An “ONSET” is a vocal term that refers to the beginning of a vocal phrase or sung sound. A common habit of singers is to start vowels with a harsh Onset, known as a “glottal onset” or “glottal attack”. This is not wrong or harmful in itself. The problem is doing it too often or too harshly. The first step in changing this is to become aware that it’s a habit. Record yourself and listen to your phrases that begin with vowels. If harsh Onsets are a problem, try placing a gentle inaudible “H” in front of the word or phrase. This begins your vocalization in a much smoother way. There are times when you might choose a harsh glottal attack as a stylistic device, like in a rock song where you’re seeking an edgier sound. Even still, you’ll benefit from knowing how to do a balanced Onset, as you’ll be able to finely tune your vocal fold compression and breath!
Should you breathe through your mouth or through your nose when you sing? Great question! The answer is BOTH! Nose breaths are superior, but they're often too slow for quick phrases. Mouth breaths can be drying, but are capable of being taken in more quickly. So, the ideal inhalation will involve both your nose and your mouth simultaneously. We exhale through both our nose and mouth when we sing. So, it makes sense to prepare the inhale breath this way. On occasion, interludes in songs give you the time to take a nice calming breath through the nose. But, typically we don’t have that kind of time. This makes the Nose + Mouth Breath the winning combo!
Are you going through a PHASE? Most great artists in history have gone through different creative phases. For example, Picasso had his famous Blue Period. The Beatles had their Psychedelic phase. Creating Art is a lifelong journey and so it’s natural to gravitate toward certain styles or habits as you explore and experiment. If your heart is drawing you to a particular style, singer, or artist - follow it! Spend a few weeks or months - or even years - learning Michael Jackson’s songs, exploring your range, or singing your favorite Jazz saxophone solos. A deeper understanding of any one element of your artistry makes your whole artistry all the better. So, don’t just do what you think you’re “supposed” to do as a singer. Go with your own creative flow. Embrace your PHASE!
KNOWLEDGE is power! That’s why the most important part of the Audition process comes before you even walk through the door! You want to be able to enter an audition room thinking "I KNOW this." This knowing feeling comes from having done everything in your power beforehand. Make sure you've practiced your material inside and out. This will ground you psychologically and physically, allowing you to release nervous tension, calm your breath, and support your sound. A calm mind and a relaxed breathing system are big keys to expressing yourself freely and artistically. So, make sure you KNOW your stuff. If you do, the casting panel will also KNOW exactly what you are capable of!
Riffs can be intimidating upon first listening! Elite singers make them seem so easy that it’s easy to give up before you even try. The amount of aural information happening in a short amount of time is what makes it feel impossible to learn a new Riff. Start by focusing on the RHYTHM. Clap or snap the Riff’s rhythm along with the recording. It’s okay if you need to do this several times. Count how many notes there are in the rhythmic pattern. This allows you to isolate timing without having to focus on notes, vowels, consonants, inflection, and stylistic choices all at once. Add these other components one by one after you’ve got the beat. Breaking things down strategically will help you make difficult riffs much more manageable!
GENERALITIES are commonly thought to be an actor’s worst curse. But, this problem plagues singers as well. Great actors learn to play “actions” and “objectives” instead of broad and general emotions. Actors often score their scripts, writing their objectives in the margins next to each of their lines. Music and singing heighten emotions even further which can cause performances to become generic. So, try the same trick for each line of your song! Instead of writing "happy" or "depressed", try active verbs with each line: "to celebrate", "to chastise", "to boast". Then, think about how you would accomplish each action vocally. This will give you much more SPECIFICITY and detail in both your acting and your singing!
