Do you know about the RELATIONSHIP between your tongue and larynx? If not, it's time to find out! Find a mirror. Release your jaw and open your mouth gently. Your tongue should rest against the bottom gums. While maintaining this position, move between the EE vowel and the AH vowel. You will, of course, notice the back of your tongue lifting on EE and lowering on AH. BUT! Place a finger on your larynx and try again. Does it move as well? Most people will notice the larynx shifting up for the "EE" and down for the "AH". If you feel a considerable amount of movement, you can gain more autonomy by trying the reverse! Deliberately try to lower your larynx as your tongue moves to "EE". Then, imagine it ascending on "AH". By not allowing your larynx and tongue to be codependent, you'll gain more control over each tool in your singing!
Add some POP to your Vocal Technique in 3 easy steps! First, focus on keeping the root of your tongue slightly elevated in the back as if you’re saying the word “key”. This creates a smaller and brighter resonance space that Pop music uses. Second, examine whether your larynx position is high or low. A Pop sound typically requires a more raised larynx in comparison to a classical or traditional sound. Third, try varying the texture of your voice between breathy, clean, and tighter vocal fold Compressions. This is a very common stylistic element among most Pop singers. Incorporating these 3 technical adjustments will go a long way in making your sound POP!
Have you ever felt like your EE or IH vowels “push” against your face more powerfully than other vowels? Part of that feeling is due to the small pathway these vowels create for your breath. Think about turning on a garden hose and then covering the end of it with your thumb. The same amount of water is coming out, but now it has a much smaller pathway to go through - so the flow gets much stronger and more pointed. When you sing small bright vowels like EE and IH, your tongue limits the exit area for your air and creates a similar effect. Don't shy away from this feeling! A smooth, strong airflow through those tiny vowels is actually what opens the floodgates for fantastically full sounds!
Appreciate not only good singers, but also MEDIOCRE ones! Did you know that studies have shown people are able to lift more weight when they are next to someone lifting just a little less? We would think it would be the opposite! As it turns out, though, we get a confidence boost when we aren’t always comparing ourselves to others with a superior skill-set. Listening to out-of-tune singers won't do the trick - the disparity is too great. However, by staying aware that there are singers who aren't quite as proficient as you actually results in BETTER singing! Remember, it’s not about judging others negatively. It’s about recognizing how far you've come on your vocal journey, rather than constantly focussing on how far you have to go. Celebrate ALL singers! Yourself included!
Studies have shown that breathing through the NOSE has many benefits - it FILTERS bacteria from the air, ASSISTS with good circulation, SLOWS the breathing rate, and IMPROVES overall lung volume. In addition, inhalations through the nose before vocalizing usually encourage Nasal Resonance to be maintained throughout the sung phrase. The only downside to Nasal Breathing is that sometimes the breaths are too slow for inhales during songs that contain quick phrases. In these instances, a DUAL nose and mouth breath is optimal. So, go ahead and take a nice, clean, and smooth breath in through the nose before you sing... whenever you've got the time!
Give your entire spine all the LOVE it deserves! Your spine is made of 33 vertebrae, starting all the way up in the center of your skull and extending all the way down below your hips. When you're warming up to sing, give your spine some TLC by doing a very slow roll-up and paying attention to each individual vertebra. Start with a few deep breaths in a low forward bend. Then, as you roll up slowly, try to feel each bone align with the one below. Be careful not to "hinge" up when you get to your shoulder blades or your neck! Spinal flexibility leads to better breathing, alignment, and freedom from tension in the larynx and neck. It’s also one of the best ways to improve your voice without even singing a note!
The singing voice is ONE-OF-A-KIND! What differentiates the vocal instrument from other musical instruments is our ability to tune and shape our RESONATORS! Altering the vocal tract can be done for purposes of dynamics, style, timbre, or efficiency on any given note or vowel. We can actively change the shape of our resonators by opening/closing the jaw, rounding/spreading the lips, lowering/raising the larynx, lowering/raising the soft palate, or by positioning the tongue in many ways. Mastering these resonance alterations is the very thing that can make your voice stand out and become ONE-OF-A-KIND!
“Sing with more resonance!” Ok, but which KIND of resonance? Often Voice Teachers are listening for Nasal Resonance in your voice. A nasally resonant voice has sharper edge, warmth, and agility - all wonderful things regardless of style. I know, I know - you don’t want to sound "nasal". However, Nasal Resonance is a completely different sound than "nasality". With your mouth closed, try gently humming a melody. Did it sound nasal to you? Probably not. Yet it was chock full of Nasal Resonance! If yours did sound "nasal", you were probably squeezing the muscles of your larynx too tightly. Try it again, this time a little softer and smoother, and MMM… Listen to that Nasal Resonance!
