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!
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
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
The “two-fingers-at-larynx” vocal recording trick
I had an interesting studio trick occur to me tonight. I had a late background vocal session and I am TIRED. I had a phrase that I needed to sing in a high “middle” voice (head voice wouldn’t have been the right blend). Normally that’s no problem if I use “studio hands”, but tonight I… Read More » about The “two-fingers-at-larynx” vocal recording trick
Vocal training – Who needs it?
How do you know if you need vocal training? To help you decide, I put the following questions together: Breath – can you get enough breath in; can you control that breath when it is directed at your vocal cords? Open throat – Do you EVER experience throat tightness resulting in a feeling of vocal… Read More » about Vocal training – Who needs it?
Vocal importance of Spinal position and movement
The position and movement of the spine makes an enormous difference in the breath support and breath control issues of a vocalist, as well as resulting tone, pitch, range and degree of vocal strain. The position of the spine: If a habit of slouching or being a guarded postural stance (chest closed in) is changed… Read More » about Vocal importance of Spinal position and movement