Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
“When something exceeds your ability to understand how it works, it becomes kind of magical.” I recently heard that statement in an online demonstration of the Apple iPad. It occurred to me that the same descriptive applies to the human voice.
Here’s what I mean: Aren’t there times when you hear a singer that just amazes you? One who can do things with their voice that you can only imagine doing, but never actually do? That’s the “magical” aspect of the voice. The part that defies analysis, or duplication by the average listener, and even the average singer.
But, what if you really, really, really want to at least come close to delivering that kind of magical performance. And, what if you are willing to invest the time, effort and resources to take the voice as far as you possibly can. What are the steps?
In truth, it’s no different than choosing to absolutely maximize your athletic performance, or your intellectual performance. It takes sacrifice at all levels. Sacrifice that most of us, frankly, aren’t willing or able to make. Sacrifice that would make having a normal family life and job almost impossible. Like being an Olympic athlete in training. It takes all that you are, often at the expense of normalcy.
Discouraged? Don’t be! No one is asking you to give up family and friends to compete for “World’s Best Singer. But, there is sacrifice and investment involved in becoming a better, more consistent singer. And, it starts with constant, non-stop awareness of your daily posture, and the way you manage your breathing in speaking and singing.
You see, many people compromise their posture throughout the day, and that leads to poor breathing. Then, they “get straight” for singing and wonder why it feels so stiff and unnatural. The key is being upright and aligned every waking hour. I don’t mean standing at attention. I just mean being upright, like any two-year-old. It’s natural, and how we were designed to function. And, it’s one of the first things to go if we don’t get daily reminders. For years I would go so far as to put reminders in my calendar to check my posture and breathing. Seem extreme? Not if you’re really serious about being your best.
When it comes to breathing it’s a matter of management, not power or push. Untrained, three-week-old babies do fine with sharing their vocal messages to the entire household with no formal training whatsoever.
Tags: breathing technique for singers, chris beatty, vocal coach, vocal training, voice lessons, voice training
Posted in Breathing, Posture, Singing Subjects | 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 »
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 »