Depression is not something that can be easily summed up and cured. Oh that it could. This short three part series can only stir the conversation, and I’m glad it has. Deep, chronic depression is debilitating life-threatening and hope must be found. In this post I’ll share some sources that may be of help. First… Read More » about Musicians and Depression: Going Deep
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Musicians and Depression: Triggers That Start The Downward Spiral
Depression, as I said in my first post, can be caused by multiple causes. In this post I’m going to talk about three types of triggers that can begin a downward spiral in the brain. A high in your musical career. Strange but true, just on the other side of a significant accomplishment in our… Read More » about Musicians and Depression: Triggers That Start The Downward Spiral
The Blues: Musicians and Depression
Being highly creative is a double edged sword. Gifted musicians are prone to periods of depression and “the real blues”. In fact, from my experience and observations, I would suggest that many if not most musicians go through a low period of life that they barely survive. We have to take the good with the… Read More » about The Blues: Musicians and Depression
Singing The Whole Line: The Slinky Principle
As a vocal coach I use the Slinky in my vocal lessons to demonstrate several things… here’s another. Put a Slinky in your hands and play with it for a moment. Now, think of the left hand as the “set up” of the line. If you don’t have that end in your hand, the Slinky… Read More » about Singing The Whole Line: The Slinky Principle
The Path Through An Open Throat: The Slinky Concept
Whether you are singing soft jazz, southern rock, a pop anthem, a country ballad or a screaming metal song, if you have a tight throat you… …will not have control of your voice (because your breath is overpowering) …will not have the best sound you can make (because of limited vocal resonance) …will not be… Read More » about The Path Through An Open Throat: The Slinky Concept
Singers: Bored With Your Song? How To Make It Fresh
Songs you sing over and over again can get boring. One of the best wishes I can give an artist is: I hope that song is such a hit you get sick of singing it, haha! Actually, this can be a problem. I got an email from a rock artist about this very thing… in… Read More » about Singers: Bored With Your Song? How To Make It Fresh
What Key Do You Sing In? Why That’s A Dumb Question
When somebody asks, “what key you sing in?” What do you say? The best response is a question of your own: What key do I sing WHAT in? Let me explain: There is no “right key” for you to sing EVERY song in! The key you sing best in depends on the melody of the… Read More » about What Key Do You Sing In? Why That’s A Dumb Question
Choir Singing: Does Your Choir Know How To Control Vocal Volume?
I got a great question about controlling choir singing volume from a caring choir director named Tim Ingersoll. With his permission, I’ll share our discussion: “Hi Judy … There is a perception I’ve formed over the years that I’m hoping you’ll either confirm the correctness of, or point me down a different path. That perception… Read More » about Choir Singing: Does Your Choir Know How To Control Vocal Volume?
Vocal Training: Why Your Audience Shouldn’t Hear It
I got a very interesting comment about over-trained singers at a vocal forum on The Modern Vocalist.com: “What I strive for: no two voices are the same. It’s that unique strong signature characteristic that separates people who can sing from people who become icons in music. Take Sting for example… not the greatest vocalist, but… Read More » about Vocal Training: Why Your Audience Shouldn’t Hear It
Tone deaf? Try Target Practice
Someone asked me this week if I had any suggestions for training people who are considered “tone deaf”. First we need to agree on a definition of what “tone deaf” is. I like this one from Webster’s Dictionary– “…relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch.” Other names for chronic pitch problems are: “being pitchy”,… Read More » about Tone deaf? Try Target Practice