Pesky, dreaded, dratted vocal breaks. At one point, I had one of the worst. Here is the problem as defined by Wikipedea, …The frequency of vibration of the vocal folds is determined by their length, tension, and mass. As pitch rises, the vocal folds are lengthened, tension increases, and their thickness decreases. In other words,… Read More » about Ways to mend a pesky vocal break – part 1
Vocal Technique
Balancing strength in vocal muscle sets
If you, like so many popular genre singers, have trouble straining in your upper chest My contemporary (non-classical) students have found astounding vocal improvement by using exercises I give them to strengthen their head voice. That’s because of the need to balance the muscle groups that work the head and chest voices… and if one… Read More » about Balancing strength in vocal muscle sets
Pitch problems in the recording studio
I recently received an emailed question about pitch problems while recording vocals that I’d like to share here. The question:Dear Judy,I’ve just started recording some songs and have run into a problem. When I sing my vocals, I am off pitch. I play in a band and have for a few years and we seem… Read More » about Pitch problems in the recording studio
A tip for feeling correct breath support and control
I’m always looking for simplified ways to quickly help you experience correct vocal technique. Sometimes the mind understands but the body feels spastic! The “feeling” of correct breath support and breath control can be elusive. You must at the same time apply the power of the breath AND control that power. If you are familiar… Read More » about A tip for feeling correct breath support and control
Performance body language- anything but stiff!
Body language is important for vocal communication. If you’ve taken lessons from me or have read many of my post on All Things Vocal, you know how I stress this. Here’s the thing: different styles of music, different personalities of vocalists, and different venue settings require different degrees of OUTSIDE body movement. The important thing… Read More » about Performance body language- anything but stiff!
How to articulate without tensing up
Articulation. Diction. These words don’t sound very emotional, do they? Yet if you don’t define the words you speak or sing, nobody will know the emotion you want to cause them to feel. In this culture of short attention spans, rather than try to figure out what you’re almost saying, your audience may direct attention… Read More » about How to articulate without tensing up
Vocal techniques for lifting the soft palate and opening the throat
I recently received this question: “…What can I do to lift my soft palate, as well as expand my throat so it can remain effortless throughout my singing?” Here are some suggestions: First of all, you can use the ‘inner smile’, a time-tested technique which feels like the beginning of the yawn. This is not… Read More » about Vocal techniques for lifting the soft palate and opening the throat
Singing and golf
I had never played golf in my life. My husband, an avid golfer, decided this week it was time to teach me. To my surprise, I found it to be like … singing! I truly didn’t know one end of the putter from the other, but with his patience and skill I learned a great… Read More » about Singing and golf
Your vocal coach’s poke for posture
Your vocal coach is BACK!! Well, not quite… still traveling home from my wonderful vacation in St. Augustine, Florida, with my husband. Oh my, what a wonderful thing it is to be back at my precious ocean. I have been happily singing under my breath for the first time in a long time. Vocally speaking,… Read More » about Your vocal coach’s poke for posture
The “two-fingers-at-larynx” vocal recording trick
I had an interesting studio trick occur to me tonight. I had a late background vocal session and I am TIRED. I had a phrase that I needed to sing in a high “middle” voice (head voice wouldn’t have been the right blend). Normally that’s no problem if I use “studio hands”, but tonight I… Read More » about The “two-fingers-at-larynx” vocal recording trick