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
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
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?
How a Music Career Is Like a Boogie Board
Tips o help you enjoy the ride! NOTE: The audio player should appear below, if not, please click on the title of this post and go online to hear. Available also on iTunes , Google Play, TuneIn Radio, Android apps It was that time again this month… for my annual boogie boarding vacation at the beach! While I was out… Read More » about How a Music Career Is Like a Boogie Board
Performance Magic: The Power of Almost Losing Control
Ready To Create Magic? Performance is, or should be, an experience for your audience so powerful they lose themselves in it. If you add a little magic to your performance, you can really take the audience for a ride. I call it the ‘illusion of almost losing control’. Notice I say ‘ALMOST’ losing control. Think… Read More » about Performance Magic: The Power of Almost Losing Control
Stance Secrets to Singing With Guitar
Practicing my new stance Singing with guitar can be helped or sabotaged by some subtle stance choices. I’ve been having to up my game due to my upcoming band showcase – I play guitar on a couple of our songs. I was having trouble with buzzing strings, cramped hands and back, hurting shoulder and a tendency… Read More » about Stance Secrets to Singing With Guitar
How Vocal Vibrato is Like Garlic
Vocal vibrato is like garlic… some songs/dishes call for more, some less. Sometimes you want artichoke garlic, sometimes elephant garlic – sometimes you want faster wave vibrato, sometimes slower. What you want in both the singer and the chef is… control! Garlic aside, in my practical experience, these are the two most effective remedies for… Read More » about How Vocal Vibrato is Like Garlic
When the Songwriter is a Minor
(Note that I said a minor… not a miner.) If the songwriter is under (minor) age, and wishes to sign up at a performing rights organization (PRO) such as BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, etc, there is a step which must be taken first. According to a client of mine who just went through this process for… Read More » about When the Songwriter is a Minor
When Voices Aren’t Heard
Voices need to be heard. When they aren’t, not only is the individual somehow compromised, the world is, also. I woke this morning to the horrible breaking news of another mass shooting of innocent, random victims, this time in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. Because one of my precious sisters lives in Colorado, it… Read More » about When Voices Aren’t Heard