Archive for the ‘Singing Exercises’ Category
|SPRING TRAINING FOR SINGERS
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
They're not waving. They're stretching!
NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE, YOU NEED ONGOING TRAINING & COACHING
Having just returned from yet another month of Major League Baseball Spring Training in FL I am again reminded of this: We all need on-going training, no matter how good we are. In fact, it was the big name superstars that were the first on the field before every game with their trainers. And these guys were already partially warmed up and in extremely good shape.
We, singers need to take our craft just as seriously. We need to stop being satisfied with just acceptable singing and push to be all we can be. Singing up to your potential is more satisfying in every way. Plus, it makes you more valuable to those you sing with and those who hear you. That being said, consider these training opportunities:
GOOD TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
ANOTHER DALLAS AREA WORKSHOP MAY 12, 2012 9:00-Noon
Due to the success of our last Online Video Workshop at the Voice Kitchen in Plano TX we’re doing it again! I’ll be live in our Brentwood TN studio connected to the Voice Kitchen video studio. This class is limited to the first 15 who sign up and is a great way to get small group training at an exceptional price. There are also two slots remaining for 30 minute one-on-one sessions that afternoon.
To sign up go to voicekitchen.com or call Jill at 469-383-8885.
VOCAL COACH PACKAGES – Physical product or Download.
If you’ve visited the Vocal Coach Online Store Recently you know we are constantly offering new packages and bundles and special pricing. Being able to master the foundations in the convenience of your own home, when it works for you is just part of what Vocal Coach is all about. You can download Vocal Coach training CD’s in a matter of minutes and be on your way to better singing.
FACE-TO-FACE PERSONAL TRAINING
Online training is getting more and more popular. It allows us (you and me) to see and hear each other without anyone having to drive or fly anywhere. You’re at home; I’m in my studio. If you have Internet and a webcam on your computer you’re good to go! Check out details by clicking here
Hope to see you soon in an Online session.
Chris
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, performance training, singing lessons, voice lessons
Posted in Singing and Voice Lessons, Singing Exercises, Uncategorized, Vocal Coach Workshops, Vocal Training & Practice Helps | No Comments »
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF VOCAL PRACTICE
Monday, March 12th, 2012
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VOCAL PRACTICE
Your Body Soul & Spirit are involved when you use your voice. None of the three can be force-fed, and all are more receptive and effective when you take a few minutes to prepare your practice and rehearsal times.
As You Prepare to Practice Consider These Principles
- Being casual about practice and rehearsal may lead to performance casualties.
- Practice makes permanent, so don’t practice using wrong technique.
- Muscles have memory, so think “mechanics” until things become more natural.
- You are more likely to reach your goals if you have some. Make a plan before you begin. Write it down!
- You are a vocal athlete and have physical limits. Athletes who never learn to warm up, work smart and cool down have more injuries and shorter careers. It’s the same for singers.
How Long To Practice?
You need the right quality and quantity of time. For a normal vocal practice session, allow 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half. If you’re doing a lot of non-vocal, mental work (thinking through gestures, expression, lip-syncing etc.), you can go longer as long as you remain focused. When you stop making positive progress it’s time to stop. Be sensitive to your physical voice as well as what you are accomplishing . . . nor not accomplishing.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals, as apposed to working technique, may take much longer, especially when others are involved. The key is to go into it warmed up and prepared and pace the use of your voice.
When Working With Vocal Coach Training Materials
If you have the Singer series, you can get tips from the Getting Started CD on how to most effectively work through it. Whether you have the series or a variety of other CD’s the key is to decide what you want to accomplish. If you’re building or reinforcing the foundations start with Complete Breathing, Warm-Up, Tone and Expanding Your Range. Spend some time in the introductory teaching to get in the right mindset. Take notes and replay sections that jump out at you. Then, move on to the exercises, repeating as necessary until your mind and mechanism both “get it.”
