KEEPING A MOIST VOICE IN DRY WEATHER

Dec 2 2011

IT’S WINTER.  THAT MEANS LOTS OF SINGING AND DRYER AIR

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES all singers face is  recognizing how dehydrating singing is even in the best of times.  Every time we exhale we are losing moisture.  In fact, when a singer like Chris Tomlin does a full concert he’s apt to lose a gallon or more of water in one night just through the breath.  Add to that normal perspiration and evaporation through the skin and you need some serious hydration just to stay even.  In winter, the air inside and outside is dryer it makes it even worse.

THE REAL DANGER is the control you can lose and the damage you can cause if the vocal folds (vocal cords) don’t have the right lubrication as they articulate thousands of times during a phrase.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP maintain the needed moisture include:

  1. Keep your body hydrated, drinking a minimum of 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day.  If you weigh 160 pounds that means 80 ounces of water.  If you weigh 500 pounds you ate too much on Thanksgiving day :-) .
  2. If you’re physically active playing sports, shoveling snow or whatever you’ll need additional water just to stay even.
  3. If you’re singing, or even doing a lot of speaking you need to anticipate those times by starting to super-hydrate several days before.  Drink, drink, drink and make it mostly water or juices, not caffienated drinks.
  4. In addition to keeping your system hydrated there are times to consider some topical moisture in the nose and throat area. This can be accomplished mc-entertainers-secret.jpegwith a Vick’s Personal Steam Inhaler. It’s made by Kaz and sold at Target, Walmart etc ($25-30) or Entertainer’s Secret Throat Spray (vocalcoach.com/store $6.95 ea).  The steam inhaler also helps is you’ve over-used the voice a bit.  The Entertainer’s Secret is a great, topical moisturizer that will keep the nasal passages, sinuses and upper throat moist even in a dry setting.
THE KEY TO KEEPING YOUR VOICE MOIST is to remember that you are a vocal athlete and you need to honor the needs of the physical instrument.  If you do, you, your voice and your audience will all be much happier campers.
LET ME KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc and be sure to take advantage of our winter sales.

 

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Posted in Choir Directors, Performance, Soloist, Uncategorized, Vocal Health, Worship Team | No Comments »

The Annual Vocal Coach Holliday Sale is Here!

Nov 22 2011

It’s that time of year! We are slashing prices on all our most popular Vocal Training products. If you’ve been waiting to buy, now is the time. Tell your friends and family and consider giving the gift of song this holiday, because the Vocal Coach Series product line is the perfect gift for a special someone or yourself. Chris and Carole want you to have the tools you need to sing your best and they are here to help.

Complete Breathing MP3 is FREE!

Spread the word and enjoy our holiday gift to you — for a limited time only we are offering the downloadable mp3 version of Vocal Coach Breathing absolutely FREE! Please feel free to tell everyone. Our Breathing CD is a great start to becoming a better singer. Order Now

Holiday Sale Highlights – Give the Gift of Song!

Get a head start on your holiday shopping with these unbeatable deals without fighting the mall traffic. Starting today and running right through Black Friday and Cyber Monday we are offering the best prices of the year. Enjoy the savings.

These prices are the lowest they have ever been to make your holiday shopping a snap. Not only can you save on any cd you buy; you can get every Vocal Coach lesson (11 cds plus guidebook) for the singer on your shopping list for as little as $89.99! Remember sale ends Tuesday, November 29th so hurry before these incredible prices are gone!

We’re Her to Help You Succeed

Without a doubt, now is the best time to buy. Please be our guest and see what Vocal Coach has to offer. The great thing about the Vocal Coach Series is that Chris and Carole Beatty are personally committed to helping you become the best singer you can be. So if you have a question just ask the experts by email, post a question on Facebook, or check out Chris’s blog for amazing tips and suggestions. Chris and Carole are always there to help. Plus, if you have any questions about the Vocal Coach training method, don’t hesitate to ask To contact Chris and Carole, the creators of Vocal Coach email contact@vocalcoach.com – If you have any technical questions about the store, please contact customerservice@rede-commerce.com

Posted in Notes from the Vocal Coach Store | No Comments »

What Is The Lip-Trill or Bubble Exercise? & Dallas area, here we come.

Nov 7 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


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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 »

“I WANT A VOCAL COACH, NOT MORE CD’S!”

Nov 3 2011

REMINDER OF DALLAS VOCAL COACH WORKSHOP

HAS YOUR VOICE HAD A TUNE-UP LATLEY?

There are still a few openings left for the Saturday, November 12th Vocal Coach Workshop in Dallas. It will be held at the “Voice Kitchen” video studio and limited to 15 students. I will be teaching “live” from my studio in TN and we’ll all see and hear each other throughout.  9:00-Noon Nov 12th. This is a great value.  Just click here for more info or to sign up.

