A2Z FREE SINGING TIPS

A = ARTICULATE. Using your articulators (lips, teeth, tip of the tongue) more specifically to create your words will help you sing better and more easily. So many of us swallow our articulation (meaning farther back in our mouth) and that habit gets in the way of resonance, tone placement and other important singing mechanics. To improve your skill, quickly say the articulator tongue twister five times in a row: “lips, teeth, tip of the tongue. Lips, teeth, etc.” Be sure to really concentrate on exaggerating the movements with the articulators. See where all the action is? That is where you feel the action of articulation when you sing. Keep in mind that you will probably feel like you are moving them in a ridiculous fashion if you are not used to using them actively. Check a mirror, you’ll probably be surprised. Free Singing Tip A

B = BUILD YOUR SONG PERFORMANCE. Think about how a well-constructed roller coaster builds in intensity and suspense throughout the ride. Your song should have the same sort of ups and downs. For the best results, plan the dynamics (volume and intensity) of your singing. Don’t just sing as powerfully as you can from the get go. Figure out the emotional and natural build of the music and sing accordingly. As an example using a basic song form, you would do your initial build from Verse 1 through Chorus 1, bring them back a bit for Verse 2 only to get a slightly bigger build (than the peak of Chorus 1) on Chorus 2 before exploding into the bridge. Remember, singing is as much an art form as a skill. Free Singing Tip B

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C = COPE WITH UNEXPECTED SINGING EVENTS and challenges the smart way. Figure out which part of your vocal instrument is out of balance and make an instant adjustment. If you are not sure what actually makes up your “vocal instrument” you would definitely benefit from learning vocal mechanics. Free Singing Tip C

D = DARE TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. So many singers practice the same song, the same way, over and over and over again. If it didn’t work the first twenty times, why is it going to work the twenty-first? Try altering different aspects of your singing and attempt to find an easier way to accomplish your best sound. For example, increase/decrease articulation, increase/decrease the amount of airflow, increase/decrease diaphragm support, alter tone placement, alter resonance…get the picture? Free Singing Tip D

E = ENERGY NOT EFFORT. This is one of the most confusing concepts in singing. Energy in the tone is what we want and Effort is something we want to desperately to avoid. Energy is created naturally when our vocal instrument is in balance and our body is involved in the singing process. It feels good. It feels easy. Sometimes it occurs naturally and other times we may have to make adjustments. Effort usually occurs when singers use their throat muscles/membranes and vocal cords improperly to create volume. We should actually feel and see very little happening in our throat area. Free Singing Tip E

F = FEATHERS. When learning to sing your full range and accomplish the desired one voice (same power with similar tone throughout the whole range) singers often experience cracks and breaks. One way to test this is to practice a siren. Slide on the syllable “he” from the bottom of your range to the top. If you do not experience cracks or breaks, try it on all syllables at all volumes. When you find yourself faced with this challenge, it is the common response to “try harder” or “give more effort” on those notes. This is not the way to solve this issue. What you want to do is to lighten up just a bit on these notes, let them float like a feather instead of trying harder and stomping on them. Understand that most often this is caused because muscles and membranes not having the memory they need to make the transition you require, as quickly as you want it made. Repetition will give them memory, so keep practicing. Lighten up just a bit on those notes and sing through the break. Don’t develop the habit of stopping when you “crack” or it will come back to bite you later. Free Singing Tip F

G = GET OVER IT and GO FOR IT. So many talented young singers come into my studio with a good voice and with work, really shine on their vocal skills…but when it comes to performance they suffer the “I’m afraid I’ll look stupid” syndrome. Why do we do that? We see music videos and concerts every day when artists give us their all, and yet we feel less stupid singing like a statue than we do really going for it? Makes no sense, but this is not a random occurrence. And unfortunately, when you don’t really “perform” the song, you will never be able to give your absolute best performance. Why? Performance involves some sort of emotional connection with the song, when you put the emotion on your face and in your body, you will sing completely differently than the statue, no matter how knowledgeable. Free Singing Tip G

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H = HUMMING. Humming should be easy and sound alive. If you cannot hum well, you are not singing up to your potential. Humming is a good way to determine which part of your vocal instrument is not warmed up or pulling its weight. When you hum you should be able to feel the resonant vibration on the front of your face. Free Singing Tip H

