When learning to Riff, it’s easy to think that it’s all about fast moving notes. Yet, there are actually many other nuanced changes that occur during Riffs. Changing between VOCAL REGISTERS during a Riff is an example of this. A great way to practice this difficult and subtle vocal skill is to try yodeling exercises! Move back and forth between Chest Voice and Falsetto/Head Voice while singing an “EE” vowel on a 1-6-1-6-1 interval. Master this exercise at a slow tempo and then increase the speed. Soon the yodel skill will become so natural for you that you can easily incorporate it into your Riffs. Being able to change registers while Riffing will add a new ear-catching dimension to your Riffs!
Did you know that pianos are technically not “in tune”? According to the laws of Acoustics, the intervals that we know and love - octaves, fifths, thirds, etc. - should all be a little closer together than they are. Instruments used to be tuned this way in the past. But, because the mathematics of acoustics are based on one particular “root” note, you would only be able to play your instrument in the key of that root note without everything sounding strange. In the 18th century, the music community decided to shift to an equal tempered or well-tempered scale, compromising each interval a little bit so that musicians could play in any key without re-tuning their whole instrument. So, if you’re struggling with your tuning while you sing, just remember that the piano is too!
Have you ever been asked to ACT your song more? Perhaps you resisted this because you didn’t want to come across in a phony way. If so, you were right to not want to “overact”. So much of the emotion is already taken care of by the music when we sing. So, the best way to ACT often doesn’t feel like “'acting” at all. In fact, some of the most truthful performances come from deep within ourselves. One strategy is to find something in the song that relates directly to you. Then deliver the lyrics in a way that resonates with your life, your experiences, and your unique view of the world. Not only will this give you an irresistible authenticity, but it also will instantly make any song your OWN.
Your RIBS and your BELLY are the keys to great breathing for singing and life. However, many singers hold a lot of tension in these areas without even realizing it. Are your ribs not expanding properly when you take a breath? Then try some side stretches! Reach your arms to the sky and then reach them from side-to-side while breathing the ribcage open. Is your belly tight when you inhale or are your abs overly developed? Then try a backbend or a nice Cobra pose! As you lengthen your abdominal region, breathe open your belly. These stretches not only feel fantastic, but they also help your breathing to become everything you want it to be - deep, effortless, and natural!
Ask yourself an important question: “What does it mean to be a True Artist?” Your answer may dictate your future. Does it mean being famous? Does it mean making money? Does it mean supporting your colleagues? Does it mean loving your craft? Does it mean cherishing your vocal journey every single day of your life regardless of what people say? Does it mean finding your Joy? Or, something else? There’s nothing right or wrong about any question you ask or answer you give. Just remember, the True Artist that you dream to be, may become a REALITY. Dreams can come true. So, make sure that what your soul TRULY wants lines up with the kind of Artist that you desire to become. If you’re clear, you may look in the mirror one day and say - YES. This is exactly what I had hoped to do with my vocal gifts!
Dress for success in your auditions! But, when selecting your perfect audition outfit, be aware that certain clothes can actually interfere with your singing. Avoid tight-fitting pieces that can restrict the expansion of your abdomen or ribcage and hinder your breathing. Also, don’t forget about your shoes. Changes in heel height can alter your body’s ideal alignment and your technique. To avoid being surprised on audition day, try rehearsing in the shoes and outfit you plan to wear. Finally, make sure that your outfit makes you feel confident in who you are. Wear something that makes you stand out, but also stays true to the person you are and the message you want to send to the world through your art! Look good... sing GREAT!
Do you have EYE TENSION when you perform? It sounds silly because we often only think about things like jaw, neck, and tongue tension. Yet, have you ever seen singers performing and looking like ZOMBIES or deer caught in the headlights? These are singers who have not freed their gaze and allowed us to see into those proverbial “windows to the soul”. Luckily, it’s an easy fix! Don’t think so hard about how you sound or how you look. These thoughts will cause your eyes to lock up. Instead, simply SEE the room you are in when you sing. Take in the objects and experience the environment visually and naturally. This focus takes the pressure off of you and instantly makes you look more “at home” during your performance. You’ve done all the work. Now it's time to SEE and to BE!
What’s your FAVORITE Vowel? Chances are, when you vocalize, you feel like a CHAMP on certain Vowels when you sing High Notes. Odds are - those MAGIC Vowels are “EE” as in “Geese” or “OO” as in “Choose”. There's an explanation for this! "EE" and "OO" are what are known as Closed Vowels. Closed Vowels employ more Head Voice than Chest Voice. This makes it easier to sing higher. Most likely you find a wide Open Vowel like “AH” as in “MAMA” much more difficult to sing on higher notes. That’s because without modification, Open Vowels employ too much Chest Voice to be sung at too high of a pitch. If you struggle with this, try closing the “AH” to an “AW” as in “Hawk”, or “AHWN” as in “Honk” to make your "AH" more High Note-friendly. Soon, you'll be welcoming Open Vowels into the ranks as some of your new FAVORITE vowels!
How is your Repertoire DIET? Is it balanced and healthy or is it only vocal Junk Food? The songs we sing have a direct effect on our vocal growth, coordination, and health. If, for example, we only ate food that we enjoyed the first time we tasted it, our diets would probably consist of chocolate ice cream and pizza. But, we would miss out on healthy foods that we can later come to love and appreciate for their benefits. In the same way, it’s important that you sing the songs you LOVE. But, it’s also important to sing the songs that you NEED. Some songs can be advantageous for our vocal growth while others hinder our development. Consider what qualities your voice is missing and be sure to find Repertoire that benefits you in those areas. Strike a balanced Repertoire DIET and you’ll grow big and strong vocally!
Singing is a SPORT! When you work on your technique - it’s like hitting the GYM. Great technique exercises are designed to work specific muscle groups and coordinations that make you a seasoned vocal athlete. When you work on your songs - that’s like playing the SPORT itself. Each song and style will have particular rules and obstacles for you to learn and overcome to have success. When you go to perform or audition - that’s GAME DAY! Show up in uniform feeling good about how hard you’ve worked “off the field”. Leave your nerves, self-doubt, and insecurity back in the locker room. Take in your game-face and your confident, winning attitude knowing that your sweating days are already behind you. Go get 'em Champ! Singing is a SPORT!
Use your inhale to SET UP your vowels! Each vowel creates a unique pattern of resonance and a unique airflow pathway. So why not breathe in the shape of the vowel you're about to sing? This saves you time and energy because when you're ready to exhale, your instrument is already in the perfect position. You won't have to use that precious moment between inhaling and exhaling to get your entire vocal apparatus into the right position. Practice this on all different vowels by making the shape of the vowel first, then inhaling, and then singing. When it comes to breathing and resonance - it always helps to be prepared!
Can a singer sound DARK and also NASAL at the same time? Why YES! And, in fact, this skill is transformative for the voice. Normally, when we sing with nasal resonance, the Larynx has a tendency to rise and the sound tends to brighten. However, it is possible to keep a low Larynx while maintaining nasal resonance. To find this coordination, place one hand gently on your Larynx to feel that it’s dropping as you make a deep, dark, and rich sound. Place the other hand gently on your nostrils to feel the vibrations. If you feel both at the same time, then you’ve successfully blended these resonances! Although this blend may sound a bit bizarre to you at first, you are now experiencing your voice's MAXIMUM resonance capabilities! Congratulations!