The singing voice is ONE-OF-A-KIND! What differentiates the vocal instrument from other musical instruments is our ability to tune and shape our RESONATORS! Altering the vocal tract can be done for purposes of dynamics, style, timbre, or efficiency on any given note or vowel. We can actively change the shape of our resonators by opening/closing the jaw, rounding/spreading the lips, lowering/raising the larynx, lowering/raising the soft palate, or by positioning the tongue in many ways. Mastering these resonance alterations is the very thing that can make your voice stand out and become ONE-OF-A-KIND!
What part of your body do you LEAD with? The way you present your body to the world has a big effect on your emotional state and your energy. Some people lead with their chests, presenting a sense of confidence and strength. Other people lead with their hips, like the swaying swaggers of Mick Jagger or Elvis Presley. Some of us lead with the tops of our heads as we walk with our faces down at the ground or our phones. When you sing, think about what part of your body is leading. Your voice may come out of your mouth and nose, but perhaps you feel the energy coming from your chest during a strong song. Or, perhaps your hips need to get involved in a sultry or jazzy song. Maybe you even lead with your eyes during highly energetic songs. Leading with different parts of your body will LEAD you to many new performance options!
Do you need a REASON to sing? No. But, if you think about it, you certainly have one. Or many! The Reasons people sing and express themselves through song are limitless. Each Reason is as unique as each person. Identifying the Reasons behind your singing is a powerful step toward becoming a True Artist. It helps you find song repertoire that speaks to you. It helps you perform from a place of authenticity since nobody in history will ever communicate through song exactly like you do. It helps you to feel grounded in yourself when the world tries to make you something other than beautiful YOU. So, every now and again, make sure you remember the REASON why you are doing this. It will guide your way. Like it always has.
“I only sing in the shower. I would join a choir, but I don’t think my bathtub can hold that many people.” HA! Ever hear that one? Most showers are made with materials that amplify sound waves. Your voice sounds better because of the resonant acoustic properties. But, you don’t actually have to be in the shower to sound good. Your HEAD is its own resonance chamber! Making adjustments to your larynx position, jaw, tongue, mouth, and soft palate will all change how your own personal resonance chamber functions. So, instead of relying on ceramic tiles - amaze yourself at what resonances you can create without the help of those resounding walls. Vocal technique is the art of making your shower portable!
Sometimes we’re not the STAR. Sometimes we perform in small groups, in choirs, as backup singers, or as a part of an ensemble in a musical. In these moments, it’s important to still give our ALL! It’s sometimes tempting to give less than our best because we think nobody will notice or that it doesn’t matter as much since we’re in a group. Yet, the reverse is true! The great Stanislavski once said, “There are no small parts, only small actors”. These wise words remind us that no matter what role we play in a performance situation, we ought to put forward our best work. This way of thinking will impact those who see and hear you perform far more than you’d think. Approaching every performance situation with full excellence cultivates a star mentality that will lead to solo and leading role opportunities! Be a star ALL the time! …even when you think nobody is watching…
HEAR what you FEEL! At NYVC, we always encourage our students to record their Voice Lessons. Listening back to these recordings is an important part of understanding how what you FEEL connects to what your listeners HEAR. When you’re practicing at home, recording is an important discipline as well. Especially if you’re developing a new skill or rehearsing a song. Once you’ve finished a song or exercise, listen back objectively and evaluate what you heard. This will help you progress faster and will make you a better self-teacher. As a bonus, when you’re listening to other singers, you'll naturally begin to understand the mechanics behind how they make their sounds as well. HEAR what you FEEL!
Having someone with you as you practice is always a good way to get feedback on your performance. But have you ever considered watching YOURSELF? Video taping yourself while you practice is an excellent way to ensure that your appearance, stage presence, facial expressions, etc. align with how you want to come across! It will also be a revelation to you as far as your vocal technique. Small things you may have never noticed that you do will become apparent, making change so much easier! Visualizing your performance from an audience’s viewpoint will also give you a fresh perspective from which to analyze your presentation. So grab your phone or webcam.... and lights, camera, PRACTICE!
