Will the Music Industry decide your destiny or will YOU decide? Answering this question will likely determine whether you have what it takes to make it as a professional artist. Many performers have a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to their career. They go into the industry hoping someone will notice them, discover them, or “make them” an artist. In contrast, there are artists who already KNOW that they are artists - regardless of whether they ever get the jobs they want. They don’t need the industry’s approval. Their singing and their craft are just “who they are”. Ironically, these artists who do it for the pure LOVE of their craft, without worrying about the results, usually have the greatest success. So, dig deep and consider the artist you really are in your heart and soul. If you know this, you won’t have to find your destiny. Your destiny will find YOU!
Give your Larynx a BREAK! The Larynx’s primary function is as a safety valve. It’s designed to protect the lungs from being invaded by food, drink, and foreign objects. It also seals off the airway to assist with the act of heavy lifting and other physical tasks. During singing, it’s vital that we override these anatomical functions. If we don't, the Larynx and vocal folds become too gripped and squeezed for healthy singing. Instead, we must allow air to flow through the Larynx at a small and steady rate. This allows the vocal folds to vibrate freely and make sound. Trying to sing without this steady airflow is the equivalent of driving a car with the BRAKE on! While braking is a natural function, it’s time to let a little air through. Give your Larynx a BREAK!
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!
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!
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!
Preparing for the accompanist is key...literally! Making sure your sheet music is in the right key when you hand it to your accompanist is very important. Have your sheet music easily accessible in a binder on double-sided paper, and ensure your cut is clearly marked and easy to read. The easier it is for the accompanist to read and play your music, the smoother your audition will go! It's also common practice to give your accompanist the tempo you want your song to be played at and to confirm the song’s starting and ending point when you hand them your music. Well prepared materials set you up for audition success!
16 BARS?! Yep. Often that’s all you get in an audition. Thus, showing who you are and what you can do in a short time can be DAUNTING! One strategy for success is to immediately highlight the dramatic CIRCUMSTANCES in your song. Choose a song that invites you to live freely and truthfully inside the lyric right from the start. Avoid cuts that don’t make sense without the entire context of the song. Also, stay away from cuts that have lyrics that are too general or that begin in confusing places. Your character’s objective, intentions, and opinions should be clear right from the first phrase. While 16-Bar auditions are meant to feature the voice, singers who create a dramatic world in a few seconds are the ones who leave us wanting far more than… 16-BARS!
Have you ever APOLOGIZED before singing? "Sorry! I just got this song..." "Sorry! I have a cold..." "Sorry! I'm new to singing..." For casting teams, it is common to hear apologies from performer after performer. Everyone's circumstance, in their own view, is unique! "I had to run here from the train..." "I only got the material last night...". Do your friends behind the casting table a favor and be a COMMITTED auditioner. Even if you're not at your best, treat the room like you own it. Enter in a calm way, take your time when speaking with your accompanist, enjoy a deep breath, and give it your all. It is tempting to think self-deprecation is charming in an audition room, but relaxed, pleasant confidence is so much more appealing! Great auditioning means never having to say you’re sorry!
Want to know of a singer that you should NEVER listen to? The singer who is singing before you at an audition! If they are good, it may make you feel inferior. If they are bad, it may give you a false sense of security. Either way, getting yourself into “competition mode” by listening in will stifle your creativity and prevent you from truly being yourself. Auditions aren’t actually competitions. Instead, they are simply opportunities for the casting team to find the ideal fit for their project - and for YOU to be that person. Sometimes someone “better than you” will be cast. Sometimes someone “worse than you” will be cast. Either way, this is misguided thinking. Don’t look side-to-side at others. Look AHEAD... toward the wonderful audition you are about to give.
Less is MORE! When it comes to having confidence in our performances, LESS goes much further than we think! When we don’t feel confident, we tend to do MORE. We look around a lot, we gesture with hands and arms, or we pace. But movement is about quality, not quantity. Trust that your acting and singing choices can speak for themselves. Even if you don’t feel that trust yet, you can fake it by lingering a bit. Keep your eyes where they are for at least 3 seconds before moving them. Move your hands 5 times slower than you think they should move. Don’t move your feet more than once per verse. Take a long pause physically somewhere in the song. Your audience will start to feel the importance and the GRAVITY of your acting choices. And that’s what confident performing is all about! … more or less…
AUDITION!!! This word has the potential to make any singer nervous! But, instead of getting nervous, practice simulating every step of the audition. This can be done with your Vocal Coach or in the comfort of your own home. Practice walking into the room, taking your place, introducing yourself and saying what you will be singing. Hand your music to the pianist, calmly explain your music, and set your tempo. Take a breath and get into your character. Simulating the Audition as if it’s REAL helps prepare the mind and the voice for the big day. You may even try inviting a “casting panel” of a few friends or colleagues. Too often we rehearse all the details of the song, but then neglect the Audition experience. So, practice these details, so that you can be excited when you hear the word… AUDITION!!!
Need to make a last-minute demo recording for an audition or an agent? This is becoming a VERY common request these days. So, don’t let technology and environment spoil your chances at success! After you’ve prepared your audition, carefully consider the device you're using and the acoustics of the room. Are you using a phone, camera, computer, or microphone? Any of them can work. But, make sure they capture your sound in the most advantageous way. Are you recording in a kitchen, bathroom, studio, or practice room? All spaces will have different acoustics and will feature your voice in different ways. Don’t rush these acoustic details in your excitement to submit your audition. Instead, experiment until you find which combinations make you sound best. Let acoustics work FOR you, not against you!
Ever try breathing with a "360-Degree Breath"? We usually think about breathing in and out. But what about side-to-side and front-to-back? Try it! Place one of your hands on your side at the base of your ribcage and the other hand on your belly right below the sternum. Inhale and think of breathing downward and outward. Did you feel your ribcage expand? Did you feel your stomach expand? Excellent! If you felt your chest rise – try it again. Expanding 360 Degrees allows our inhalation to be performed with the most efficient musculature. In turn, this sets up our exhalation and our singing for the broadest range of possibilities. All the way ‘round!
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!
Sing for the King! Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King used his VOICE to inspire millions of people and to expand the possibility of equal treatment for all peoples regardless of race. A gifted orator, he is an example of how the voice can stay with us long after a person has passed. “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last!”. This still rings as clearly today as the day it was spoken. So, be inspired by Dr. King and embrace the power that your words and your voice have. And, if you are feeling grateful today - Sing for the King!
Have you considered the ACTING values of your song? It’s easy to go through the motions while singing. However, in order to make a true connection with your audience, you must understand the dramatic nuances of your song. Musical aspects come first of course - the melody, rhythm, and stylistic choices. But, consider the CIRCUMSTANCES next. WHO are you singing to? What do you WANT in the song? WHERE does the song take place? What are the specific BEATS (or changes of thought) that the character has throughout the song? What do those unfamiliar words MEAN? If you hang onto both the musical and acting aspects of your songs, then you’ll be thrilled when your audience hangs onto your every word!
Have you had an absolutely fantastic performance where you just NAILED it? It's exhilarating, full of nuance, and seems to happen effortlessly! Have you ever then tried to repeat that performance? Chances are, the second time around it was far less satisfying and felt a bit forced. Remember - even when we sing the same songs or say the same words- there are no two performances that are exactly alike. This is actually the Joy of performing. But to stay consistent, try to repeat the actions that led to the successful performance. Pay attention to your impulses. Stay emotionally available. Dare to thrive in the present moment. There will never be two that are the same, but you'll soon find your best performances happening more often than ever!
Did you know that when you sing a note, you’re actually singing MANY notes all at once? It’s true! The note you sing is called the "Fundamental Frequency". It’s the lowest note present in the sound. But, there are many other higher notes present that are called “Overtones”. Depending on how we shape our vocal tract (jaw, tongue, soft palate, lips, and larynx), certain Overtones become boosted and others become dampened. Vocal tone and timbre is largely affected by which Overtones are brought forth. Modifying vowels and making thoughtful adjustments to your vocal tract is how to achieve a clearer, louder, or more aesthetically pleasing sound. Imagine the infinite notes you can sing without ever changing pitch!
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!