I = INCREASE YOUR AIR SPEED for high notes and decrease your air speed for lower notes. Each frequency requires a specific air speed to create the absolute best tone. Many singers push too much air, too quickly, while singing low notes in an attempt to make the note louder. All this does is add stress and tension to the tone. Use your ears to tell you when the proper balance is reached. The tone should sound clear and pure before adding stylistic nuances. Free Singing Tip I

J = JAW TENSION. Most people don’t realize how tense their jaw is…because it feels perfectly natural to them. Be sure to stretch out your face and jaw muscles and even make a specific point to monitor your jaw when singing to be sure it truly is relaxed. If your jaw is tense, you will not receive your best tone and perhaps even have trouble hitting some of the higher tones. Free Singing Tip J

K = KEEP IT CLEAN. When practicing your vocal skills focus on creating a pure and clear tone first, free of airiness, rasp and other tonal changes added for stylistic purposes. If you cannot create a clear tone full of life and energy, you are not singing up to your potential. Free Singing Tip K

L = LIFT YOUR DIAPHRAGM. So many singers learn to “belly breath” (breathe into the belly) and therefore tend to think that lifting their diaphragm feels similar to holding in their stomach. You can sing like this, but you are only using half your resources and not making full use of the power provided by the muscles in the back. To get your best breath for singing, you want to fill up your abdomen like an inner tube, you should feel expansion all the way around your body…yes, even in your back. Then to compress the air and support the vocal tone release, you lift the diaphragm muscle straight up from the center of your body. If you are used to the other way, it takes some practice to get the new diaphragm muscle memory, but well worth the effort! Free Singing Tip L

M = MONEY NOTES MATTER. Let’s face it. If you are singing a song with a big money note, let’s be real. You can knock the rest of the song out of the park, but if you miss the money note that’s all your audience will remember. A lot of times singers miss money notes because they are worried about it and if you even think for a moment that it “might not happen” you just increased your odds of it not happening by a great deal. Usually it is only one or two notes of a phrase that reach that “money” potential. When you focus specifically on the note, you compartmentalize it and tell your subconscious to watch out for it. Instead, in practice try concentrating on the phrase. Figure out how to use the phrase to your advantage. Sometimes changing your placement on the note(s) just before your money note can make a huge difference. And of course, during performance…see yourself hitting that note like a pro. If you can see it and you believe it, you’ll hit it almost every time. Free Singing Tip M

N = NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT. The perception of the audience is the reality. Say that out loud, “the perception of the audience is the reality.” What they think is true, is true. So if you sing with confidence and handle that “creative” phrase you accidentally added like a professional, most of your audience will be convinced that you meant to sing it that way. Professionals sing creative nuances, amateurs make mistakes. Free Singing Tip N

O = ONE VOICE. If you have been around organized singing groups or perhaps even studied training you have probably heard these terms: chest voice, middle voice, head voice and belt voice. Some singers have even had the misfortune of studying under these kinds of principles…unfortunately that usually means they can’t sing very many songs and still sound like one person. When they go up for that higher note in the phrase they end up switching to some hooty, covered, “head voice” sound. We won’t go into the foundation of these terms here, but know that your goal as a singer is to manage the balance of resonance in all cavities so you can sing from low to high with a consistent tone. Free Singing Tip O

P = PLACEMENT OF YOUR TONE refers to where the tone is centered. Mastering tone placement will make your singing incredibly easy and consistent. Some people are born with the skill of good tone placement and others have to really work at it. To get technical, there is both a horizontal and vertical placement. For example: horizontal placement, the tone can be centered at the front of your mouth, the middle or the back (back never preferred). For example: vertical placement, draw a line from the middle of your chin to the top middle of your head. The higher the note, the higher the placement. Free Singing Tip P

Q = QUIT SINGING THROUGH YOUR NOSE. Nasal tone qualities occur when there is too much resonance in your nasal cavity and not enough sympathetic resonance or overtones being created in other cavities. One quick fix is to simply open your mouth taller. Free Singing Tip Q