 “I WANT A VOCAL COACH, NOT MORE CD’s!”

I totally get that statement.  Regular, personal training from a skilled and experienced teacher/coach is the ideal.  BUT, in real life that means living near one of those teachers who is probably going to charge a good bit, and they deserve it.

I HONESTLY BELIEVE you can get the “information” and “personal feedback”  you need by using a combination of affordable methods.

TO START WITH, you really can learn (or be reminded of) much of the fundamentals through carefully structured CD’s. (There has to be a reason we’ve sold over 1 million of them.)

TO CONTINUE learning you will, at some point, want feedback and interaction from a teacher, or coach. In my case I am both voice teacher (technique) and coach (expression, interpretation, staging etc.). Because we live in the Internet Age you can literally be interacting with a teacher fom a desktop, laptop, iPad or even iPhone with full audio and video.  If you’re in the Dallas areas you can start with the Nov small class. Or just schedule an ONLINE SESSION with me on our site.  All you need is an Internet connection and a web cam and mic which are part of most computers or very inexpensive to add.

SUMMARY: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT ALL TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.  You can download a training CD in 5 minutes from our VOCAL COACH STORE at vocalcoach.com where you can also schedule an online session.  And, don’t forget the free tips and other free resources our site, or email me at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc.

Hope to hear from you or see you soon Online.

Chris

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Posted in From the Coach, Singing and Voice Lessons, Vocal Coach Workshops | No Comments »

HAS YOUR VOICE HAD A TUNE-UP LATELY? Dallas Vocal Coach Workshop Nov. 12th

Oct 27 2011

Has Your Voice Had A Tune-Up Lately?

 SING HIGHER, LOWER AND LONGER WITHOUT VOCAL FATIGUE


 JOIN US SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12th, 9:00 a.m. to Noon for a Live, Interactive Video Vocal Coach Workshop in Dallas TX

with Chris & Carole Beatty. 

Co-Sponsored by Vocal Coach and the THE VOICE KITCHEN in Dallas

 

WHO IS IT FOR?  Singers, Worship Leaders, Choir Members, Teachers, Pastors.

HOW DOES A LIVE VIDEO WORKSHOP WORK?  It’s simple.  You arrive at the Voice Kitchen in Dallas  November 12th at 9:00.  That classroom will be connected by live video feed to our Vocal Coach studio in Brentwood TN.  That’s it! We see, hear and interact with each other throughout the workshop.

HOW BIG WILL THE CLASS BE? In an effort to maximize personal attention the class will be limited to the first 15 who sign up.

WHAT WILL IT COVER? The critical foundations that even experienced singers and speakers need to fine-tune.

  • POSTURE: Sounds boring but it’s NOT!  Discovering a natural, balanced posture benefits not only your voice but the way you look and function in life. It’s a posture you can live with.
  • BREATHING: Breath is the power behind the voice.  The problem is, many of us have been taught strange techniques that really don’t make sense.  Our approach will make sense and the exercises you will learn will build good “breath management” for your speaking and singing.  Many of us breathe the wrong way.   We actually interfere with our own technique.
  • TONE: What do you sound like when all the tension and bad technique is gone?  You will be amazed at the sound and feeling of a free voice for speaking and singing.  Get ready for your absolute best sound.  It may surprise you.
  • DICTION: Believe it or not, when you clean up some diction habits your voice is much happier, the sound is cleaner and the message is easier to understand.  The Vocal Coach approach to diction is used world-wide by thousands with great success.
  • WARM-UPS & COOL-DOWNS: Those who depend on their voices are really vocal athletes.  After all, the voice is a physical, mechanical and acoustical instrument.  As you learn to warm-up and cool down your voice you will avoid injury and maximize your performance.
  • YOUR QUESTIONS: We’ll also be taking your questions and working through other areas that will make you the best you can be.

WHAT IS THE COST? Less than a one-hour personal session in the Vocal Coach studio, and you don’t need to drive or fly to Nashville and pay for a hotel.  Your total cost is $75.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?  Just go to WWW.VOICEKITCHEN.COM or email moc.nehctikeciovnull@oiduts.  You can also call Jill at the Voice Kitchen at 469-383-8885. Technical questions can be addressed to moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc.

 REMEMBER: THERE ARE ONLY 15 SEATS FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO ACT NOW!

