Singing with ACCOMPANIMENT can be tricky for some singers. If you struggle with Rhythms, make sure to listen for the DOWNBEAT in the Accompaniment. That’s the first strong beat of the measure. Look at your music to see which words fall on this strong beat to guide you. If you struggle with Pitch, there are often clues in the Accompaniment. See if you can locate your Pitch somewhere in the Accompaniment before you sing. Often the piano or another instrument will "double" your melody. This can be very helpful for staying in tune. Mostly, though, remember the Accompanist should follow YOU. You shouldn’t follow the Accompanist. Knowing these truths will help you sing with more confidence and not second-guess yourself as a musician!
Many times singers OBSESS over which register they’re using. Is it “Head Voice”? Is it “Chest”? Is it “Chest Dominant Mix”? WHAT IS IT?! Don’t let fancy vocal concepts intimidate you. Vocal Registers boil down to variances in breath flow, vocal cord closure, and resonance. There are actually an INFINITE amount of register possibilities. It’s indeed very helpful to use labels like “Chest” and “Mix”. But, be careful that you don’t obsess about these labels! Many different schools, teachers, and vocalists use different terminology. In fact, you can actually even make up your own labels: This is my “Comfy Cozy Power Register.” Or, this is my “Floaty Flexible Resonating Register.” If it helps you to understand your voice - use it!
Practice makes perfect! Right? Well, for singing perhaps it’s better to say, “Perfect practice makes skillful singers”. When practicing, focus on targeting a SPECIFIC skill and ensure that you are doing so in a healthy way and an intentional way. Just imagine if every day you practiced increasing your range and you strained and tensed your muscles to hit the high notes. You would actually be practicing BAD habits that may lead to vocal problems in the future. So, the next time you practice, focus on healthy technique and specific new skillsets - make THOSE your habits! While we may never be perfect singers, we can become “perfect” practicers!
Want a more ENGAGING speaking voice? We often think that engaging speakers simply have “confidence”, “conviction”, or "charisma." However, becoming engaging isn’t something you feel, it’s something you DO. Start by engaging your breath. All it takes is a gentle engagement from the bottom of the abdomen when you make sound. Not a squeeze or a press. But, an intentional exhalation from deep in the body. Next, engage the intensity of your sound. Be sure to not speak too softly or too forcefully. Instead, commit to what you are saying in a way that you KNOW you will be heard clearly. Finally, engage your eyes. Imagine that every word you speak emanates from a twinkle of spontaneous insight. Try these simple speaking tips and you’ll leave your listeners… ENGAGED.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to make it in the music industry is PERSPECTIVE! It’s easy to focus solely on where you want to be. But, don’t forget to look at how far you have come! When you began your singing journey you were nowhere near the vocalist that you are now. Your past self would love to be the vocalist you are today! Keep that in mind as you follow your musical pursuits. Each opportunity you are given to showcase your vocal skill, no matter how big or small, is one more step along the road towards vocal excellence and success as a musician. As you reflect on how far you've come, allow this perspective to inspire you to continue striving for what is ahead!
Give your Larynx the credit that it deserves! Your Larynx is more than just a house where your vocal folds live. Different POSITIONS of the Larynx can be used in a healthy way to produce a vast variety of vocal sounds and styles. Keep an open mind and try out laryngeal coordinations that you might not be used to. Explore a LOW Larynx to discover strong, deep, and robust sounds. Try a HIGHER Larynx to experience some softer, brighter, and thinner sounds. As long as they're done with thoughtful and conscientious technique, different Larynx positions can greatly expand our vocal horizons. Give your amazing Larynx all the credit!
BOO! No, that’s not a new vocal exercise! That’s all of us at NYVC wishing you a Happy Halloween!!! Let Halloween be a reminder to enjoy, celebrate, and explore your CREATIVITY! Singing and performing ask us to embody different characters and various aspects of our Inner Being. So, as you live inside your Halloween character - consider the connection that this has to your vocal life. What if your performances felt as enjoyable, entertaining, and effortless as playing a Halloween character? The truth is, your biggest performances shouldn’t feel much different than the freedom you feel on this holiday. It’s so easy - it’s SCARY!
We usually think of our ears as information RECEIVERS. But, really they GIVE just as much information to the voice as they get. Your ears and voice are part of the same neurological loop. So, changing what you hear changes how you sound. In fact, the voice can only produce what the ears can hear! This is known as the Tomatis Effect, named for Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a pioneer in music therapy who showed how the ear "builds, organizes, and nourishes the nervous system.” How does this apply to you? Incredible singers HEAR incredible singers! To be a top-notch vocalist, it's critical to seek out the vocalists who are pushing the boundaries of vocal limits. Instead of your ears always listening to your VOICE, it's time for your voice to listen to your EARS!