Don’t be in a rush, or expect to suddenly have it all working. As all the parts learn to work together, it will be well worth the investment in time and effort. Use the form below as a practice tracker.
VOCAL WORKOUT TRACKER FORM
Copy/Paste the Workout Tracker into Word or Pages and print as many copies as you need. It will help you track what’s working and what’s not and make you a smart singer.
Name:_______________________Date:_____________________
Objectives/goals for this session: (Technique goals, songs to work on etc.) Use as much space as you need.
Reflecttions On The Session: Take all the room you need:
- What worked as planned, what is getting better/easier and what is still an issue? (Include questions, thoughts etc. so you know the areas in which you need more information etc.
- Did you end up using different materials or songs that you originally planned on?
- Are you encouraged or frustrated? Describe.
As you see patterns emerging you will know where to focus and where you may need extra help.
Have questions or comments? Let me know at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal training, voice training
Posted in From the Coach, Singing and Voice Lessons, Singing Exercises, Soloist, Teaching Teens To Sing, Vocal Training & Practice Helps | No Comments »
What Is The Lip-Trill or Bubble Exercise? & Dallas area, here we come.
Monday, November 7th, 2011
THE LIP-TRILL MYSTERY SOLVED (with Audio Demonstration)!
Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of questions regarding one of the most powerful vocal exercises any singer or speaker can do: THE LIP-TRILL, BUBBLE or MOTOR exercise.
Before you listen to the audio link below prepare your mind with these thoughts:
1. The lip-trill is done naturally by all babies and toddlers. Yes, YOU did it when you were younger!
2. It brings an awareness of the many parts of the face and head that are involved when you speak and sing.
3. It is the safest way to venture into your highest notes without straining or pushing.
4. It helps the body produce the right lubrication for the leading edges of the vocal folds.
5. It serves as a natural decongestant since it helps vibrate loose any thick mucus in the sinuses and nasal passages.
6. This exercise is so freeing you may literally open up entire new areas of your voice.
How important is the Lip-Trill? I have all my students sing their songs on the lip-trill sound to discover how the song SHOULD FEEL when they sing it.
CLICK HERE: Lip Trill Demo by Vocal Coach Chris Beatty
DO YOU LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR DALLAS/PLANO?
Has Your Voice Had A Tune-Up Lately?
Join us Saturday, November 12 from 9:00-Noon for a live, interactive Vocal Coach Workshop.
- LIMITED TO 15 STUDENTS.
- LIVE VIDEO FEED BETWEEN CHRIS BEATTY IN THE VOCAL COACH STUDIO IN TN & YOU IN THE VOICE KITCHEN STUDIO IN PLANO.
- A WONDERFUL AND INEXPENSIVE WAY TO GET THE PERSONAL ATTENTION YOU NEED TO BE YOUR BEST.
Please click here for more details and to sign up: Vocal Coach Workshop at the Voice Kitchen, Dallas.
The voice Kitchen is located at: 7005 Chase Oaks Blvd., Suite 250, Plano, TX 75025
Have Questions? Just call Jill at 469-383-8885
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, Lip Trill Exercise, singing lessons, vocal training, Vocal Warm-ups, Vocal Workshop, vocalcoach.com, voice lessons
Posted in Choir Directors, Singing Exercises, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Teaching Teens To Sing, Tone, Uncategorized, Vocal Coach Audios, Vocal Coach Workshops, Vocal Range, Warm-Ups | No Comments »
HOW TO REGAIN LOW NOTES AFTER SINGING HIGH ONES
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
Question from a Blog Reader: Both my daughter and I have a problem: After we sing for a time in our highest range (we’re both sopranos), we can no longer reach our lower notes. Is there something we’re doing wrong? Thanks.
Vocal Coach Answer: This is a very, very common problem and I’ve got some solutions I think you’ll like.
