Thursday, October 27th, 2011
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.
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 »
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 »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
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.
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:
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.
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 »
Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
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
Tags: chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, kids singing lessons, singing kids, singing lessons, singing lessons for children, Teaching kids to sing
Posted in Kids and Teens, Teaching Kids To Sing, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, May 20th, 2011
INEXPERIENCE. If mere inexperience is the cause, the solution will be found in developing and owning good vocal technique and performance skills. This can be accomplished by finding a local, qualified teacher and coach, or taking advantage of Vocal Coach Online Training. Online training is the personal, powerful, convenient and cost effective way to get the training you need.
SHYNESS. If you are a shy person by nature, you may need additional coaching to further reinforce mechanics of not only the voice, but also of expression and gestures. These will have to be exaggerated. Rehearsing with props and in front of a video camera or mirror is especially helpful. If you don’t naturally know how to be expressive in front of a crowd consider using the Complete Performance CD. It’s a powerful tool.
PITCH ISSUES. If you have pitch issues, and know it, dig in with a sensitive, experienced teacher and conquer this ear-training issue. This is a nonnegotiable skill for singers. If, after reasonable time you don’t see much progress get a second opinion. If you are still not able to get from pitch center to pitch center accurately, you may have to confront the possibility that singing in public is not for you. Even then, as long as you’re not holding a microphone, sing on, and enjoy. Note: We can do an effective evaluation of pitch issues with a single Online Session using Skype or iChat. Just visit Personal Training on our site.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. If your own expectations are a bit too idealistic, based more on dreams than honest feedback and careful training, it may be time to reevaluate and recalculate. You should know that the stories behind most successful singers include a lot about very hard work. That doesn’t mean singing 8 hours a day, but It does mean learning how to use the tools of singing properly. This includes your vocal mechanism, accurate pitch, an understanding of tone quality, expression and gesture and more. Good singers don’t just happen any more than good athletes do. It’s always about inspiration plus . . . preparation. One, without the other, will always leave you lacking.
THE GOOD NEWS is that you don’t need to be stuck with bad vocal habits or even a lack of knowing where you really stand. Step out, reach out and enjoy the voice you have. Vocal Coach is here to serve your vocal needs.
P.S. You can now download PDF files for the leadsheets (notes & lyrics) for our most popular CD’s for only $2.99 each. Just check the CD in the Vocal Coach Store.
Tags: chris beatty, performance coaching, Pitch, singing lessons, vocal training, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Choir Directors, From The Heart of Chris Beatty, Kids and Teens, Performance, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
TOO MUCH AIR?
When a singer begins performing publicly there is a tendency to push too much air. It is often the result of adrenaline, combined with the unfamiliar feedback from monitors and house speakers. If you take in too much air, then push it out too fast, it can compromise pitch, tone quality and more.
TOO LITTLE AIR?
Then, there are those who suddenly get timid as they hear their own voices through the sound system and are unsure of how to react. Some singers are so distracted they actually forget to breathe and find themselves panicking as a result.
THE GOAL IS . . . JUST WHAT YOU NEED
The goal is to provide the larynx with just the right amount of air, and air pressure to get the job done. That means, of course, that the brain has to know what the demands of the phrase are. The vocal range, length of each note, volume and even the style. Once that is understood, as a result of studying the song, the brain can tell the respiratory system exactly what to provide. As long as the breathing mechanism has been exercised the right way it will have the agility and stamina to do the job.
Sound complicated? It is. But, most of this will happen automatically if you will spend some time training and exercising the different parts of your singing mechanism. It also requires that you spend some time working with and analyzing what you want to do with the song.
SOME PEOPLE DO IT SO EASILY
“But,” you might say, “some people seem to do it so easily and naturally.” True, but it probably took them a few years for it to become “easy and natural.” Many artists and athletes appear to become overnight successes, but it seldom happens over night. You just hadn’t heard about them while they were struggling through the training periods.
SOME TIPS FOR MASTERING THE AIR FLOW
IT’S NOT MAGIC
REMEMBER: Even with singers who seem to have an almost “magical” touch when they perform it’s really a matter of Preparation, combined with Inspiration and experience. Do the work . . . the right way . . . and you, too, will get good results.
DON’T MISS SPECIAL OFFERS
Don’t forget to check the Vocal Coach Store for current special offers and make the most of your instrument. If you’re looking for a tool to get your breathing squared away take a look at the COMPLETE BREATHING CD. To see other special offers check out the HOME PAGE.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, breath control, breath support, Breathing, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com
Posted in Breathing, Posture, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, March 4th, 2011
THE LAUNCH
February 24th was the final launch of the Discovery shuttle from the Kennedy Space Center. I was there with Carole and two good friends from Dallas. We started our day at 4:00 a.m. for the 4:50 p.m. launch. After clearing security, we were bused to a causeway several miles from the launch pad. We had a perfect viewing angle of Discovery and the enormous rockets that would power her through the Earth’s atmosphere and into space. During the hours leading up to the countdown we set up cameras and just soaked in this historic view of one of man’s most dramatic achievements. With only one second to go, there was a momentary pause in the countdown, and then it happened. The solid-fuel rocket ignited and in just seconds both shuttle and rockets were totally enveloped in a white smoky cloud. Magically, the shuttle and rockets slowly emerged from the cloud, first slowly and then accelerating quickly. This was all accompanied by a thunderous roar and shaking of the earth, completing the majestic experience.
THE MUSIC LOVER AND SINGER
The music-lover in me was attending a concert with a fifty thousand-piece orchestra and chorus. It was truly an experience to behold and one I will never forget. The singer in me was reminded of the similarities and differences between the lift off of Discovery and hearing a highly trained singer. Both areas include specialized areas of science. Both areas also begin with dreams, an active imagination and the courage to enter into previously unknown areas. But, while mastery and understanding of all systems were necessary for Discovery, there is still a wonderful mystery that accompanies the singing process. Some of that mystery is acoustical in nature and some of it is due to the spiritual and emotional elements involved.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The bottom line for me is that I was privileged to attend the Discovery launch on February 24, 2011. I’m equally privileged to play the most unique instrument in the world: The human voice. I hope you are enjoying yours.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, discovery launch, vocal coaching, vocal training, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
My favorite book in the Bible
This week I have been reading Esther, my favorite book in the Bible. Why is this book so special to me? Maybe it is because I am a Jewish Christ-Follower and hid my beliefs at times. Maybe it is because Esther was in foreign territory, where I have been many times. Or maybe it is because God placed her someplace, “For such a time as this.”
Deliberate decisions
I’ve been there. In fact, I have been in many situations where I knew God had put me. While there, I had to make deliberate decisions to listen to what He said. I had to choose to obey His voice rather than what I felt.
Having the faith to go thru is my choice, and yours. Really listening, then obeying will change not only your life but the lives of those around you. (Esther 4:14)
Open your ears to hear what God is saying and then obey
My encouragement to you is to open your ears to hear what God is saying and then obey. You may hear His voice in times of prayer, your personal time in Scripture or from a gifted teacher. Esther listened and obeyed. I am continually learning this same skill and it’s a blessing. I wish the same blessing on you.
May your week be one of hearing His voice, and obeying.
Carole
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, carole beatty, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, vocal coach carole beatty
Posted in Carole Cares | No Comments »