Vocal exercises should serve definite purposes. They are not something that you just mindlessly do… that can hurt your voice instead of help it! Know the object of any vocal exercise you do. Here’s a simple guide to help you: Vocal exercises should: Warm up and connect you to your vocal resonators Work out your… Read More » about Vocal Warmups: A Simple Guide
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Singers With Breathing or Rhythm Issues: Dance!
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all my subscribers… you are the reason this blog goes on, and I am truly thankful for your readership and your participation. I have a quick but powerful suggestion for you today: If you want- more breath support and control for singing… help with feeling rhythm… …try dancing! Why?… Read More » about Singers With Breathing or Rhythm Issues: Dance!
How To Increase Your Vocal Range Without Strain
Alicia Yantz, photo by Peter Rodman If you are wanting to increase your usable vocal range without straining your voice, here’s the best way: Strengthen your middle or mixed voice! This is also known as bridging or covering, mixing your registers without a vocal break so that you seem to have one connected register rather… Read More » about How To Increase Your Vocal Range Without Strain
Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
photo courtesy of Ron Oates I just got back from singing background vocals for the Jim Wilkes Show at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas. Our performance went very well…Jim truly rocked the house…and the all star band from Nashville (with horns!) was fabulous. We then had the extreme pleasure of watching our headliner…one… Read More » about Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
Stomach bug and have to sing?
Oh my, there’s nothing like the stomach bug to destroy your breath support/control for singing. Hard to be stuck on the ‘throne’, not to mention it’s really disconcerting to have to throw up all over your bandmates/ audience! This just happened to my poor fellow background singer for a live show we were doing last… Read More » about Stomach bug and have to sing?
Should You Play Your Instrument In The Trouble Spot?
So. You are having trouble singing and playing a particular part of a song at the same time. Many times this is caused by the particular rhythm pattern you need to play being different from the rhythm pattern you need to sing. When you perform insecure about getting both right, both your playing and your… Read More » about Should You Play Your Instrument In The Trouble Spot?
Artistic Definition
Many, if not most, of us would like to make money in the music business. There is a very important factor that must be determined: Your artistic definition. In other words, who are you, and why would I want to listen to the music you make? Here are some things that go into your artistic… Read More » about Artistic Definition
Case Studies: Applying Power, Path & Performance Vocal Training
The value of any vocal training is in the gain of vocal ability and the resolution of vocal problems as a result of the lessons. I thought I’d give a few case studies of the three-pronged synergy of Power, Path and Performance vocal training. There are many unique variations of each case, of course, because… Read More » about Case Studies: Applying Power, Path & Performance Vocal Training
Balance For Musicians: Stepping Away From Your Art
Me by the morning ocean People whose art is music tend to live lives immersed in that field. It is human nature to be drawn to those people, places and things which are most like oneself and one’s familiar ground. Paradoxically, in my experience this actually limits the fullness of the music-maker’s life. Here’s… Read More » about Balance For Musicians: Stepping Away From Your Art
Once A Musician, Always…
It has become my firm belief that being creative is not really an option if a human being is to fully thrive. For a musician to stop making music can be dangerous ground, unless the creativity is expressed differently, say, through painting, poetry, sculpture or other art form. And even then… there’s something about sound…. Read More » about Once A Musician, Always…