Common Scenario: You “kind of” warm up . . . though not all the time . . . and even then often while doing other things. As you begin a rehearsal, or performance your voice gets stronger. Because most songs don’t start on their highest notes, everything continues to feel good . . . for a while. Then it’s time to move into some higher notes for a while AND THEN SUDDENLY sing some lower notes. The same notes that were strong and easy when you started. How hard could that be?
Plenty hard if you don’t regularly exercise through your full range, from top to bottom. And the more casual you are about maintaining your voice the more likely you will encounter this situation. Does the above scenario describe your experience? If so, a great solution can be easily explained.
Solution:
First Some Background
Understand that there are 19 muscles busily adjusting so that just the right length and thickness of the vocal folds (vocal cords) are able to vibrate. As the sub-glottal breath comes up from the lungs, the vibrating leading edges of the folds produce a specific pitch, or frequency. Faster vibrations result in a higher pitch; slower vibrations, a lower pitch. The many adjustments that make this all happen can be quite effortless and automatic if, and only if you have trained and prepared your voice. It’s all about muscle memory and what your voice has memorized, be it good, or bad.
Here’s Your Course of Action
- Review your own concept and process of warming up your voice. If you’ve been too casual about it you can change that.
- Determine to never do much singing without first warming up. Even if you’re singing in the shower or the car, a few minutes of humming and lip-trills can go a long way. Often, the biggest offenders are trained singers who manage to “get away with” no warm-ups. But, it will catch up, and there is danger of slowly wearing away your vocal health without even knowing it . . . until it’s too late. An obvious parallel is the trained athlete. The good ones always, warm and stretch the muscles to minimize the risk of injury and maximize the performance potential. It’s no different for singers. Either you are treating your voice well, or you’re not. The proof is in how well, and how consistently your voice performs.
- Schedule times to warm-up and workout your voice. Be creative, but find a time and place that allows you to focus and analyze the feedback you’re getting from your voice. Just singing doesn’t make you a better singer.
- Plan your warm-ups. In addition to the many helpful tips on this site and at vocalcoach.com try this pattern: Start in a comfortable “speaking” range, humming five-tone scales on a light Hooo. Start going up by half or whole steps. Then, come back down to where you started. Next, go lower, then back to the starting range, back up, down to the starting area, down lower, etc. The goal is to always exercise both extremes of your range every time you warm up. Just preparing the higher range can leave you vulnerable when those lower notes are needed, and it’s unhealthy for the vocal mechanism. Another athletic parallel: Good physical trainers always have you work both the biceps and triceps, not just one or the other. They also have you strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. It’s the only way to have a structurally sound and functional body.
- Respect your voice and it will always be there.
- Never sing harder or higher than your voice is ready for.
- Use technology. Carry warm-up CD’s in your car or on your phone or iPod.
- Anticipate the particular challenges of the songs you’ll be singing and prepare for those challenges. That means not only systematic warm-ups, but also getting enough rest, eating well and getting some exercise. Remember: You are a vocal athlete.
You now have one more reason to care for your voice. As you do, you and your listeners will hear the results and you will be a happy singer.
Let me know your thoughts or questions in the “comments” section below.
Chris Beatty
Tags: chris beatty, singing lessons, singing low notes, vocal coach, vocal lessons, vocal training, vocal warmups, vocalcoach.com, worship leader
Posted in From the Coach, Performance, Singing Exercises, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Vocal Range, Voice Fatigue and Strain, Warm-Ups, Worship Team | 3 Comments »
Don’t Forfeit Your Own Voice By Just Imitating Others!
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Don’t Forfeit Your Own Voice By Just Imitating Others!
If you never take the time and effort to discover your own best vocal sound you may well forfeit, and be deprived of ever knowing your full vocal potential. Here are some thoughts and steps to help you keep growing and be your best.
We Learn By Imitation
It is true that we learn to speak by imitation. Everything from tone quality to diction and accent will reflect those you were around during your vocally formative years. But, you are not limited to how you began. Any performer who has taken singing or acting classes realizes the tremendous potential to expand and fine-tune the vocal instrument.
