Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Have you ever noticed that those who act on their dreams with discipline and training are the ones who reach their goals? And, those who are dreamers-only, without discipline and training usually don’t accomplish their goals?
In the Olympics we see only the best of the best. Those who for years have paid the price to physically and mentally prepare for the toughest competitions in the world. The ones who know that 2/100ths of a second can make the difference between winning and loosing.
They have to train well, eat well, rest well and do everything in their power to stay healthy. Even a small cold or upset stomach can compromise their performance, and they know it. Performing at the Olympic level is very inconvenient and costly, but that’s what it takes, and they are willing to pay the price.
In contrast, American Idol shows it all. We see everything from the very gifted and talented to those who have no idea what they are doing. Many have been encouraged to audition based on their talents and dedication. Others have been encouraged to audition by well-meaning family and friends when what they really needed was more training. It’s no different than sports. It takes more than just wanting it.
What really shows the value of intense, professional training and coaching is what happens in the performances of even the best singers. They continue to improve. Many become truly great vocal communicators. They learn to own it all: The high notes, movement and expression. They deliver complete message to the audience, and that takes work, and the right kind of training.
One big lesson for us all is to know when to just encourage someone with positive comments and when to point them towards excellent training. As I have said many of times, Inspiration Without Preparation leaves you incomplete, lacking necessary skills and consistency. And, Preparation Without Inspiration often leaves you mechanical, and boring.
Does that mean we should only dream about things we are sure to accomplish? No. I regularly dream about doing all kinds of things that I couldn’t possibly accomplish in one lifetime, and I’m fine with that. But, I also realize that if I am honestly interested in accomplishing a certain goal, I have to be willing to pay the price of training and discipline. Sometimes I am willing; sometimes I’m not, but at least I know it.
How do these thoughts challenge you? Hopefully, you will look at where you are now as a singer, where you would like to be and make the big decision: Am I willing to pay the price to get to the next level? Will I sacrifice to make the time and resources available for my training?
If the answer is yes, do the necessary research to see what training is available in your area, or what resources you should purchase. If the answer is no, that’s fine, too. You can still enjoy singing at your current level and stop being anxious about not being more accomplished at this time. In either case, it’s good to identify what should, or should not be happening right now and act accordingly.
Review the underlined phrases above and sing on!
Tags: chris beatty, singing, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal coaching, Vocal Olympics
Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, Performance, Soloist, Teaching Teens To Sing, Worship Team | No Comments »
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Hi Singers! Welcome to the All New Vocal Coach!
Because we are as passionate about the voice as you are we have made some great changes to the Vocal Coach Web Site and Blog.
NEW WEB SITE at vocalcoach.com with some great new features including:
Lower prices on all your favorite CD’s & DVD’s.
The Coach’s Pick is back. Each month we’ll highlight one of the many Vocal Coach training products and offer special pricing. The current Coach’s Pick gives you a 20% discount, so be sure to check it out.
Free Singing Resources. In addition to our blog articles we will be offering free quarterly online classes. Free instructive videos. Free downloadable mp3’s. Free white papers and more.
Enhance Your Worship is a new resource for those in ministry. It will feature articles and tips for worship leaders, worship teams and choir members. We will also address common issues with the speaking voice for pastors and teachers. So, be sure to share your needs and questions at chris@vocalcoach.com .
NEW BLOG at blog.vocalcoach.com featuring:
Tips and articles that answer YOUR vocal questions.
Carole Cares. Carole, who along with Chris has been working with singers around the world for over 30 years. In this section Carole will feature your vocal success stories and testimonies as well as other personal observations and thoughts. You can contact Carole at carolecares@vocalcoach.com
We look forward to sharing all that 2010 has to offer with you. Please visit us often at vocalcoach.com and blog.vocalcoach.com and let us know how we can help you be the best singer you can be.
Lastly, to be sure you don’t miss anything Vocal Coach has to offer PLEASE ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. Even if you think you are on the list. Why? Because we have changed blog hosting and need to update our list.
Thank you for being part of the Vocal Coach Family.
Chris and Carole Beatty
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal coach blog, vocalcoach.com, voice lessons
Posted in Ask the Coach, Choir Directors, Coach's Pick, Duets to Groups, From the Coach, Worship Team | No Comments »
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Maybe it’s time you did. Why? Because many of us forget that there is are a number of physical and acoustical processes that make singing possible. One the the key players is the larynx, and the closer you two become the better, and more consistent your singing will be.
Why, just th other day I listened in to a singer-larynx conversation that went like this:*
Singer: I just want to sing.
Singer: I just want to survive your singing, and sometimes you make that tough.
Singer: Sorry about that. I get so stressed and distracted I don’t even know what I’m doing until it’s all over, and by then I’ve abused you. You actually hurt and get rough sounding.
Larynx: You got that right. But, if you’ll stop physically stressing me, I’ll stop emotionally stressing you.
Singer: Sounds like a plan. Where do we start?
Larynx: Well, since we’re kind of stuck with each other for the rest of our lives, with no replacement parts available, maybe we should get to know each other. You know, abilities, expectations etc.
Singer: I’m game. Why don’t you start.