Improve with IMPROV! One of the best things you can do to improve your vocal and performance skills is to take a few classes in Improvisational Comedy. Whether you’re interested in singing, acting, or better speech - Improv is an amazing tool. In this discipline, you learn to listen and react in entirely new ways. Your Improv success lies in your ability to listen carefully and then let your voice and body LIVE in the moment. You must not overthink, hesitate, or plan. Instead, you must react spontaneously! Many singers and performers focus on great vocal technique, but lack spontaneous creativity with their musical, acting, and performance choices. Even a few basic courses in Improv can help you to be more comfortable outside your comfort zone!
Where does STYLE come from? Think about the clothes that you wear. Do you wear them because you like them? Because you think others will? Or, perhaps because you've seen others that you like wearing them? Your unique vocal style will be similar. It’s a combination of personal instincts of what sounds good and feels good coupled with the celebration of outside influences. Don't worry too much about "copying." Your interpretation will never be an exact replica of another singer. Instead, think about achieving sounds that feel good to you within those inspirations. And remember, your style can EVOLVE. Just like what you wear - you can always make subtle or large changes to your approach to suit every occasion!
Have you explored every nook and cranny of your voice? While it’s never wise to push your voice, it’s actually a great idea to occasionally explore your voice’s EXTREMES. Have you found the highest possible note in your Head Voice? What about your lowest possible note near your Vocal Fry? You also might consider volume. Experiment with your loudest and softest volumes. How about Larynx height? Have you felt the sensation of your highest and squeakiest Larynx? How about your lowest and hollowest Larynx? Knowing the extremes of your voice is one of the best ways to improve your technique and artistry. Almost all of our singing is done in the middle of all these extremes. However, understanding extremes will help you to make the more nuanced adjustments that your technique needs!
It’s time to put your Riffing skills into your SONGS! Start by taking a simple song that you know quite well. Sing it through once on the melody without changing anything. Next, sing it again - but this time see if you can add a Riff or two to some phrases. Start with two or three-note Riffs that are easy for you and go from there. Don’t feel pressured to add too many. Only add them where they feel natural. Not sure where to place them? Just think of what the LYRICS mean to you. Riffs should be an extension of words that need emphasis or emotion. The best Riffs are not “showboaty”, but are instead inspired by the lyrical content. If you practice this way, you’ll be thrilled with what a difference there is in adding a tasteful Riff or two to your songs!
How does the DISCIPLINE of practicing become the ART of performing? When preparing and rehearsing, it's all about "taking in." You must read, study, memorize, and shape every nuance of your material. You create the through-line and the journey of your character from start to finish. But, when it's time to perform, a fundamental CHANGE must take place. "Taking in" must turn into "letting go!". Before you walk on stage to perform, don’t think about all the beats you want to hit and moments you want to create. Don’t set your mind on what's going to happen (much of that is out of your control). Instead, tell yourself, "I've done the work. I have everything I need." Set your mind on trusting yourself and letting go. The moment you do this is the moment when your craft becomes your ART!
You’ve probably noticed that the ACOUSTICS of a room can change the way your voice sounds. Don’t we all sound lovely in the shower? Reverberations of sound against different materials and across varying spaces affect the way our voices resonate. If we practice in a small carpeted room every day and then go audition on a large wooden stage, we might end up confused and thrown off. We often sing differently when we perceive that our voice sounds different. The best way to combat this problem is to practice in a wide variety of settings. Monitor the vocal adjustments you make in each environment. Then, when you do find yourself in a space with poor acoustics, you’ll trust your training and you won’t overcompensate! Don’t just sing in one place. Sing EVERYWHERE!
“What nice Velar-Pharyngeal Control you have!” Wait. WHAT?! That’s the technical term for Nasal Resonance. It can give you greater flexibility, volume, and clarity while also making singing more effortless. Try pinching your nose and singing in three different ways. 1. With a LOT of buzz in your nose. 2. With NO buzz. 3. With a moderate amount of buzz. With each of these variations, try taking the pinch away and producing the same sound you achieved with the pinch. Remember, a sound that passes through the nose won’t necessarily be perceived as "nasal"! Instead, having control over the amount of Nasal Resonance you use will help boost various harmonics in your voice. Now THAT’s nice Velar-Pharyngeal Control!
Are ALLERGIES affecting your voice? Common symptoms of allergies are coughing, a runny nose, and congestion. This congestion can change or limit the way we use our vocal resonators - particularly Nasal Resonance. One solution to this problem is the use of a Neti Pot to keep the nasal cavity clean and clear. Another solution can be allergy medications. However, many allergy medications are antihistamines that have a drying effect on the mouth, throat, and vocal folds. So, the best solution possible is to learn what triggers your allergies and to avoid those circumstances whenever possible. Consult a doctor to learn what those triggers are for you. And, work with your Voice Teacher to make sure that your technique can carry you through any allergy issues you may have!