R = RESONANCE. Resonance is commonly defined as the “key to your signature voice.” As singers, we are far more interested on how we manipulate it that it’s textbook definition. Resonance is created by the sound wave/frequency you are creating is shaped and amplified by dancing in a resonating cavity (chest, mouth, nasal, sinus). The resonating cavity we have the most control over is the size and shape of our mouth. So play around with the size and shape of the mouth to hear changes in your resonance. With regard to mouth shape, taller is preferred over wider. Free Singing Tip R

S = SING THE STORY. Singing is acting through song. Why sing the song and not convey the message? Get emotionally involved with the lyrics. Figure out what would make you spontaneously speak the words and sing them conviction. Free Singing Tip S

T = THINK SING. The most efficient way to learn a song is actually to NOT sing it right away. By listening to a song you can learn what you are supposed to do a lot faster, without creating any bad habits you are only going to have to break later. If you can think sing a song from beginning to end, anticipating every breath and melody nuance, then you are ready to sing. It’s like a playbook for football. Study the play first before jumping in the game. Not successfully “think singing” the song before you actually sing it is like a ball player running around the field with no idea of the play. Free Singing Tip T

U = UNIFY YOUR VOWELS. You know how you can sing one word on a specific note easily, but another word seems much harder? You could probably use some practice and training on unifying your vowels. The ability to unify your vowels and make them sound as if they come from one instrument, having about the same high and low frequencies and blended with no cracks or breaks is one skill that separates the accomplished singer from an amateur. Free Singing Tip U

V = VOLUME AND POWER. Volume and power should be gained by using the muscles in the back and abdomen. If you are losing your voice after 4-6 songs or if you hear a lot of “effort” in your tone (it doesn’t float in a pure fashion), then you are probably using your throat. Free Singing Tip V

W = WISHING. Wishing your voice was pro quality won’t get it there. You’d be surprised what one hour of specific vocal practice five days a week can do. Sorry, this doesn’t usually apply to singing your favorite songs during commute time or singing the same song over and over again in your bedroom. While you may make some improvement this way, making a productive practice vocal plan would be much more efficient and of course, help you make much faster progress. Free Singing Tip W

X = (E)XERCISE YOUR VOICE REGULARLY. So many singers shy away from actually doing exercises, claiming they can train and warm up by singing their favorite songs. While some professionals will do this in a pinch, most of them train using exercises and warm up their voice prior to performance the same way. Pros know that warm ups will take you through muscle movements that a song never could. Not only will warm ups tell you where you voice is “not awake”, but using them during training can help you develop necessary muscle memory for difficult passages you encounter later. Today it is easy to accomplish these tasks as there are many vocal exercise CDs available and even karaoke style vocal warm ups now available at http://VocalWarmups.com. Here is another quick tip…when you go to sing your song, you should be singing it like you sing the vocal exercises. Most of us will exercise with good placement, support, resonance, etc., but when we add words and our favorite melody all that goes out the window. Work at being consistent. If we were a football quarterback, would we practice throwing the ball one way and then throw it completely differently during a game? I don’t think so. Free Singing Tip X

Y = YOUR STYLE. So many students avoid improving certain mechanical skills because they claim that it is their style. While it is true that certain things a singer does, shape of their mouth, how they pronounce words, etc., contributes to their signature voice… improving how you create your tone will only make your signature voice better. Don’t back away from understanding your voice; learn all you can about your instrument in order to create your best sound. Free Singing Tip Y

Z = ZEN. The show must go on! Sometimes we can’t help but let our emotions and personal life circumstances affect our performances. We are human, after all. However, with practice and meditation you can learn to clear you head and totally focus on connecting with your song and the appropriate emotions of your selection, instead of whatever else was distracting you. Your body language and expression communicate your focus…but it’s your eyes that communicate your thoughts most of all.

Q: Is it OK for me to sing when I have a sore throat?

