Alicia Yantz, photo by Peter Rodman If you are wanting to increase your usable vocal range without straining your voice, here’s the best way: Strengthen your middle or mixed voice! This is also known as bridging or covering, mixing your registers without a vocal break so that you seem to have one connected register rather… Read More » about How To Increase Your Vocal Range Without Strain
Vocal Health
Stomach bug and have to sing?
Oh my, there’s nothing like the stomach bug to destroy your breath support/control for singing. Hard to be stuck on the ‘throne’, not to mention it’s really disconcerting to have to throw up all over your bandmates/ audience! This just happened to my poor fellow background singer for a live show we were doing last… Read More » about Stomach bug and have to sing?
Case Studies: Applying Power, Path & Performance Vocal Training
The value of any vocal training is in the gain of vocal ability and the resolution of vocal problems as a result of the lessons. I thought I’d give a few case studies of the three-pronged synergy of Power, Path and Performance vocal training. There are many unique variations of each case, of course, because… Read More » about Case Studies: Applying Power, Path & Performance Vocal Training
When You Wake Up With Thick Vocal Cords
There are lots of things blooming in this area of the world (Nashville). Beautiful, but for a singer sensitive to those particular flowers, scary. What do you do when you greet the morning sounding like a frog? Well, because many allergy and cold medications dry the throat and vocal cords out, I recommend trying these… Read More » about When You Wake Up With Thick Vocal Cords
For Your Vocal Stamina, Physically Train Your Core
It’s morning and I’m looking at a physical training session in my schedule today. Why do I do this to myself? Partly for my VOICE! My recommendation to all singers and speakers is that you do some physical activity which strengthens your body’s core muscles. Without this strength, you cannot apply enough breath support and… Read More » about For Your Vocal Stamina, Physically Train Your Core
Tips For Singing With A Jacked Up Throat
Vocal strain is unfortunately a common issue for active live performers who are not doing good, consistent vocal training. “Jason” emailed me this question: I think that I overused my voice last week. I had a couple of extra gigs I picked up and am just not used to the extra singing and now my… Read More » about Tips For Singing With A Jacked Up Throat
Regaining Voice After Time Off From Singing
I have had many singers come to me wondering if it was possible to get their voices back after not singing much… sometimes not performing for years. In short… unless you have some organic damage or disease, and most of the time even then… you can indeed recover your voice. Whether it’s been a few… Read More » about Regaining Voice After Time Off From Singing
Why Studio Singing Is Hard For Guitar Players
Singing at a studio mic can be frustrating for guitar players. I will illustrate with a true story: When I first moved to Nashville many years ago, I was singing backgrounds in a “simul-session”. These sessions were where the musicians, background vocalists and lead singers recorded together at the same time. Like live TV- if… Read More » about Why Studio Singing Is Hard For Guitar Players
Is Your Voice Too Breathy? Here’s a simple test (very simple)
I have noticed something in many of my students who are overcoming breathiness that I’d like to pass on to you. If you are practicing correctly to eliminate this voice-stealing and possibly damaging habit (speaking or singing too breathy), you will notice this: Your throat will be much less dry so you will find yourself… Read More » about Is Your Voice Too Breathy? Here’s a simple test (very simple)
Recovering Your Voice After Respiratory Illness
Recognize the steaming pot of water plus towel over head strategy? It helps! NOTE: You may wish to visit this updated post which also offers a free download of recovery vocal exercises: Laryngitis Scare – How To Get Your Voice Back Tiz the season to be sneezing! Sometimes, even with our best preventative efforts, we… Read More » about Recovering Your Voice After Respiratory Illness