Have you ever tried singing a song you learned many years ago? It’s no easy task! Why? Because the muscle memory of how you first sang the song will still be there - even though your technique has grown. The good news is that there are strategies for “relearning” old songs and making them new. Try starting with the last page and practice the phrases in backwards order. Or, try singing the notes without any words or reciting the words without notes. Experiment singing in a silly “character voice” or two before returning to normal. Sing the song in a few different keys or in a few different tempos. However you choose to dust off the vocal cobwebs, you can find success in RE-discovering a new “old favorite”!
The INTERNET has leveled the playing field for any aspiring artist to get their music heard! But with so many voices out there, how do you get noticed? Record companies are finding new artists in places like Spotify, Apple Music, Sound Cloud, and YouTube. But getting a record contract requires you to have followers! Watch for the pattern of bands who top these online charts and end up with record deals. Determine which audience could be your target audience. Post new songs on the top websites every month, build anticipation and hype, and respond to your listener’s feedback. Today’s Music Industry asks you to participate more than ever in your own success! You’re already on the internet now. So, time to get to work on your music career!
Do you have a hard time achieving VIBRATO? If so, you are not alone. While some singers discover their Vibrato naturally, many others need time and practice to develop it. The BEST way to learn Vibrato is to UNDERSTAND it. Vibrato is a small pitch oscillation that can be created with the right Vocal Agility, Breath Support, and Resonance. The next time you practice, you might want to try some agility patterns, pitch bends, and quick staccato exercises. All of these things promote the kind of agility that is necessary for developing Vibrato. It may not come immediately, but understanding that you CAN and SHOULD work on your Vibrato will help you to discover it before too long!
Do you ever listen to other singers and say to yourself "I DON’T sound like that” or "I WON’T be that good" or “I CAN’T sing”? It's important to remember that the artists you admire had to start somewhere. A great singing voice isn’t something people are born with. Every singer at a certain point in their life makes an inner decision of “I CAN sing”. This decision translates into a variety of action steps. Practicing every day. Studying with a Voice Teacher. Listening to new artists and analyzing their work. Seizing opportunities to perform. Making a full commitment to vocal excellence. These action steps are what truly make singers great. But, the hardest part is making that inner decision. Some people make this decision at an early age. Some make it later in life. But, the truth is, if you believe you CAN… you WILL
LEGATO means to sing "in a smooth, flowing manner, without breaks between notes”. While “choppier”, more consonant-driven articulation is common in many contemporary styles, Legato is a crucial skill for ALL singers to master. To develop Legato, try using lip or tongue trills on a song or phrase. If you notice that your trill is uneven or stops at certain places in a phrase, then make adjustments with your breath pressure until it’s consistent. After the Legato line becomes easy with the trill, try to maintain the same sensation while vocalizing the lyrics. See if you can add the consonants back without them being performed too harshly or aggressively. In time, you’ll be able to use crisp and percussive diction while your sound remains supported by a smooth and Legato airflow!
Have you ever heard of a “Baseline Scope”? It’s essentially a Vocal Fold checkup that singers get BEFORE something goes wrong. It’s unfortunately quite common for singers to wait until they have a problem with their voice before forming a professional relationship with an ENT or Laryngologist. But, how will you know what your vocal folds should look like if you’ve never seen them when you’re healthy? This is why most Voice Doctors strongly recommend having a Baseline Scope on file. Especially if you plan to have a long career as a singer. So, if you’re serious about long-term vocal health, start forming a team that is bigger than just you and your Voice Teacher. Start building a professional relationship with a trusted Laryngologist who understands the needs of professional vocalists. The best way to start is to schedule your Baseline Scope!
Want to expand your Repertoire AND your vocal abilities? Then, give yourself a Repertoire CHALLENGE! Make a list of Five different STYLES. Find one song per style and learn those songs to the best of your ability. Next, make a list of Five ARTISTS within your favorite style. Find and learn a song by each artist. After this, make a list of Five SONGS that you’ve always wanted to sing, but never have. Lastly, make a list of Five songs that you’ve always been too AFRAID to try. By following this simple Repertoire Challenge you will reinvent your Repertoire. In the process, you will grow vocally and stylistically and will be pleased to see how something as simple as song selection can make you a better artist! HIGH FIVE!
Do you know how your body achieves RELAXATION? It’s through a slow, steady exhalation! Think about someone who is experiencing a panic attack. Do they need to take a deep breath? No! They actually have TOO MUCH air in their lungs. What they need to do is to exhale their breath slowly and steadily. This goes for any time we need to relax. All we need to do is take a moment to release our air in a gentle stream. So, perhaps now you understand why singing has so many health benefits and makes you feel so great! It’s because all good singing is done on a slow, steady exhale! Singing makes you RELAX better… and relaxing makes you SING better! Aaaaah...