A: Depending on what's causing it, singing with a sore throat can be catastrophic. I tell my clients, "if it hurts to swallow, don't sing!" Conversely, if it's a mildly soar throat, consult your doctor (it's a good idea to find a good ear, nose, throat specialist in your area and build a relationship with him) and then use your best judgment. Dry air, singing abusively, and viral/bacterial infection are some of the more common causes of a sore throat. Some people just wake up with a sore throat every day of their life. I've found that the majority of those people have acid-reflux, which means they are burping up stomach acids while they are sleeping or sometimes even while they are awake. For most, however, this happens in the night, so they may be completely unaware of the problem. They then wake up with a scratchy, raspy voice and a sore throat. There are numerous web sites directed to the problem of reflux. Let me recommend a couple:

www.texasvoicecenter.com
www1.wfubmc.edu/voice/reflux/

Because a dry throat is often a sore throat, consume two to three quarts of water every day. I actually drink up to a gallon or more a day. If you live in an arid climate, sleep with a humidifier next to your bed and try to warm up your voice in the shower. The moisture is an incredible help for your voice. Also, learn to breathe in through your nose as much as possible. This will help moisten the air before it reaches your cords.

If you get laryngitis and your tone starts to 'skip' or 'cut out' in the middle of a sustained note, you really want to get serious vocal rest. Most of all, ALWAYS consult your physician if things don't clear up rapidly. By this, I mean, if you get a sore throat in the morning and it clears up by noon and doesn't come back (this occasionally happens to me) then there's usually nothing to worry about. Otherwise, call the doctor, because if this condition is medical and you don't get help, no amount of vocal rest will help. I personally prefer herbal immune system remedies, but do what works best for you.

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Q&A with Brett Manning

Q: Aren't voice lessons like pulling teeth? Every lesson I've had was a miserable experience where I was criticized for every little "wrong" thing I did.

A: You are so right. Unfortunately, most voice teachers are still training their students to look and sound like classical singers, using techniques that have nothing to do with developing a contemporary sound. That's why students who don't enjoy older styles of music often find voice lessons frustrating and fruitless. Brett Manning will never stifle your unique sound and style. In fact, the Singing Success Program provides tools and techniques that will allow you to sing with more style. Besides, who wants to listen to someone who sounds like every other "proper" singer?

Q: My voice cracks as I sing higher. Is there any way to get rid of that little break in my voice?

A: What you are experiencing is a "disconnect" between your chest voice and your head, or falsetto, voice. The way to connect these two voices is to develop an ability to blend these two in what is known as the "mixed" voice. This is taught in detail in the Singing Success Program, but there is an exercise that you can try right now.

First, sing up to where your 'break' occurs. Now drop down a couple of notes and sing in a whimpering voice with the word "nay" and gently climb up in you range. If you keep a slight crying sound you'll notice the tone climbing behind your soft palate and settling more into your head voice. All this should happen without breaking. Obviously, it is very difficult to teach this without your ears being employed in the process, but you may still want to give it a try.

Q: Can I improve my tone quality?

A: Tone quality improves when the correct musculature is engaged in the singing process. Feel underneath your chin with your forefinger and slide it inwards to the point where your neck meets the muscles under your chin. Now swallow. Notice how your larynx (Adam's apple) raises up and the muscles under your chin tighten up as you swallow? These muscles that are engaged in the swallowing process are opposed to those engaged in the singing process. The use of these muscles while singing creates a myriad of problems that can take years to correct if left unchecked. For good tone quality, you must learn to sing without the outer muscles of the larynx. Doing so will set free your natural voice, drastically improving tone quality and ease of use. Naturally, the Singing Success Program contains techniques that will help you do this.

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Q&A with Brett Manning

Q: Is it really possible to teach style?

A: Until now, there really has not been a comprehensive system of teaching vocal style. There have been scales played to reflect certain genres, such as the Blues Scale, but that's really not enough. Brett Manning worked with hundreds of brilliant vocal stylists to co-develop training techniques based on their various skills. Using these techniques you can develop style skills so prolific that you'll be able to reinterpret any song you wish into a unique masterpiece. Think of it this way: As a singer, you are the artist and the final "painting" is up to you. Brett Manning's style training just gives you more colors to work with.

