one foot in front of the other… you’ll get there! Improving the voice is a multifaceted journey of exploration and surprise, filled with rabbit trails, pitfalls, toolsets, saboteurs, enablers, frustrations, u-turns, plateaus and sudden eureka moments. It is a journey of steps… and like a well-played video game, you want to take the ones that… Read More » about The Most Important Step To Vocal Improvement
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Studio Headphones: Tips For Best Use
Here’s a video about recording with headphones half-off Recording vocals usually necessitates hearing something to sing to. In the very old days, singers recorded with speakers positioned in the vocal booth or studio room so as not to bleed monitor sound onto the vocal track. Well, maybe not SO old… Actually, I used this approach… Read More » about Studio Headphones: Tips For Best Use
How and When Should You Copyright A Song?
Your songwriting is a form of intellectual property, and as such, it falls to you to protect it from theft. There are different levels of protection you can use. There is the paper and electronic trail… dated lyric sheets, worktape recordings, emails to cowriters, etc. NOTE: The ‘poor man’s copyright’ (sending your song through certified… Read More » about How and When Should You Copyright A Song?
Singing Low Notes at a Recording Mic: The Ninja Technique
This will be short but powerful post with a professional tip I have learned to sing my lowest notes in the vocal booth. For the first time, I’m including a little impromptu video from my webcam to illustrate. Simply put your hand on your sternum over your heart and gently press. It should cause your… Read More » about Singing Low Notes at a Recording Mic: The Ninja Technique
3-Step Process To Singing In Tune: Listen, Mime, Sing!
A basic requirement of the singing voice is the ability to sing in tune. Otherwise you must be content to make a joyful noise! I have tried several things in my vocal coaching and have settled on a three step process that is amazingly effective, even with people with some ear damage or who… Read More » about 3-Step Process To Singing In Tune: Listen, Mime, Sing!
Is My Vocal Coach Wrong?
OK so it happens. Experts disagree. When it comes to vocal technique, how do you know if what you’ve been told is right? First, here are three reasons voice experts may tell you different things: There is more than one way to help you do deal with that vocal issue. There is more than one… Read More » about Is My Vocal Coach Wrong?
Vocal Scooping- How To Get This Style Trick Right
Scooping a note is a style thing. It’s like salt, though… a little goes a long way and a lot can hurt you in many ways! First: Why do we scoop notes? For style purposes. Certain genres are by nature ‘scoopier’ than others. To help reach a note. Yep. Admit it. How to tell you… Read More » about Vocal Scooping- How To Get This Style Trick Right
Songwriter Vocal Strain: Hazards of Singing While Writing Songs
Unless the song is an instrumental, the act of songwriting requires a lot of singing during the creative process. Many times your passion for the piece will take you the extremes of your vocal range. If you are a songwriter or co-writer who creates melody lines, you may have experienced vocal fatigue while writing. It’s… Read More » about Songwriter Vocal Strain: Hazards of Singing While Writing Songs
Why Eye Language Matters To Your Voice
As vocal coach, one of the quickest ways I can improve someone’s voice is to get the person using eye language when they speak or sing. Here’s why: Your eyes, eyebrows, eyepads all communicate messages. Actors learn this early… especially film and TV acting with closeups. Consider how masterful actors like Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins,… Read More » about Why Eye Language Matters To Your Voice
3 Big Reasons You Should Never Trust A Vocal Coach…
…until that coach proves their training actually works for YOUR voice! It is very sad to me when a vocalist comes in to me for the first time with a voice that’s been hurt, fatigued or limited in the very act of taking lessons, doing vocal exercises, trying to improve. To put it bluntly,… Read More » about 3 Big Reasons You Should Never Trust A Vocal Coach…