There Are Limitations, But Not That Many
That being said, there are limits to what any vocalist can do, depending on the anatomy and structure of the individual. But, few of us come close to maximizing the potential that’s just waiting to happen. A modern day example of that is demonstrated in the American Idol TV show. It is common to see a mediocre singer, with good potential suddenly come alive and really communicate. How does this happen?
They are challenged, coached and rehearsed by professionals in a focused environment. They are also forced to experience new styles and genres. Some, that they may not even relate to. The result? They have the opportunity to try new things, push their abilities beyond the comfort zone and grow as artists and communicators.
Here Are Some Steps To Help You Reach Your Potential
1. Open Your Mind and Ears. Get out of the mental rut that says, “This is just how I sound.” Change that to, “This is how I have sounded, but there’s probably much, much more I can do.” Start listening to some other songs and styles within your comfort zone (for now) and sing along. If you never allow your voice to try something new you will live in a vocal and stylistic rut.
2. Be Creative and Daring Alone. Become as uninhibited as a child in using not only your voice, but also your face, arms and entire body to act out the song. Go overboard, exaggerating everything just to experience the potential. Will you need to dial that back a little in real performance? Maybe, but probably not as much as you first think. Full, honest, meaningful expression is what you owe to your listener.
3. Be Creative and Daring In Front of Others. Find a few people with some performance experience and ask them to be your audience. Let them know you are striving to expand your vocal and physical expression and get their feedback. But remember that even they should not limit your road to experimentation.
4. Use Neutral Tools. Mirrors and video feedback, using anything from a video camera, computer or iPhone can all be helpful. And, if you’re not already doing it consider some form of systematic training. That can be in the form of a few key CD’s like Complete Breathing, Warm-up & Tone to keep you on track. Comprehensive sets like Vocal Coach Singer include full training principles and exercises, journals and a guidebook to help you track your progress and make meaningful adjustments as you go. You may also find a good local teacher or coach as well as classes at a community college.
There are lots of ways to learn, but do something. Don’t forfeit your best for what just happens to be there now. Be all you can be. It’s much more satisfying for both you and the listener.
Please Share. I’d love to know what has, and has not helped you maximize your vocal gift. Comment here, or email me at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc
Tags: american idol, chris beatty, singing lessons, singing your best, vocal coach, vocal coaching
Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, Kids and Teens, Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Singing Exercises, Teaching Teens To Sing, Tips Tailored for You, Worship Team | 2 Comments »
WHO IS CONTROLLING YOUR VOICE? YOU, OR IT?
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Do you control your voice, or does it control you? An odd question? Perhaps, but I know many a singer who’s happiness with life is linked to whether their voice is working well, or not on any given day. And many of these same singers are doing absolutely nothing to build vocal foundations that result in a predictable, stable vocal experience.
In other words, they’re treating the voice as a mysterious, sometimes-it’s-there, sometimes-it’s-not instrument, and that never works. The fact is, what we call “the voice” can be as predictable and dependable as a carpenter’s tool or a professional baseball pitcher’s throwing arm. Both the tool and the arm can have issues, of course, but with proper development and maintenance they tend to serve well for many years.
My advice is to be proactive with your voice. Identify your weaknesses as well as areas that you just don’t understand at all. Be honest. Then, step-by-step, find ways to conquer each area, either with personal training, Online training, or with hardcopy or download CD’s that address your issues. The important thing is that YOU be in charge of your voice. Don’t just LET things happen. MAKE things happen.
Got some specific questions that need answering? Let me know at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc and be sure to see the new special offer on the Vocal Coach store.
Tags: chris beatty, sing better, singing lessons, vocal coach, Vocal control, vocal performance
Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, From the Coach, Performance, Singing Exercises, Soloist, Teaching Teens To Sing, Tips Tailored for You, Uncategorized, Worship Team | No Comments »
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