Mastering Vibrato by Brett Manning

Also available in SPANISH! Available at: SingerCity.com | SingingSuccess.com

Learn more about Brett Manning by clicking the links above or Brett's dedicated website: SingingSuccess

FREE A2Z SINGING TIPS Written by Nicole LeGault Creator of Song Savvy

A is for Attitude. How many singers does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the world has to revolve around them, ha ha. All kidding aside, being a vocalist is a very courageous and naked way of expressing yourself. If you aren’t open and unashamed, your audience will not be able to develop an empathetic rapport. Free Singing Tip A1

B is for Breath Control. To skillfully control your breath while singing it is required that you relax most muscles, while strenuously exerting others. This is an exercise in coordination that requires concentration and practice – but like anything you’ve done a thousand times, it eventually becomes second nature. Free Singing Tip B1

C is for Criticism. Everyone always has something to say – especially if you ask them! Gravitate towards your fans, disregard those whom you believe may have motive to see you fail. Take to heart constructive criticism you can use to make yourself stronger, and accept the fact that you cannot please all the people all the time. Free Singing Tip C1

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D is for Dynamics. Using dynamics is the art of raising and lowering the volume of your voice to add texture and expression to the sound. This is also known as “color”. You will notice that in popular styles, the voice grows louder with higher notes, and softer with lower notes, with the exception of when falsetto is used. Free Singing Tip D1

E is for Emotion. If the emotional content of the song you’re singing is powerful enough to move you, then allow that emotion to affect the sound of your voice. If it’s not, then you must reach inside your heart and connect with a similar experience of your own. Free Singing Tip E1

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F is for Facial Muscles. For homework, observe your favorite singers in live action. Take note of how they drop their jaw for some sounds, and lift their cheeks up for others… The shape of your mouth will greatly affect the tone and volume of the sound you are creating. Free Singing Tip F1

G is for Grace. When singing, the sound should flow with ease - do not force. Volume comes from the manner in which the sound resonates, and each note has its “happy place”. Even to sing with a raunchy sound is a manner of technique, not force. Free Singing Tip G1

H is for Hoarseness. The vocal cords are very delicate, and improper use of them will cause bruising, and if repetitive, calluses. When damaged, the vocal cords loose their elasticity causing a reduced ability to produce clear tones, limitation of range, and a great deal of stress for the performing singer. Free Singing Tip H1

I is for Imagery. When you are describing through song an event, an emotion, an experience, your surroundings, specific people, etc… you must have a clear vision in your mind’s eye of the images you are describing. If you neglect to do this, the words will seem to have no meaning. Free Singing Tip I1

J is for Jabberwocky. When you are composing lyrics, don’t forget that nonsensical words, sounds, and scat are legitimate prose. La la la, do do do, bottle op’ botten doh, bottle op bop ‘n bayden day dow dow… Free Singing Tip J1

K is for Karaoke! Karaoke is a great stepping stone between practicing as a beginner, and auditioning for a real gig. You’re a star on stage with a professional P.A. system, and there is no pressure at all not to make mistakes! Free Singing Tip K1

L is for Larynx. The vocal cords are not really cords at all - they’re more like flaps which stick out horizontally from the sides of your windpipe. The vocal folds vibrate in accordance to their length, mass and tension using “tensor muscles”. Free Singing Tip L1

M is for Music. It is my opinion that a singer is only as good as the song that he/she is singing. You must choose your material wisely; you would be surprised at how it alters people’s perception of your voice. Free Singing Tip M1

N is for Name. What’s in a name? Lots if you’re a singer! You know how there are just some names you remember easily, and some you don’t? Many musicians have “stage names”, also known as “pseudonyms” (“pen names” are for authors). You do not need to legally change your name; it is extremely common and accepted for musicians to have an a.k.a. if they so desire. Free Singing Tip N1

O is for Observation. Decide which vocalists you most admire, and then observe their technique. Visually, you will see how they use their physicality, and how they present themselves on stage. Audibly, you will hear what perhaps they are doing differently, and how you can improve your own technique. Free Singing Tip O1

P is for Projection. Projection is the art of pushing the sound (via the air) up, and forward, and away from you. Singers, actors, and public speakers do it. “Reach for the back row”. Remember that even when your voice is going down in pitch and in volume, the projection always moves up and forward and away – because it is your directly related to your airflow. Free Singing Tip P1

