Posts Tagged ‘blog.vocalcoach.com’
« Older Entries |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 »
Singing Turns Your Breath Into Music
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
I just saw a great cartoon from the old Family Circus series. The older brother is holding a trumpet and educating his younger sibling. He says,
“When you blow through here it turns your breath into music.”
That’s EXACTLY how a child would summarize the workings of a trumpet. He doesn’t need to know all the details. Someone else has taken care of that, and it works.
Well, guess what? In many ways we should think of our voices the same way. You move air from the lungs up through the mouth and it turns it into music. In fact, when performing, that’s about all you have room in your brain to think about. The rest of your attention should be on being an expressive communicator to the listener.
Don’t get me wrong. I am fully aware of all the mechanical and acoustical events going on as well as the preparation it takes to become a good singer. I’m just reminding us all that it’s easy to over-think the whole vocal process to the point of sounding and looking like a vocal robot.
Learning the mechanics in order to not have to think about the mechanics is the goal, and it is a process. But oh the joy of being able to just stand there and let your mind, body and spirit turn moving breath into a powerful and clear message.
Remember, it’s easy:
“When you blow through here it turns your breath into music.”
Have an amazing week, and let me know how Vocal Coach can help you do what you do, better.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training
Posted in Breathing, From The Heart of Chris Beatty, Teaching Kids To Sing, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
IS SINGING IN THE CAR OK FOR THE VOICE?
Monday, January 16th, 2012
WANT TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THIS BLOG? Click here: Blog-WarmingUpInCar_011612
Great Email Question
I got a great email question that asked this: “Chris, I bought the Vocal Coach series from you at a workshop you gave. You mention warming up while driving to rehearsal/gig. I thought I had heard not to do that. Is it ok to do that so long as posture is correct?” This is a super question because it deals with real life for a singer.
Ideal vs Reality
Let’s start with this: The “ideal” warm-up/practice scenario would have you peaceful and quiet, undisturbed. You are rested, have eaten well and have just read something relaxing. Maybe even had a string quartet playing during your meal. I’m not being sarcastic. Superstars like Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Jackson traveled with their own chef’s, food supply and, in the case of Pavarotti, entertainment.
Muscle Memory
Most singers who wait, and only warm-up and practice in perfect, ideal situations often just don’t do it. The result is that they don’t develop the muscle memory necessary for good singing.
Is Warming Up in the Car Ok?
I have sung all over the world and sometimes the only place I knew I could really “get away” to think and warm-up was in a rental car. Pavarotti and Jackson I am not, but I do know what my voice and mind and emotions feel like when I’m fully ready to perform and I’ll do about anything to make that happen. If you’re a choir or worship team member and the car is your only time to focus, put in a Vocal Coach Warm-Up or Daily Workout CD and go for it. The goal is to be ready.
If you do end up warming up in a car:
- Make sure the rear-view mirror is positioned comfortably high requiring you to sit tall to see out the back window.
- Keep your hands at the One and Three O’clock positions on the steerting wheel. It will stabilize your chest and ribs in a comfortably expanded position.
- Have a goal of physically feeling a free, rich tone since road noise, air conditioning etc. may make accurate hearing challenging.
- Don’t try to out-sing the car noise. Instead, sing smart. If you begin to strain, back off and recheck posture, breathing and tone. If you aren’t solid in those foundations make a plan, get some materials personal training and learn to do it right.
Ten Minutes Is Much Better Than Nothing
What it your schedule or situation doesn’t allow for a good warm-up? That’s where muscle memory and experience kick in and get you through, but it’s not something to get comfortable with. Those who do ultimately pay the price of sloppy, unpredictable performances. There is always some time to do humming and lip-trill exercises even if it’s while you’re in the shower and getting ready.
Summary
Do all you can to assure regular warm-up and practice times in ideal surrounding. When that can’t happen, make sure to still prepare your voice and heart even if you need to hide in the janitor’s closet or a car to do it.
Got a Question You Would Like Answered?
Just email me at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc and put “Question” in the subject.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training, voice training, worship leader
Posted in Soloist, Uncategorized, Vocal Coach Audios, Warm-Ups, Worship Team | 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 »
HAS YOUR VOICE HAD A TUNE-UP LATELY? Dallas Vocal Coach Workshop Nov. 12th
Thursday, October 27th, 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!
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, Dallas Vocal Workshop, Dallas Workshop, Vocal Coach Workshop, Vocal Workshop
Posted in Choir Directors, Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Uncategorized, Worship Team | 2 Comments »
RESPONSE by Phil Wickham (Vocal Coach Review)
Saturday, October 8th, 2011
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, Christian CD Reviews, Haven Fall Down, Phil Wickham, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Product Reviews | 2 Comments »
DISTANCE LEARNING FROM VOCAL COACH
Tuesday, August 9th, 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Email me at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc
- Call our NEW OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: 615-649-8067.
- Go to the Vocal Coach Web Site and check out Personal Lessons and the Vocal Coach Store.
Hope to hear from you soon, and maybe even see you.
Chris Beatty
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris and carole beatty, good foundations, performance training, singing lessons, vocalcoach.com, voice lessons, worship leader
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
Tuesday, July 12th, 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:
- Upright, balanced posture whether sitting or standing.
- Breathing that goes low and doesn’t require heaving of the chest.
- Speaking with a resonant tone quality whether you are using a soft or loud volume.
- 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
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, performance stress, singing lessons, vocal training, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Soloist, Speaking Tips, Uncategorized, Vocal Health, Worship Team | 4 Comments »
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