Often we are told to practice our singing in rooms with excellent acoustics. Singing in the shower or in a "live" room is an empowering feeling! It feels as though we can create incredible sounds effortlessly. This is indeed a great strategy for gaining confidence and boldness. However, don’t overlook spending at least some of your time practicing in a "dead" space with poor acoustics. You can think of this as "high altitude training" in which you are putting yourself at a deliberate disadvantage. While it's important not to push too hard in this environment, it’s helpful to get your voice accustomed to different acoustic scenarios. This will benefit you greatly in the recording studio and also in audition rooms or performance spaces that muffle your best intentions. Practice in many different environments so you are ready for success in any situation!
In singing, it’s not right or wrong that matters - it’s what’s right for YOU! Anyone who thinks there's only one right way to sing need only open their eyes (and ears) to the plenty of “wrong” singers who have achieved great success. How many musicians’ greatest hits were originally rejected for not fitting the mold? How many amazing vocalists stood out because they weren’t doing what they were “supposed” to do? Even singers who use their voices in unhealthy or potentially harmful ways can achieve great joy or professional success. So, while we always want to strive for the healthiest and most sustainable technique possible, we also have to understand that there is something far bigger than what’s “proper”. How you choose to make art is your choice and yours alone. Your artistry, your soul, and your voice are never right or wrong - only right or wrong for YOU!
How do you know when the moment has arrived? That moment when you have become a TRUE Artist? It is the moment when nobody knows exactly how you do what you do. Not even you. You’ve learned to channel something deep within you that is precious and indefinable. Your constant devotion to your technique, your craft, and to all the details is still there. But, you leave it at the door and your hard work WORKS for itself! It's time. Time to stop thinking too hard. Time to not be able to put things into words. Time to not know what your next move is going to be. Time to let go completely. Time to be… the TRUE Artist your soul knows that you are! The moment can be now.
In the female voice, there is a major Passaggio (or transition) that occurs between D5-G5. Males sing these notes less often, but will also notice the same phenomenon with these pitches. At this part of the voice, singers usually benefit from a slight opening of the mouth if they are seeking a stronger sound. This opening aids the strength of First Formant (F1) resonance. Either a slight jaw opening or a small widening of the lips typically helps this resonance to intensify. In general, we don’t want to open up the mouth or spread the lips to sing higher notes. Instead, we should learn to sing them with a neutral mouth first! But afterwards, if you're seeking more power through this particular Passaggio, try letting Acoustics work for you!
| Did you originally start singing because you thought one day you’d have the perfect voice? No. You started because you LOVE singing. Did you practice today because you planned to get frustrated? No. You practiced because you CARE deeply about your voice. Did you go to that audition so that you’d hate yourself if you didn’t get the part? No. You went because you thought THIS might be your next project. Did you share your gift so that you could become an idol? No. You shared your gift so that you could be a BLESSING to your listeners. Did you become a successful singer so you could obliterate the competition? No. You became successful because you LOVE singing. Just like singing has always loved YOU. |
Don’t collapse at the FINISH line! One of the most common vocal habits is to lose energy at the ends of phrases. This can happen during vocal exercises and also during songwork. Typically, it causes the singer to get vocally weak, to go flat, or to cut notes short near phrase endings. Be aware of this tendency and instead "fight the good fight"! INCREASE your vocal energy at the ends of phrases! ADD to your breath intensity, your vocal strength, your acting intention, your pitch awareness, and your determination just at the moment when it all wants to fall apart. You’ll soon notice your technique improving dramatically and your songs taking on a whole new level of life and vibrancy! From the start - all the way to the FINISH!
From all of us at New York Vocal Coaching - we wish you a JOYous New Year! May your New Year be filled with happiness, music, love, and amazing vocal achievements. Reflect on your vocal journey and embrace the developments you’ve made this past year. Listen back to your recordings, recall all the songs you’ve sung, and celebrate your vocal discoveries. Be sure to share your list of vocal goals for the New Year with your Voice Teacher or with a family member or friend who supports your singing. We hope that you are proud of yourself because we are so proud of you! Get excited for 2023 - the best singing you’ve ever had! Here’s to a blessed New Year of Making A Joyful Noise!