Q is for Quench. When I’m recognized in public as a vocal coach, a lot of people ask first: “What should I drink”? I tell them that if they’re singing properly, it doesn’t matter much what they drink. I prefer to avoid caffeine, because I don’t like the crash that follows the artificial stimulation. Avoid hard liquor, it burns going down and the fumes may irritate. Avoid dairy products, they may help generate phlegm. Other than that, just try to remain hydrated and fueled – I like to drink spring water and fruit juice. When consuming carbonated beverages, be sure that you can keep your burping under control! It can be embarrassing, especially during ballads. Free Singing Tip Q1

R is for Range. You are not born with your range, you can increase it. If you cannot touch your toes, try every day to touch your toes - and you will touch your toes. Your range can be stretched in the same manner (using proper technique!!!) and likewise, if you don’t use your full range regularly, it will shrink back. Free Singing Tip R1

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S is for Style. Placement (bass & treble, etc…), singing raunchy or raspy (without going hoarse!), vibrato, and falsetto are all stylistic techniques that can be learned, developed and mastered. Why not be versatile as possible? Free Singing Tip S1

T is for Talent. Talent? I believe that talent is an illusion that only people who’ve practiced a great deal will ever possess. I have students who practice regularly, and students who don’t – the difference is abundantly clear. Adhere to a structured practice regiment and you will be “talented” too! Free Singing Tip T1

U is for Undaunted. People often take their singing ambitions very seriously, and then along comes some person of authority who says “It’s unrealistic to think you’ll ever be a professional” for whatever reason. Think for a moment and try to come up with the names of five superstars to whom this person would be likely to say the same thing! Free Singing Tip U1

V is for Visualization. Many vocal coaches use visualization techniques for the placement and projection of the sound. For one example, if you imagine the sound appearing out of nowhere above and just in front of you, you can aim more accurately with your pitch (no fading, or “dipping” into the note) and from there, project it away from you (pushing with your diaphragm). Project in a outwardly round manner for a fuller sound. Free Singing Tip V1

W is for Warm Up! I would not be caught dead singing without warming up first. You go to hit a note… and a different one comes out! Your delicate little vocal folds were not made to go from 0 to 60 in three seconds. You must stretch them to their full range gently and gradually. Free Singing Tip W1

Y is for Yak and Yell. Once you have developed your skill with regard to using your voice without damaging it, use this technique in your daily life. If you speak a great deal, or need to project your voice in a noisy environment, or cheer at a concert, scream on a roller coaster, shout instructions at a sports event, argue with your family, etc… you must preserve your voice with skill - or it won’t be there when you need it to sing! Free Singing Tip Y1

Z is for Zeal. If you’re a performer, then you must be zealous in all your endeavors. From the preparatory and organizational phases, to the performance – your enthusiasm and ardor will be a key factor. If you’re tired and you need to sing 30 songs now, pretend you’re not tired! Good luck, and have fun!!! Free Singing Tip Z1

Most popular A2Z Free Singing Tip set from 2007

A = Airflow.  Never hold your breath while singing.  The airflow is what creates and carries your vocal tone, so keep it flowing.  Avoid Clavicular Breathing and Belly Breathing -- instead, learn the proper way to breathe for singing, called  diaphragmatic breathing. Fill the lower portion of your lungs as if you had an inner tube around your waist that you were evenly filling.Free Singing T

B = Breathing properly for singing requires the shoulders to remain down and relaxed, not rise with the breath intake.  A singer will gain power to their voice by strengthening the muscles in their ribcage and back. 

Like what you are reading? Get quick easy to understand audio instructions and exercises.
Great to use in your car! Includes Free exercise booklet.

Available at: MySingingExercises.com | YouCanSingWithImpact.com | SingerCity.comFree Singing Tip B

C = Communicate the music's message.   During performance it is very important to communicate the message of the song.   If you make a "mistake" don't point it out to your audience. It is most likely they did not even notice.  Free Singing Tip C

D = Diaphragmatic Support.   Develop the strength and coordination of the diaphragm and become a pro at controlling the speed of the airflow released, the quantity of the airflow released and the consistency of the airflow released.