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Posted in Choir Directors, Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Uncategorized, Worship Team | 2 Comments »

RESPONSE by Phil Wickham (Vocal Coach Review)

Oct 8 2011
Over the years I have been given more CD’s to listen to than I can count.  Some have good vocals, some have a few good songs and some have arrangements that work for those songs and that singer.  But, most don’t have all those elements working all at the same time.  I was recently asked to review a project that might just challenge and change your life.
RESPONSE by Phil Wickham has all the right elements.  He is one of those rare singers who never gets in the way of the message, and that’s not easy.  His voice is clear.  He says what he wants to say without padding the lyrics.  He just gets it done.
Here’s my review:
“In RESPONSE this extraordinarily gifted psalmist has, once again, captured my heart and spirit.  Starting with the proclamation, “You made a way for me,” in THE VICTORY to the closing cry of, ” Let us see all that You are,” in HEAVEN we are taken on a journey of challenge and change. In the middle is SUN AND MOON, an intimate and sobering wakeup call to reevaluate where we are, adjust and commit anew to the King of Kings.  Heaven Fall Down isn’t just songs; it’s an experience from one who clearly works at his relationship with God as hard as he does at his craft. A life-changer for all who hear.”
For those of you currently developing your songwriting and vocal skills, Phil is a great example of both.  Not too much; not too little; just right.
Let me know your thoughts on RESPONSE, and check out other Reviews on this blog under “Product Reviews.”
moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhC

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Posted in Product Reviews | 2 Comments »

ARE YOUR VOCAL FOUNDATIONS CRACKED?

Sep 18 2011

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE BATTLES WITH YOUR VOICE?  

  1. A tired voice that aches and feels fatigued?
  2. Running out of breath and having to grab air at awkward places in the song?
  3. Having to push and sometimes practically yell the big, high notes?
  4. Losing the low register after you’ve been singing high notes?
  5. Not really being sure of the sound that’s going to come out until you’re actually singing?

TRY THESE TIPS TO FIX THE ABOVE FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES:

  1. A tired voice is often due to a combination of speaking incorrectly during the day and not warming up before, and cooling down after singing.
  2. Poor breath management is common and can undermine everything you do vocally. Here’s a link on our blog site that will get you on track. Just click here, and go to Ten Steps for Better Breathing, or visit Free Resources at vocalcoach.com.
  3. Pushing for high notes means you haven’t discovered how to ALLOW your voice to move into the higher register. By first fine-tuning your posture and breathing (see #2) and then working with our Complete Tone and Complete Expanding Your Range CD’s you can learn the joy of soaring throughout your range with a consistent tone quality. When you stop over-driving the voice and start releasing it’s freedom both you, and the listener will be happier.
  4. Where did my low notes go? We’ve all been there: The solid low notes that we started the song with are suddenly . . . GONE.  It’s only 5 minutes later, but we’ve been cranking the high notes for much of that time. That means the vocal folds are “set and positioned” for higher notes (higher frequencies). So, how do we get them to relax those settings and replace them with “low note settings?”  First, make sure you always warm-up and vocalize throughout your range.  Always come back down to your lower speaking register.  Make the low notes part of your goal in warming up.  Too often the singer’s goal is the high notes. “If I can just get those I’ll be fine.” Actually, maintaining the low notes makes the higher notes more connected and easier to sing. So, plan your warm-ups to include, and always return to your lower notes. Our Daily Workouts and Ultimate Choir Warm-Ups do a great job and will help you do that. Downloads are just minutes away.
  5. Knowing what you will sound like before you sing is one of the joys of regular vocal training. Nothing replaces muscle memory and experience.  Taking the time, and investing the resources and effort to make your voice it’s best is a worthwhile goal.

REMEMBER:  FIND THE PROBLEM.  FIX THE FOUNDATIONS.  ENJOY SINGING MORE. WE’RE HERE TO HELP.

Hope this helps you on your journey.

Let me know if you have specific questions. Just email me at: moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc and put “Question” in the subject.

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Posted in Breathing, Expanding Your Range, Performance, Posture, Voice Fatigue and Strain | No Comments »

DISTANCE LEARNING FROM VOCAL COACH

Aug 9 2011

VOCAL COACHING USING LONG OR SHORT DISTANCE LEARNING IS CONVENIENT, LESS EXPENSIVE AND REALLY GETS THE JOB DONE!

What a fun time we live in when it comes to distance learning.  Some of our students travel half way across the country for one-on-one, in person coaching in our Brentwood TN studio.  Many, however, are traveling only a few feet to their laptops, desktops or iPads. The really amazing thing about live, distance learning is how affordable, yet powerful it is. I see and hear you; you see and hear me.  That combination can accomplish a lot in a short time at a very minimal cost.

