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!
Are you starting to get ANNOYED at one passage, one phrase, or even one note that’s causing you trouble? Switch up your routine! If you’ve practiced that pesky passage a lot on its own, then try singing the song all the way through. Let it be imperfect for a little bit and have some fun. Even if it's unfinished, you can still perform it beautifully. If you still feel frustrated, take a few days off from it or take it out of your repertoire book for a while. Otherwise, you may end up stuck in a rut where you always associate a great song with feelings of frustration and defeat. Great songs can take time. Don’t let any song that you love become condemned as a source of unhappiness! It may still be a JOY one day soon!
Many singers wish to work on HARMONIZING. However, it can be difficult to learn to Harmonize just by singing along with songs on the radio. One helpful and fun exercise is to record yourself singing four SATB vocal parts and stacking the Harmonies. Not only will this challenge your Harmony and musical skills, but it will exercise different vocal registers in which you may not commonly sing. Plus, it's always delightful to hear yourself singing four parts at once! If you're new to singing Harmonies, try singing the same vocal line in different octaves first. From there, try finding harmonies that are intervals of a 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th away from the melody. Soon you’ll enjoy all the benefits of becoming a one-person Choir!
Let your Vocal Registers be DIFFERENT! We often focus so hard on blending our Vocal Registration so that it’s smooth, even, and consistent. This is positive, of course, but sometimes it slows our progress. It’s actually important FIRST to allow the differences between two vocal registers to be very obvious and distinct. Not only is this often stylistically desirable, but it has technical benefits as well. Smoother transitions often come by EMBRACING the shift between registers. The first step is to become comfortable with the fact that your voice really IS making a change. If your Chest Voice is strong and your Head Voice is weak at first, then that’s okay. Only by practicing BOTH of those registers will you be able to go smoothly between them. So, embrace the difference now and you’ll start to see a difference later!
Artists are people who love to think OUTSIDE the box! But, what if we jump back IN for a second? Being systematic, deliberate, and intentional in the way we approach practices, rehearsals, or performances can be a game-changer for our vocal life. First, identify the exact TASK you're about to undertake (exercise, song, etc.). Second, define the GOAL of that task. Thirdly, ask yourself HOW this goal will be achieved through techniques, repetition, or experimentation. And finally, MONITOR the progress of your goal as you work and stay focussed on moving toward it. All of this sounds pretty simple. And, kind of boring too. However, the lack of a strategic approach often robs artists of the improvement and success they're looking for. So, if your vocal progress is a bit slow these days... Get back IN the box!
Happy Hanukkah from the staff at New York Vocal Coaching! Hanukkah celebrates a Miracle of endurance. One day's worth of oil miraculously lasted for eight days! We sometimes accomplish similar feats of endurance - exhausted bodies and minds power us through difficult weeks to reach important deadlines. Or, a tired voice manages to last through an extra performance or even several performances. What do you think makes these Miracles possible? Good technique? A rush of adrenaline? Confidence and positive energy? Or something else? No matter the cause, take time this Hanukkah to celebrate the personal Miracles you've accomplished. Maybe even light a candle of gratitude for the BRIGHTEST Miracles in your life!
Merry Christmas from all of us at NYVC! Today is a day of GIVING. At NYVC, we feel that every singer is truly a GIFT. We are so thankful for you and your beautiful voices from the bottom of our hearts. As you spend time with your family, take a moment to appreciate the gifts that have come your way this year. Also, consider all the gifts that you plan to give to others in the year to come. Most of all, never forget that your voice is a gift. Music is a gift. YOU are a gift. May your Christmas be blessed with love, singing, and most importantly... JOY!
It’s Christmas Eve. This evening is all about anticipation. The anticipation of a whole new era of Love, Peace, and Joy. As you softly sing “Silent Night… Holy Night…”, discover how your singing voice actually can be a prayer. A prayer for all those that you love. A prayer for a more peaceful world. A prayer for Joy to surround you with every breath that you breathe and every song that you sing. As your voice becomes a prayer, may you anticipate all the blessings that await your future. And may you offer your humble and prayerful song with hope and thanks in your heart. After all. It’s Christmas Eve.