E = Elasticity of the Vocal Folds. The vocal tone is created as airflow bursts through the cleft of the vocal cords causing them to vibrate/oscillate.  The vocal folds can lose elasticity due to misuse, lack of use and/or increase of age.  Be sure to train your voice with vocal exercises on a regular basis to keep your voice in shape.  Fre

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F = Free your natural voice.  Don't be a slave to any music style -- even your favorite one.  Learn to sing with your full and natural voice by developing your vocal strength and coordination.  Then add stylistic nuances to achieve any singing style you desire.  Free Singing Tip F

G = Guessing Games.  Never guess the pitch you are about to sing.  Hear the note in your head before you open your mouth. Free Singing Tip G

H = High notes require consistent and steady airflow. Many students tend to hold their breath as they sing higher. Let the air flow. Try increasing your airflow and gauge your result. Free Singing Tip H

I = Increase your breathing capacity and control by doing breathing exercises every day.  Be sure to avoid patterned breathing.  Singers must negotiate phrase lengths of all different sizes, so it is important to be versatile.  Free Singing Tip I

8 1/2 Minute Contemporary Vocal Warmup. Great for all ages!

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J = Jumping Jacks.  If you are having trouble getting your body completely involved with singing, try doing some cardiovascular activities, like jumping jacks, for a few minutes before getting started again.  Sometimes your instrument simply needs an airflow wake-up call. Free Singing Tip J

K = Know your limits. Don't sing too high or too low.  Don't sing to the point of vocal fatigue.  Never strain or push your voice.  Doing so will not result in a higher or lower singing range, or a stronger voice, only a voice that has suffered undue stress. Free Singing Tip K

L = Low notes are often sung with too much airflow. Try decreasing your airflow to achieve a more natural, more relaxed tone.Free Singing Tip L

M = Mirror.  Training in front of a mirror can help a singer discover many things about their instrument, as well as confirm that other actions are being done correctly.  Be sure to rely on a mirror during vocal training, but be able to leave the mirror to face an audience. Free Singing Tip M

N = Never sing if it hurts to swallow. Free Singing Tip N

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O = Open your mouth wider. Nine times out of ten this will help you achieve a stronger, more defined vocal tone. Free Singing Tip O

P = Prepare your instrument before singing.  Singers are very much like athletes.  Take care of your body/instrument by stretching out the vocal muscles and relieving the body of unnecessary tension before singing. Singing Tip P

Q = Quit smoking. Quit talking too loudly.  Quit talking too much. Free Singing Tip Q

R = Raise the Soft Palate.  Creating a larger space inside your mouth by raising the soft palate, or fleshy part of the back of our throat, helps achieve a deeper more well rounded singing tone. Free Singing Tip R

S = Sing through the vocal breaks.  If you do not teach the muscles the necessary actions to sing through the trouble spots, success will never be achieved.  Sing through it, sing through it again, and again.... Free Singing Tip S

T = Tone Placement.  Learning the facts about tone placement and resonance make a huge difference in the abilities of a singer.  In simple terms, a singer has numerous body cavities (nasal cavity, chest cavity, etc.) and amplifiers (bones, ligaments, etc.) that act as resonators.  Focusing the vocal tone through the proper resonating chamber with the proper support is important with regard to controlling and developing your personal sound.  Singing Tip T

EVEN MORE FREE
SINGING TIPS!

U = Unique Voice Under Construction.  Remember that your voice has its own unique fingerprint and is constantly changing with our actions, environment, health habits, etc.  With this in mind, listen to your own voice often and use vocal training tools to keep your voice on the right track. Free Singing Tip U

V = Vibrato. Vibrato is a natural or forced fluctuation of a singing tone.  Do not concentrate on learning how to sing with vibrato.  Instead, concentrate on the basic foundations of singing, breathing and support.  When the proper coordination is achieved, vibrato will occur naturally. Free Singing Tip V

W = Water.  Water.  Water.  Drink room temperature water as often as you can to keep hydrated.  If you only have cold or hot water available, swish it around in your mouth for a moment.  This action will keep related muscles from being startled or stressed by different temperatures.   Free Singing Tip W

Y = You Can Sing with Impact!  Exercise your voice daily with contemporary voice lesson products.  Don't Just Sing when You Can Sing with Impact! 
   Free Singing Tip Y

Z = Zzzzzzzz.  Be sure to get your rest.  If you are tired, your voice will show it.  A tired body/instrument will not allow you to produce your best possible sound.
Free Singing Tip Z

The free singing tips above were written by Vocal Coach Yvonne DeBandi, creator of the revolutionary vocal training method, Sing Smart, Not Hard™ and author of the highly acclaimed vocal training programs: Singing Is Easy!, You Can Sing with Impact!, and Affordable Singing Lessons. Visit the dedicated website at SingSmart.com.

