Depression is not something that can be easily summed up and cured. Oh that it could. This short three part series can only stir the conversation, and I’m glad it has. Deep, chronic depression is debilitating life-threatening and hope must be found. In this post I’ll share some sources that may be of help. First… Read More » about Musicians and Depression: Going Deep
Mindset
Musicians and Depression: Triggers That Start The Downward Spiral
Depression, as I said in my first post, can be caused by multiple causes. In this post I’m going to talk about three types of triggers that can begin a downward spiral in the brain. A high in your musical career. Strange but true, just on the other side of a significant accomplishment in our… Read More » about Musicians and Depression: Triggers That Start The Downward Spiral
The Blues: Musicians and Depression
Being highly creative is a double edged sword. Gifted musicians are prone to periods of depression and “the real blues”. In fact, from my experience and observations, I would suggest that many if not most musicians go through a low period of life that they barely survive. We have to take the good with the… Read More » about The Blues: Musicians and Depression
Singers: Bored With Your Song? How To Make It Fresh
Songs you sing over and over again can get boring. One of the best wishes I can give an artist is: I hope that song is such a hit you get sick of singing it, haha! Actually, this can be a problem. I got an email from a rock artist about this very thing… in… Read More » about Singers: Bored With Your Song? How To Make It Fresh
No Vocal Competition with Vocal Uniqueness
I have a unique slant on what performance is. This may surprise you in this day of gladiator-style vocal competition. You can quote me: The best voice comes not from competition with othervoices but from a pursuit of its own excellence. I say there is no competition with uniqueness. The REASON we sing will be… Read More » about No Vocal Competition with Vocal Uniqueness
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!
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
Finding Your Voice – how it can help psychologically
The human voice communicates from the inside out. As a vocal coach, I have discovered that when I help someone “find their voice”- the full instrument – this is often accompanied by a fullness and wholeness in the human psyche. Many times it is psychological blocks that keep the voice small, thin, strained and weak…. Read More » about Finding Your Voice – how it can help psychologically
Vocal contests… how to “win”
I did a favor for Wynne Adams, a friend and business associate of mine, this week that I don’t normally like to do: I judged her talent contest: “Galaxy of Stars Premier Talent Search” Yep. I know, I tell you how much I hate em. But I agreed because, unlike too many talent shows these… Read More » about Vocal contests… how to “win”