Cast of the Butler/Rodman musical “We The People” using PPP Vocal Technique I just got a wonderful surprise in my email… my co-writing partner in the musicals “Runaway Home” and “We The People” sent this glowing endorsement of my vocal training method. It is all the more precious to me because it is based… Read More » about PPP Vocal Training Method Endorsed by Acting Director Darren J. Butler
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Vocal Warmup: Why You Should Not Skip It
Maria Sarah on NBC Today Show At 4:30 Central, 5:30 NY time, I finished an online vocal warmup with my student Maria Sarah. This wise young singer chose to get up a half hour early to do her vocal exercises before going off to perform her piano/vocal solo on the Today show. Because she was warmed… Read More » about Vocal Warmup: Why You Should Not Skip It
9 Tips for Singing Better High Notes
Using my own technique to sing the long high end of ‘One Way Ticket’ Hitting high notes seems to be the rage these days. Also known as the ‘money notes’, they can be over-rated, because if the rest of the song is not delivered, good execution of high notes will just be a momentary audience… Read More » about 9 Tips for Singing Better High Notes
Singing Soft Powerfully – Make Light Phrases Zing!
Singing soft doesn’t have to mean communicating weakly. Getting this right can make the difference between a soft passage that no one pays attention to and one that subtly but surely sucks the air out of the room and demands attention! First verses, breakdown choruses, light bridges, tags are some common places that can be… Read More » about Singing Soft Powerfully – Make Light Phrases Zing!
A Sneaky Source of Vocal Tension… Dehydration!
This is a quick post today. Just thought I’d share with you something besides wrong vocal technique that can cause vocal tension and strain. When you have this condition, it doesn’t matter how right you sing, your voice will still get tired. I actually diagnosed this pesky source of vocal fatigue in one of my… Read More » about A Sneaky Source of Vocal Tension… Dehydration!
How to Reduce Stage Fright After the Speech is Over
Today’s post was written by my guest Ryan Rivera, founder of Calm Clinic, who is an expert in anxiety disorders. It’s about a specific issue that can plague public speakers: Anxiety from second-guessing AFTER the speech! Here’s what Ryan says: Stage fright is an upsetting issue. You go up there, you talk in front of… Read More » about How to Reduce Stage Fright After the Speech is Over
Vocal Tension and The Purposed Touch
In my vocal coaching practice, I use a very valuable tool I learned about from three different sources. This tool is at the tip of my fingers… in fact, it’s at the tip of yours, too. It is the purposed touch, which can drop tension out of an area – or cause the area to… Read More » about Vocal Tension and The Purposed Touch
Spring Toys Every Singer or Speaker Should Have
My Bubbles, Hula Hoop and Martian Popping Thing Because every vocal student I have brings unique vocal strengths, weaknesses and personalities, I keep lots of weird things in my office. Just ask anyone who’s ever taken a vocal lesson from me… it’s never boring:) I use different toys, objects or gadgets with different voices on… Read More » about Spring Toys Every Singer or Speaker Should Have
New Year Resolutions for Voices
…next year ???… I love the end of the year time. It’s a time when I can stop, be grateful for the good of last 12 months, breathe deeply, spend time with friends and family, re-assess where I am and where I want to go and yes… make resolutions! Why do I find them helpful?… Read More » about New Year Resolutions for Voices
SIngers and Speakers: Want to Quit Smoking?
It’s nuts to smoke if we want to sing… or speak… or of course, live long. Yep, we know that. Yet dedicated, serious singers and speakers all over the world have not been able to quit. Guess what? Now you – even you – really can this time join the millions of people who have… Read More » about SIngers and Speakers: Want to Quit Smoking?