Microphones are the “hole in the fence” you sing through to reach an audience. You need to know what to do with them. Here are some tips for developing great mic technique: Don’t hold a mic like an ice cream cone. Don’t hold the butt end of the mic up continuously. Do hold a mic… Read More » about Live Singing Microphone Techniques
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Singing In Color vs Black & White
I have heard many technically amazing singers who wonder why they don’t have record deals or much of a devoted following. Very often, it’s because they are singing in black & white instead of color. It makes me sad to hear a technically great vocalist who leaves me numb, and I fear has wasted a… Read More » about Singing In Color vs Black & White
Vocal Training: Reasons Not To Do It
There are many reasons people choose not to take vocal lessons. In the spirit of good-faith debate, I’d like to offer my rebuttals for some of these reasons I’ve encountered. REASON NOT TO: It costs too much and I’d rather use the money to hire another musician/mixer/soundman/get hair extensions. REBUTTAL: I would suggest the prime… Read More » about Vocal Training: Reasons Not To Do It
Payoffs for bad vocal technique
We do things for reasons. Singing badly is no exception to this psychological fact. A useful tool in changing a behavior habit is to discover the “payoff” bad behavior is getting you, and then finding a better way to get that payoff met. Take cigarette smoking. We don’t do it to give ourselves lung cancer…. Read More » about Payoffs for bad vocal technique
Mindset for vocal breath : Support your intention!
In voice, as in life, one of the major factors determining success is support for your intention. Say you want to become a photojournalist (which is what my son has chosen to pursue). If you support your intention by learning to be a professional photographer as well as a professional journalist – all of which… Read More » about Mindset for vocal breath : Support your intention!
Singing with others: A time to blend, a time to stand out
In singing as in all else… “There is a time for everything under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) It is as irritating to hear a group of singers singing with individual voices sticking out like wild hairs as it is to hear a soloist sounding they could disappear into the wallpaper. When you do what would otherwise… Read More » about Singing with others: A time to blend, a time to stand out
Why a singer needs a better speaking voice
This one’s easy: Because every time you speak, you use your voice! When I was on the road as an artist, I used to try to get interviews scheduled for AFTER my performance instead of before, because I noticed that using my speaking voice negatively affected my singing voice. Now I talk all day and… Read More » about Why a singer needs a better speaking voice
Pre-production for recording projects
A studio recording project is accomplished with better quality and more financial economy if time and effort is allowed for pre-production. Here is my list for pre-production goals: To find out who the artist is (what songs fit their voices and their hearts best) and what impact they want to make with this project (what… Read More » about Pre-production for recording projects
Singing causes tissue adaptation!
When we sing, our tissues and muscles change. This is all the more reason to practice with as much perfection of form as possible on your vocal exercises. There is a classical vocal coach named HIH Darrison Noto Bentheim Murat who commented on a forum I was following that veteran opera singers have what is known as “frontal… Read More » about Singing causes tissue adaptation!
Two mindsets for using the voice: Thinking and Doing
Are you communicating or just thinking about communicating? I just had an enlightening conversation with a student during a phone lesson which helped her make a breakthrough, and thought I’d share it with you. There are two things we can do when using our voice, and our choice makes all the difference in the way… Read More » about Two mindsets for using the voice: Thinking and Doing