This post is to all teachers everywhere. I talked to a young friend, Laura Cambell, at church today who had home for the weekend from college. I asked her how her studies were going and she made a common complaint that got me thinking. She said that many of this semester’s teachers she had did… Read More » about Teachers: Does Your Speaking Voice Communicate?
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Audition Cattle Calls and Vocalist Abuse
OK, I’m back and I’m mad! Yes, I’m finally moved into my new digs and will now get back to regular posts on this blog. I hope you missed me- This one is going to be a rant. I have a question for everyone who sets up audition “cattle calls” for these American Idol shows… Read More » about Audition Cattle Calls and Vocalist Abuse
A tip for feeling correct breath support and control
I’m always looking for simplified ways to quickly help you experience correct vocal technique. Sometimes the mind understands but the body feels spastic! The “feeling” of correct breath support and breath control can be elusive. You must at the same time apply the power of the breath AND control that power. If you are familiar… Read More » about A tip for feeling correct breath support and control
Performance body language- anything but stiff!
Body language is important for vocal communication. If you’ve taken lessons from me or have read many of my post on All Things Vocal, you know how I stress this. Here’s the thing: different styles of music, different personalities of vocalists, and different venue settings require different degrees of OUTSIDE body movement. The important thing… Read More » about Performance body language- anything but stiff!
Performance is not a vocal exercise
OK, I’m going back to my novice training in golf (bless my poor husband) to bring out yet another golf/vocal parallel: There is an important difference between vocal exercises and performance. A singer must make this distinction clear to turn a performance into a heart-moving event. Vocal exercises, like other athletic skills training, do two… Read More » about Performance is not a vocal exercise
How to articulate without tensing up
Articulation. Diction. These words don’t sound very emotional, do they? Yet if you don’t define the words you speak or sing, nobody will know the emotion you want to cause them to feel. In this culture of short attention spans, rather than try to figure out what you’re almost saying, your audience may direct attention… Read More » about How to articulate without tensing up
Intention and Expectation – Bookends of Vocal Magic
Just as in any athletic endeavor (and yes, using your voice optimally IS an athletic endeavor), it makes all the difference to get your thinking right. If you intend to do it, and then expect to be able to do it, you are going to be a lot closer to actually DOING IT. If you… Read More » about Intention and Expectation – Bookends of Vocal Magic
Vocal techniques for lifting the soft palate and opening the throat
I recently received this question: “…What can I do to lift my soft palate, as well as expand my throat so it can remain effortless throughout my singing?” Here are some suggestions: First of all, you can use the ‘inner smile’, a time-tested technique which feels like the beginning of the yawn. This is not… Read More » about Vocal techniques for lifting the soft palate and opening the throat
Singing and golf
I had never played golf in my life. My husband, an avid golfer, decided this week it was time to teach me. To my surprise, I found it to be like … singing! I truly didn’t know one end of the putter from the other, but with his patience and skill I learned a great… Read More » about Singing and golf
Your vocal coach’s poke for posture
Your vocal coach is BACK!! Well, not quite… still traveling home from my wonderful vacation in St. Augustine, Florida, with my husband. Oh my, what a wonderful thing it is to be back at my precious ocean. I have been happily singing under my breath for the first time in a long time. Vocally speaking,… Read More » about Your vocal coach’s poke for posture