Rehearsal for vocal performance can accomplish little- or can prepare you for the vocal event you want to have next time your voice hits the stage. Here are the two ways you need to practice… Technically: learning the melody, lyrics, rhythms and structure of the song while practicing with perfect form; working out trouble spots… Read More » about Two Ways to Rehearse for Best Vocal Performance
Live Performance
What To Eat Before You Sing
NOTE: The audio player should appear below, if not, please click on the title of this post and go online to hear. Available also on iTunes , Google Play, TuneIn Radio, Android apps What you eat before you sing can make all the difference to your performance. It can be confusing to know that many people can eat chips,… Read More » about What To Eat Before You Sing
The Hands Of A Vocalist
The hands of a singer (or a speaker) make an interesting study for me. Personally, if you were to make me freeze my hands in place, I don’t think I could sing- or talk! Years ago, a studio engineer in Memphis told me to stand perfectly still at the mic. This guy was NOT a… Read More » about The Hands Of A Vocalist
Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
photo courtesy of Ron Oates I just got back from singing background vocals for the Jim Wilkes Show at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas. Our performance went very well…Jim truly rocked the house…and the all star band from Nashville (with horns!) was fabulous. We then had the extreme pleasure of watching our headliner…one… Read More » about Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
Should You Play Your Instrument In The Trouble Spot?
So. You are having trouble singing and playing a particular part of a song at the same time. Many times this is caused by the particular rhythm pattern you need to play being different from the rhythm pattern you need to sing. When you perform insecure about getting both right, both your playing and your… Read More » about Should You Play Your Instrument In The Trouble Spot?
17 Performance Tips I Learned The Hard Way
There is no substitute for experience. I’ve done every one of these things wrong… that’s how I know what to tell YOU about giving a great performance… Sing full voice when rehearsing/preparing for a gig, don’t just do vocal exercises. You have to have not just correct form, but also sheer vocal stamina to perform… Read More » about 17 Performance Tips I Learned The Hard Way
Vocal Performance: Different Venues, Different Body Language
I got a question that has to do with live performance techniques. The person wanted to know if these change for different venues, audience types and situations. Short answer… yes. Be aware of your surroundings… find the fine line between what makes the audience uncomfortable and feel energized/engaged by you. Remember singing is, at the… Read More » about Vocal Performance: Different Venues, Different Body Language
Songwriter Voice vs Performance Voice… Do You Know The Difference?
I work with a lot of songwriters, and I love helping them deliver their songs through their voices authentically. To do that, you have to know the difference between your songwriter and your performer voices- which are NOT the same thing. Here’s the short answer: Songwriter voice is internal. Performance voice is external. What do… Read More » about Songwriter Voice vs Performance Voice… Do You Know The Difference?
Singing From The Soul
There is a subtle psychological shift you can make to take your next performance out of the ordinary and make it leave a memory in your listener’s heart. I call it “singing from the soul” instead of just from the head. Let me use an old familiar tune to illustrate. How many times have you… Read More » about Singing From The Soul
The #1 Vocal Mistake Made By Musicians In Live Performance
Performers come up in my list of favorites based on one thing: Do they get my emotional attention? There is a reason that Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne and John Mayer don’t move me in live performance like Bono, Sting and Mat Kearney do. The difference is surely NOT in brilliant, creative musicianship.. all six are… Read More » about The #1 Vocal Mistake Made By Musicians In Live Performance