Here are some examples from the last month that I know you will enjoy hearing about:

  1. A singer-songwriter and physician from the East Coast needed help preparing for a recording project.  We worked through diction and tone exercises as well as interpretation and phrasing.  We got the job done using Skype, and now he’s ordered our Singer Series to continue the process.
  2. A singer-songwriter and United Nations delegate had some serious vocal challenges that we got a handle on in just a few hours in our Brentwood studio.  Finding the free, natural tone quality and establishing efficient breathing (actually using less breath) were on our agenda.
  3. A teen worship leader needed direction to free up his maturing voice.  He got more comfortable with the mechanics of singing and started to experience a more free transition between registers.  All this with webcams and the free program Skype.
  4. A twenty-something worship leader and church soloist asked for  coaching to help him “own” a particular song. After discussing the real message of the song we used such tools as lip-syncing, exaggerating diction and stabilizing posture to bring out the best vocal sound. Inspiration plus thorough preparation is always the best combination.
  5. In a few weeks I’ll be working with a touring artist who just had throat surgery.  He and is having a challenging recovery and needs a little help making sure he is using the instrument the right way.  This is just one of the many instances where the right coaching can help save a voice and a career.
  6. One of our students (who is a well-known singer) just called while on tour.  He was having a difficult time getting over some vocal issues.  Because we are on the same page as  teacher and student we were able to accomplish much just over the phone.

There is nothing more satisfying and rewarding to me than watching singers overcome obstacles and be all they can be in every way. I’ve been seeing this for many years and it never stops touching my heart. That’s what Vocal Coach is all about.

Is it YOUR TIME for some personal training?

If you have questions about Vocal Coach Distance Learning or any of our Vocal Coach products please let me know in one of the following ways:

Hope to hear from you soon, and maybe even see you.
Chris Beatty

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Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, From The Heart of Chris Beatty, Singing and Voice Lessons, Soloist, Teaching Teens To Sing, Uncategorized | No Comments »

SOME QUICK TIPS FROM VOCAL COACH CHRIS BEATTY

Jul 12 2011

EXTREME HEAT CAN = DRY THROAT? 

Dressed for HOT weather

Dressed for HOT weather

 

Much of the country is experiencing extreme heat.  We had a heat index of 110 yesterday in Nashville which is very, very unusual.  The good news for Carole and me is that we don’t have to leave the home/office/studio.  The bad news is that with the air conditioner on much of the day the air is almost dangerously dry. Dry skin, dry contact lenses and, if we’re not careful, dry throat.  The one and only solution is a substantial increase in water intake. So, give thanks for air conditioning, and, at the same time recognize the need to super-hydrate.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

We singers are notorious about nervously wondering if the voice will “be there for us” every time.  Why is this? Because, for most of us there have been times when all did not go . . . perfectly.

The solution is twofold. First, don’t waste time worrying about it. Worrying doesn’t accomplish anything. In fact, the stress caused by worrying is likely to make things worse by making you less confident, drying out your throat due to increased adrenaline and, if you are a Christ-Follower you are clearly told NOT to be anxious and worry. It will interfere with what God has for you.  Just check out Matthew 6:25-27 and Philippians 4:6-7.

Second, take action and train with a goal of being the best, most consistent singers and communicator you can be.  I often say that singers are vocal athletes, and really good athletes never stop training. They know that bad habits can and will creep in to your technique and the only way to avoid that is by continuing to get meaningful feedback, being honest with that feedback and being proactive in making changes.

THE GOOD NEWS FOR SINGERS is that you can incorporate many aspects of your vocal training into normal, daily life. Violin players and professional basketball players don’t have it so easy. They have to have an instrument or basketball.

How does this translate to singers?  Simply by practicing and reinforcing the following:

  1. Upright, balanced posture whether sitting or standing.
  2. Breathing that goes low and doesn’t require heaving of the chest.
  3. Speaking with a resonant tone quality whether you are using a soft or loud volume.
  4. Articulating every word clearly when talking to a friend, on the phone or teaching.

By turning your everyday voice technique into a nonstop training session you will be building a muscle memory base that can transfer right into your singing.

LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.  Email moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc

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Posted in Soloist, Speaking Tips, Uncategorized, Vocal Health, Worship Team | 4 Comments »

Training Children’s Voices is Important & Now Is The Time

Jul 6 2011

Please Click Here:  Chris Beatty on Training Children’s Voices

As you click on the link above you will hear my thoughts about helping our children become the best communicators they can be.

The more our kids learn about their voices, and how to use them in speaking and singing the clearer communicators they will be, and that’s important for a successful future.

Carole and I have six grandchildren and have taught literally thousands of students, young and old, around the world.  We really “get it” when it comes to teaching and coaching our kids the right way.

Please click on the audio link above, then let me know that you think by emailing moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc

Chris

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Posted in Kids and Teens, Teaching Kids To Sing, Uncategorized | No Comments »

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