan said...

    Hey Judy!

    "You consistently sing either sharp or flat." It's flat for me! It's the #1 thing that makes me say "I can't sing."

    "Your voice is thin, weak, lifeless, nasal or edgy." you mean you can help that? I thought I had to be born with a different voice to help that...

    "You don't know what style you should sing." I don't have this issue... but a teenager I know does. I would love to be able to help her.

    "You want to know how to correctly sing and play an instrument simultaneously." I didn't even know there were tips for such a thing. I would love to hear them.

    "You want to know how to co-write." Sure!

    Miss ya.

     

  • At April 13, 2008 2:40 PM , Blogger Judy Rodman said...

    You got it, Jordyn... adding to the list! Miss you, too... come see me!

     

  • At April 19, 2008 10:06 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Thanks for the request!
    I just spent four years learning to sing classically, which was fantastic for vocal health and knowledge of my voice. I'm interested in singing bluegrass and wondered what I do differently to do that without tightening my throat.

    And, how to make money with my voice would be great (I don't live near a big metropolis).

    Lila

     

  • At April 19, 2008 5:06 PM , Blogger Judy Rodman said...

    Hello Lila...

    Singing with correct classical technique can make your voice feel great because the throat must be completely OPEN to make the required tone colors. Bluegrass is at the other end of the spectrum as to the height of the soft palate, and of course there is no vibrato in Bluegrass. However, you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater and sing bad Bluegrass with pinched tone (and strained throat). This will make a good post subject... I will put this subject in my list of posts to come. Thanks for the great suggestion!

     

  • At May 2, 2008 7:54 AM , Blogger Sid Edwards said...

    1. My vibrato is "tight" sometimes and very lazy other times. How can I strengthen my vibrato to be consistant?
    2. How much does stress and limited sleep, effect a tired and strained voice?
    3. How do I keep the "magic" of live performance in the studio?

     

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