Why I Love to Sing?

            I’ve been talking a lot about Vocal Ranges, Vocal Registers, and Vocal Types.  Now, I want to put a little more “flesh” on those bones by providing you with some more definitions describing Vocal QUALITIES.  i’m not talking about whether a voice is “good” or “bad” but being able to describe and understand different, specific aspects of a voice that make it distinctive from any other voice.  Each of these characteristics can be learned, practiced, and utilized in order to create unique sounds for explicit purposes.  Years ago, my husband and I worked for the Pioneer Corporation who produced thousands of karaoke tracks.  I’m not talking about singing karaoke but creating the “sound-alike” tracks which people then mimic and sing to.  I once had to imitate 17 different voices in days, voices from Ella Fitzgerald to Dolly Parton to Whitney Houston.  In order to facilitate this feat,...

         Okay, I PROMISE this entire post is all about Vocal types with no more interruptions.   For ANY of these types, don’t forget you still HAVE to warm up appropriately.   It’s also very important to realize that just because you are PRIMARILY one Vocal Type, this doesn’t mean you can’t also sing in other categories as well.   For the purposes of choral music, voices and music are divided by only four, distinct Vocal Types:   Soprano; Alto; Tenor; and Bass.   Within these parts, there are occasionally further subdivisions but these are not referred to as Contralto, Lyric or Dramatic, Spinto, or any other specific subgroup title.   Choral music is much more about vocal ranges within a piece of music, as opposed to Vocal Types.   As a performer from college years on, I had a large range, which meant I could sing Soprano, Alto, or Tenor in choir, kind of go wherever I was needed.   It can even b...

    Those of you that study with me know I’m all about building a “toolbox” for your voice.  If you’ve been reading the earlier blog posts, you should already have lots of “Breathing Tools”, “Vocal First Aid Tools”, “Vocal Register Tools”, “Self-Esteem Tools”, “Vocal Practice Tools”…LOTS of different and varied devices, tricks, tips, exercises, and disciplines.  NOW, we’re going to talk about “Types of Voices” and their potential, approximate ranges.  I will start at the LOWEST vocal type and move up.  Voice classifications are only always used for Classical and Choral music, but they are very useful for: choosing song keys; general information; understanding Vocal Color and Texture; and understanding your voice with regard to other voices, as well as the different ways to produce those sounds.     First, let’s look at a few definitions:  tessitura; timbre; vocal weight; and passaggio.   These are very specific terms that ...

         How is it possible to prepare for a performance EMOTIONALLY?   All the voice lessons, breathing practice, articulation exercises, WHATEVER, will NOT prepare a performer ENTIRELY for any performance.   The Brain is THE most powerful and essential organ in our bodies.   We tend to believe the Brain is only for THINKING but, not true; it tells your Lungs they need air, your Circulatory System to circulate blood, whatever commands you need for moving muscles or swallowing food or anything else.   It ALSO controls your emotions BUT you can learn to control, re-direct, or, at least, temper the effects of those psychological conditions.   Our minds tell us we should be nervous or frightened in front of an audience.   Our throats seize up; our legs won’t work; sometimes, we can’t remember lyrics or think to even breathe.   Therefore, you need to make a plan for PROACTIVELY dealing with your EMOTIONAL st...

         All of us need to access outside resources for our skills now and again.   Below I have included a number of links to some music theory websites with worksheets, and different forms of explanation and illustration; links to find free chords for songs and free sheet music; and links to acting monologue sites.   Hopefully, these will be useful and practical resources for you to aid in your auditioning and performing for the future.   See what you think: Music Theory Links http://www.musictheory.net/exercises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDWc7XiG5n4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZr5k1_9Dds http://www.musictechteacher.com/music_worksheets/worksheets.htm http://www.eartrainingandimprov.com/resources/music-theory-worksheets/ Music and Acting Links https://www.ultimate-guitar.com This has FREE chords for hundreds/thousands of songs with transposition ability.   I...

         Welcome to the second installment of Shoulder, Neck, Upper Back, Chest, and Facial exercises.   These exercises are a combination of standing, sitting, table, and floor activities, all designed to help you unlock, locked muscles and tension, as well as stretching and opening these areas without any medication or excessive pain.   Check out these exercises and give them a try.   OBVIOUSLY, there are a LOT of exercises between this post and the last one.   You don’t need to do them all.   My advice to you, though, is to try as many as possible, doing several at a time and, then, next time, try a few different ones.   None of these are overly demanding and you definitely need to listen to your own body to avoid pushing anything too far.   Here we go: •             Cross-Body Arm Stretch - Stand up straight and cross your right ...