I get lots of questions about songwriting. This is, of course your inner voice, and so the subject belongs on “All Things Vocal” (don’t cha think?) I intend to write a 3-part series on songwriting, beginning with my thoughts on writing great LYRICS. In my humble opinion, no matter what the musical genre, a well-written… Read More » about Lyric tips for songwriters
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
How to get work as a background singer
I still love doing bgvs… for over 40 yrs now! I get asked this question a lot… How does one go about getting started if they are interested in singing bgv’s (background vocals)?” My answer: To sing background vocals you need- vocal training to be able to perform the feats of what I call a “stunt… Read More » about How to get work as a background singer
The beauty of backing off vocal pressure
I just wrote with a wonderful new pop artist, Skye Dyer, today. She was suffering from an allergy attack, with the resulting swelling of the vocal cords. As I watched her sing our song for a worktape cd we made, I noticed something she did to accomplish a good vocal in spite of her compromised… Read More » about The beauty of backing off vocal pressure
Pitch problems in the recording studio
I recently received an emailed question about pitch problems while recording vocals that I’d like to share here. The question:Dear Judy,I’ve just started recording some songs and have run into a problem. When I sing my vocals, I am off pitch. I play in a band and have for a few years and we seem… Read More » about Pitch problems in the recording studio
Teachers: Does Your Speaking Voice Communicate?
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?
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