Your voice has many registers that can be DRAGGED to change the quality of your sound. For instance, you can drag a register DOWN from above to create a “headier” Mix or UP from below to create a “beltier” Mix. Both are necessary skills. BUT being able to honor every register in your voice is just as important. Think of it this way - there is an overlap of notes that are playable by both a violin and a cello. A cello can play quite high, but this puts the strings under more stress than is sustainable for a long time. Likewise, a violin can play some low notes that align with those of a cello, but the quality is far less rich than the cello. Honoring each register would be the equivalent of playing each instrument in the sweet spot of its range. So, don’t always play your cello too high or your violin too low. As you vocalize, spend the majority of time in the sweet spot!
Practicing Riffs SLOWLY can be embarrassing. If you’re just starting off, your Riffs will be a far cry from the rabbit-like speed of Mariah or Stevie. Should you just give up then? No way! In the proverbial tradition of being a patient tortoise - going SLOW is the best way to succeed! Fast Riffing is all about "letting go." Yet, usually when we Riff too quickly, we tighten up and attempt to “hang on” to every little note. In order to let go, your body needs to understand the coordination required first. Going at a tortoise-like pace can help your mind and vocal cords to understand what needs to happen. Try your Riffs at PAINFULLY slow speeds and then gradually increase that speed each day for a week. On the 7th day, let go! The control and precision will be there! Slow and steady wins the race!
LISTEN. Do you hear it? Music is all around you all the time! The car horns honking. The front door squeaking. The neighbor’s dog barking. The crunch of your lunch in your mouth. The cacophonic cadence of every conversation careening up and down. You don’t have to be practicing your singing to be practicing your LISTENING. Opening up your ears can be a truly spiritual and artistic experience. All the sounds that we hear are just vibrations of air. Yet, these vibrations have the power to make us think, feel, act, react, and love. Don’t limit your aural life to just your singing and music alone. Give thanks for the fact that each and every moment we can lift ourselves to Higher Vibrations. All we have to do is to open up our ears and our hearts. The exact answers you’ve been praying for could be in the air right now! LISTEN.
Let the Larynx do it’s thing! Many times our bodies know what to do without us getting in the way. When we sing high notes our vocal folds usually need to do three things: 1. STRETCH 2. CONNECT 3. BALANCE breath pressure. When these three things happen, the Larynx TILTS for high notes. The Larynx knows how to do this naturally, but we tend to interfere by raising the Larynx, squeezing the vocal cords, or pushing the breath. There are few things in life more glorious than an intelligent singer. However, sometimes our brains can get in the way of the amazing tasks that our bodies can do naturally. So, next time you go for those high notes: Let your larynx do it’s thing!
Think of your larynx like an elevator. How many levels does it stop at? Maybe you feel like it has two stops: up and down. Maybe there are three: up, down, and neutral. What if there were four? Five? Ten? There are no physical limits to how many levels you can imagine this larynx elevator stopping at. Try to visualize as many as are helpful or useful to you in developing new sounds and greater control. If you're struggling with larynx position in a song, experiment with adding a few levels to your elevator or taking a few away. Or, maybe you've been jumping levels - not moving smoothly from one level to the next. Experiment with these visualizations until you arrive at where your voice feels freest! Next stop - vocal control!
What is RESONANCE? Resonance is “sound waves vibrating within a space”. Those spaces are the pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and mouth. Yet, Resonance can often cause sensations and vibrations in other parts of the body too. Simple spoken exercises can help you locate these vibrations. Find Chest Voice by calling out a strong “YO!”. You'll likely feel a slight vibration in the chest. Nasal Resonance can be felt by humming on “MM”. You should feel vibrations behind your nose. To experience Head Voice, make a high-pitched owl sound on “HOO”. You should feel slight vibrations in various places in your head. Your Resonance is beautiful. Hopefully, you FEEL that this is true!
Having trouble singing or performing in a new style? Maybe it’s time to stop being a singer for a moment and instead become a SCHOLAR! Go to the style’s source. Learn about the history of the style. Study the pioneers who took it from its roots to its current form. Understand the historical and cultural context that contributed to its rise and development. Listen to as many original recordings and live performances as you can. Try to connect what you hear to what you're learning. Music has a long and fascinating history that can help you embody styles outside your comfort zone. Smart singers make successful singers!