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, Stitcher, Spotify, Android apps These days the song lyric count per bar norm is – more often than not – as many as one can possibly fit in…. Read More » about Tempo, Key, Articulation & Why They Matter For Singing a Gazillion Lyrics
Studio Recording
Studio Headphones: Tips For Best Use
Here’s a video about recording with headphones half-off Recording vocals usually necessitates hearing something to sing to. In the very old days, singers recorded with speakers positioned in the vocal booth or studio room so as not to bleed monitor sound onto the vocal track. Well, maybe not SO old… Actually, I used this approach… Read More » about Studio Headphones: Tips For Best Use
Singing Low Notes at a Recording Mic: The Ninja Technique
This will be short but powerful post with a professional tip I have learned to sing my lowest notes in the vocal booth. For the first time, I’m including a little impromptu video from my webcam to illustrate. Simply put your hand on your sternum over your heart and gently press. It should cause your… Read More » about Singing Low Notes at a Recording Mic: The Ninja Technique
Work-For-Hire Jingle Singing
My staff singers’ group in the 70’s! (I’m second from the right) I got a couple of great questions this week from a recording artist/stage performer about doing work-for-hire as a singer. This artist has been getting a lot of calls to do jingles. He asks: If I sign a ‘work -for-hire’ agreement, does… Read More » about Work-For-Hire Jingle Singing
Common Mistakes Producers/Engineers Make That Sabotage Singers
Emil Bishaw set up in the vocal booth A producer or audio engineer who produces vocals can make or break a singer’s performance. Anything that affects the following areas will affect the studio singer’s vocal ability: The Breath The Throat The Ear The Zone The Vocal Cords Here are some common mistakes I see production… Read More » about Common Mistakes Producers/Engineers Make That Sabotage Singers
Can You Record Vocals Using Studio Speakers Instead of Headphones?
I got an email from Matthew Alexander, who purchased my “Singing In The Studio” course. He gave me some great feedback on the training (thank you, Matthew!). And he asked a question about using monitor speakers instead of headphones when recording vocals. Here is his review, and his question: Hi Judy — I wanted you… Read More » about Can You Record Vocals Using Studio Speakers Instead of Headphones?
11 Ways to Sabotage Studio Vocals
Look scary? It can be… or not! Whether you are a seasoned recording session singer or new to the studio, you need to know how to defeat the following sneaky saboteurs to your vocal success. This is, of course, if your aim is to create vocal magic and not settle for mediocrity. 1. Don’t… Read More » about 11 Ways to Sabotage Studio Vocals
Demo Lead Vocals: Can They Be Released?
I was asked this great question by a relatively new session singer who is starting to get some demo work: If I sing a demo and get paid up front and then it ends up getting used (with my vocal on it) for commercial purposes, do I have any right to any more more money?… Read More » about Demo Lead Vocals: Can They Be Released?
Should You Do Your Own Background Vocals?
Thom Flora and Judy Rodman singing bgvs Doing your own background vocals on your recording project can be a very good idea, or can sabotage your project. Here are two big factors that should be considered as you make the decision whether to sing your own background vocals (bgvs) or to hire other singers: The Recording Budget-… Read More » about Should You Do Your Own Background Vocals?
Headphones and Cue Boxes
Hey all… I’m doing a series of videos giving tips from my vocal training course “Singing In The Studio”. This one deals with how to wear headphones and gives a special tip on a cue box setting you should know about. Enjoy!