MORE FREE SINGING TIPS Singing With Power written by Jeannie Deva

SINGING with POWER
By Jeannie Deva

Can you use it and not lose it? As you may know from experience, powerful singing is a style that often seems accompanied by its own punishment - strain, hoarseness, laryngitis, throat discomfort, loss of upper range, or a frequent need to "clear your throat." In severe cases, the result can be nodes or polyps, (nodes: calluses on the inner rims of; polyps: blisters on the tops or undersides of the vocal folds), which are painful and restrictive of singing. Metal and Rock singers often have the attitude that training will make them sound too “pretty.” So not knowing what else to do, they tough it on their own, canceling gigs, sessions and parts of tours.

Does singing powerfully automatically mean that you will wreck your voice? The good news is that it's not what sounds you make, but how you make them that will save your voice! Through over 35 years of my own vocal performance, research and coaching others, I've found there are techniques that allow you to sing any style you want and without the bad effects.

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Vocal blow-out stems from external as well as internal conditions. The main external conditions are: late hours, insufficient rest, bad nutrition, alcohol, drugs, smoky clubs, PA and monitor problems, incorrect microphone design for your voice, and competing with band volume (sigh). The key factor, however, is internal: improper use of your vocal instrument when singing powerfully. To scope this out and get a handle on it, an understanding of your instrument is necessary.

Vocal Basics
Vocal sound, as you may already know, is the result of the vibration of your vocal folds. (You may know them as "vocal cords," but they're not cords and that's not their actual name.) The inside of your throat has two vertical tubes; one positioned in front of the other. The tube in front is for air, while the one for swallowing runs behind it, more in the center of your throat. Your two vocal folds are positioned just behind your Adam's apple and lie horizontally across the inside of your air tube. They are coated with mucous membrane, and come equipped with their own tuning pegs, which are connected to the back ends of the folds.

The folds remain open during regular breathing. But for every sound you make, the tuning pegs automatically pivot and assist in closing the folds. With each sound you decide to make, the muscles of the folds prepare and adjust by stretching, thinning and closing them to varying degrees. The production of higher pitches requires less air, and for the folds to stretch, thin and close more. For low notes, the reverse is true. The principle involved is similar to the strings on a guitar.

Examining the Problem

To produce vocal sound, air is released from your lungs and vibrates your stretched and closed vocal folds. If you push too much air up against and through the folds, too much pressure is created. The muscles of your folds will tighten, your throat muscles tense, and your problems begin. Many singers unconsciously associate tension with big emotion and hard singing. For your sound to be big, just the opposite is needed. The louder and harder your sound, the more resonance is needed. If your throat and tongue tighten or your mouth closes, you shut down your acoustic chamber and there goes the resonance. The stress created by the push of excess air pressure and muscle tension can cause an irritation and swelling of your folds.

Self Test

Try saying the word "how." Put extra emphasis on the "H" as you do so. Now sing the word in the same way.

Notice how pushing on the "H" makes your throat feel and your voice sound. Sing the word again, and this time, as you sustain the tone, form the "W." Decide if you like this outcome. Now try singing it with minimal air on the "H" and instead, emphasizing the "O" (which will sound more like an "Ah" when you sing it). Notice the result. This should feel and sound better.

Vowel sounds originate from the vibration of your vocal folds. Consonants are created with an exhaled air stream and are formed by your mouth. If stressed, consonants will push out too much air and tense the muscles in your throat and mouth. This condition makes it difficult for your voice to work well. In response, your may find yourself additionally tightening throat and tongue muscles in a fight to make the note. This will produce strain, choke your