I want to thank my friend, singer/songwriter Robert Anderson, for something he said in a phone conversation that has led to this blogpost. Robert is also a master of martial arts and one of my blog readers. He said that his method of digesting one of my posts is to apply a Bruce Lee principle… Read More » about Your “One Thing” For Better Voice
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Over-thinking Vocal Training… “Trying” instead of “Letting”
When training, don’t let your brain flame burn out of control Some of my most eager vocal students paradoxically sabotage their progress by over-thinking their vocal training. This is a common saboteur in other kinds of training as well…musician, sports, acting, crafts, etc. As vocal coach and producer I find it particularly vexing because I know my client is getting frustrated “trying”… Read More » about Over-thinking Vocal Training… “Trying” instead of “Letting”
Taking Too Much Breath for Singing
When you seem to have a problem with breath for singing, you might want to check for a weird problem…maybe you’re taking too much breath! I’ve noticed myself that if I take too much of an inhale for a power note, I create tension that keeps me from holding back air pressure properly (this is… Read More » about Taking Too Much Breath for Singing
Sing In Tune, Whatever Your “Style”
I just read a post at the Lowry Agency blog by artist Sass Jordan titled “Developing Your Own Style”. It’s a good post; however I have one issue with it. She mentions an artist who jokingly quips “I can’t sing in tune. It’s my style!” I beg to differ. No matter what your style, you… Read More » about Sing In Tune, Whatever Your “Style”
When You Wake Up With Thick Vocal Cords
There are lots of things blooming in this area of the world (Nashville). Beautiful, but for a singer sensitive to those particular flowers, scary. What do you do when you greet the morning sounding like a frog? Well, because many allergy and cold medications dry the throat and vocal cords out, I recommend trying these… Read More » about When You Wake Up With Thick Vocal Cords
For Your Vocal Stamina, Physically Train Your Core
It’s morning and I’m looking at a physical training session in my schedule today. Why do I do this to myself? Partly for my VOICE! My recommendation to all singers and speakers is that you do some physical activity which strengthens your body’s core muscles. Without this strength, you cannot apply enough breath support and… Read More » about For Your Vocal Stamina, Physically Train Your Core
What Is Power Path and Performance Vocal Training?
This post is for those of you curious about my vocal training method “Power, Path and Performance”, and how it was developed. Power, Path and Performance (PPP for short) was many years in the making. The kernel of the method began to form when I tried to figure out a system where I could put… Read More » about What Is Power Path and Performance Vocal Training?
Vocal Performance: Different Venues, Different Body Language
I got a question that has to do with live performance techniques. The person wanted to know if these change for different venues, audience types and situations. Short answer… yes. Be aware of your surroundings… find the fine line between what makes the audience uncomfortable and feel energized/engaged by you. Remember singing is, at the… Read More » about Vocal Performance: Different Venues, Different Body Language
Songwriter Voice vs Performance Voice… Do You Know The Difference?
I work with a lot of songwriters, and I love helping them deliver their songs through their voices authentically. To do that, you have to know the difference between your songwriter and your performer voices- which are NOT the same thing. Here’s the short answer: Songwriter voice is internal. Performance voice is external. What do… Read More » about Songwriter Voice vs Performance Voice… Do You Know The Difference?
Singing Authentically: Participant Instead of Spectator
My old friend and songwriting mentor, hall-of-fame songwriter Dave Loggins, once chided me that I was writing like a spectator instead of a participant. He was right. I took his advice, dove down deeper and came up with a song I wrote from the center of my soul. It was like automatic writing… I wasn’t… Read More » about Singing Authentically: Participant Instead of Spectator