Larynx: Well, to start with, I was designed by the greatest inventor of all time. He created the entire universe and everything and everyone in it. He also figured out the mechanics and acoustics of making sound. He’s really good! Here are some things you should know:
The vocal folds (sometimes called vocal cords) are designed to protect the lungs from foreign objects. When something heads that way, like food or liquid, the vocal folds close to protect the lungs. They can also become a one-way valve allowing you to cough the threat away. Rather clever if you ask me.
The cool thing, of course, is that these same vocal folds can vibrate as air from the lungs passes between them. And, depending on the length and thickness of their leading edge, they can produce hundreds of different pitches.
Singer: Very cool, but why can some people sing the big high notes so easily and others look and sound like they’re screaming? And it doesn’t seem to matter if they’re male or female.
Larynx: You’re right about range not being gender-specific. Most men, of course have lower voices than most women, but there are thousands of exceptions to that. If a woman has thicker and longer vocal folds she may be a natural tenor. If a man has shorter, thinner folds he may be an outstanding high tenor or even alto. The Creator gave everyone a potentially wide range, but not all the same range. Kind of like the string family in the orchestra: Violin, viola, cello and double bass. All have wide ranges, but all have different ranges.
The important thing is to discover how we were made and maximize that range. Then, to choose song arrangements that fit into our range. And, remember: No matter what our range you need to develop the skills and habits that will make us the most consistent and flexible singer we can be.
Singer: But, what if I don’t like our range? What if I’m really a bass and would prefer to be a tenor?
Larynx: You’ll have to talk to the Creator about that one. I once overheard a cello asking the Creator if he could play a violin concerto. The Creator didn’t even bother to respond.
Note to self: Stay in touch with the larynx. It’s good for both of us as well as our listeners.
Tags: chris beatty, larynx, singer's larynx, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training
Posted in Choir Directors, Duets to Groups, Singing Subjects, Worship Team | No Comments »
Monday, October 26th, 2009
If An Audience Is Going To Receive Youre Message
If an audiend is going to receive your message they need to be comfortable with you. That means they need to be vulnerable, mentally available and ready to hear what you have to share.
The Areas You CAN Control
Anything you can do to help them believe you is worth doing. This can be done in the way you promote yourself, the way you look and the way you sing your message. Those are all areas you can control.
The Areas You CAN’T Control
There are other areas that you may, or may not be able to anticipate, and this means you need to be ready to make things right in real-time.
* If the listeners are tired, it’s your job to revive them. This may mean adding a song that gets them up on their feet, singing, clapping and getting some much needed oxygen. Once they’re mentally and physically refreshed you can get to your message.
* If they’re distracted, your job is to get them focused . . . on you and your message. This may take a bit of personal story telling that engages then personally. Do your homework and know what your audience it likely to be interested in. Using name/stories from their community, sports teams etc. will draw them into what you are sharing. Remember: It’s about them, not you.
* If technical issues are getting between your message and the heart of the listener you need to do something about it. If they’re cringing or leaving because the sound level is too high, or look like they’re hearing more track/band than words do what it takes to change things. When in doubt ask the audience between songs. “Is the sound a little loud?” or “Are you hearing more instruments that vocals?” Then, in your most friendly tone ask the sound person to lower the accompaniment, or overall sound level. Better to offend one sound person than several hundred in the audience. You can also have a trusted ear seated on the isle in the middle of the house who can go back and suggest some changes to the sound person. (This, of course, should be pre-arranged to avoid an awkward moment.)
Summary
Your job isn’t just to get up there, sing your songs and then sit down. You are responsible for successfully communicating your message. Do what is necessary to get that done well.
Tags: chris beatty, performance coaching, performance training, singing lessons, Vocal Coac, voice training
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
If you sing in a duet, trio, quartet, choir, chorus, band or any other group you need to ask yourself this question: Are you more like clay, or ceramic? Stay with me. I promise it will make sense. A good quality potter’s clay has substance and a certain consistency, but is still very pliable and moldable. Once that piece is glazed and baked the flexibility is gone, and either it works with the other pieces or it doesn’t. There’s no turning back or fixing it.
The obvious parallel
The obvious parallel for singers is this: Anyone who sings in a group must remain like clay. If you’re not moldable, pliable and flexible you won’t fit in and blend with others. Instead, you will stick out, like a misshaped or discolored mug in what was intended to be a matched set. And, even if you’re primarily a soloist you still need the same “clay” element in order to do different styles of music authentically and believably.
Your Job Now
Your job now is to do a meaningful self-examination and ask the big question: “Am I more like the potter’s clay, or the inflexible ceramic?” If you do find yourself in the ceramic category you can relax. Unlike the potter, who has to destroy bad pieces, God has given us the ability to rework and relearn. This allows us to keep and add to the good skills, while at the same time eliminating the bad ones. If we are diligent with this pursuit, our vocal muscle memory with be helping us really own some great vocal technique.
Your thoughts
Let me know your thoughts on this article by adding a comment or writing me at chris@vocalcoach.com
Warning: Sometimes, those of us with the most training are the ones in danger of being “academic ceramics.” If we’re not careful, we will live in a rut of just what we were taught and lose the ability to grow. Those of us who teach risk the danger of giving bad counsel due to our own inflexibilty. How do I know this? Through personal experience. I am constantly learning, reading and love chatting with other teachers and coaches.
Tags: chris beatty, singing classes, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training, voice lessons
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »