This one’s easy: Because every time you speak, you use your voice! When I was on the road as an artist, I used to try to get interviews scheduled for AFTER my performance instead of before, because I noticed that using my speaking voice negatively affected my singing voice. Now I talk all day and… Read More » about Why a singer needs a better speaking voice
Vocal Health
Singing causes tissue adaptation!
When we sing, our tissues and muscles change. This is all the more reason to practice with as much perfection of form as possible on your vocal exercises. There is a classical vocal coach named HIH Darrison Noto Bentheim Murat who commented on a forum I was following that veteran opera singers have what is known as “frontal… Read More » about Singing causes tissue adaptation!
TMJ issues affecting the voice
I got a great question emailed to me recently concerning TMJ issues and the voice. Here is the email: Thank you for writing this blog and all the great information you provide. I have a vocal problem, and I can’t seem to find an answer. Hope you can help. I have been singing all my… Read More » about TMJ issues affecting the voice
Ways to mend a pesky vocal break – part 2
This is a continuation of my post series on the subject of vocal breaks. I had a great question emailed (thanks, Nav!) to me today about the jaw’s function in singing. Oddly enough, incorrect jaw actions are among the things that will cause and/or exacerbate a vocal break. Vocal register breaks, as indicated in my… Read More » about Ways to mend a pesky vocal break – part 2
Chronic breathiness or hoarseness? Suspect vocal damage!
I was eating lunch when my one of my new students’ mother called. “Hello”, I said. “Well, you were right”, she said. Sadly, I had guessed I would be right. It wasn’t the first time I’d correctly suspected vocal damage. She had taken her little actress daughter to the doctor after my suggestion at her… Read More » about Chronic breathiness or hoarseness? Suspect vocal damage!
Vocal Aerobics- the importance of physical exercise
I have a new understanding to offer you for the phrase “Move it or Lose it!” Think of the word “it” as meaning “voice”. If you sing according to Power, Path & Performance principles, you’ll notice you don’t get vocally tired. You’ll also notice that you do get physically tired! That’s because singing correctly will… Read More » about Vocal Aerobics- the importance of physical exercise
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
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?
Should singers lift weights?
Lifting weights can be helpful or hurtful to the voice; it all depends on how and when you do it. How weight lifting can help? If done right: Physical stamina— just like any other physical workout, it builds strength and endurance, increases blood flow and in general is good for physical health – always good… Read More » about Should singers lift weights?
Voice lessons… How many should you take?
So you decide to take voice lessons . How many should you take? The short answer: as many as it takes to get you where you want to be. The longer answer: it depends: If you are looking for a vocal assessment as to how you are singing right now: One. At this assessment lesson… Read More » about Voice lessons… How many should you take?