FREE SINGING TIPS
By Vocal Coach Yvonne DeBandi
With
so many vocal coaches now able to offer their services and information
on the internet, there is a lot of voice lesson material and a
lot of different teaching styles to choose from. Don't let yourself
get overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge, or the amount of conflicting
information. Approach singing the way you would any other topic
you wanted to learn more about. Pick at least two or three vocal
education programs from different authors on the same subject
and begin to study and work with them.
Once
you get started and the information you are studying begins to sink
in, begin experimenting with your voice. Careful! Don't try too
hard. Singing should be easy. Our bodies were designed to naturally
create and amplify sounds, and the size and shape of our resonating
cavities (and how we use them) is what gives us our own unique sound.
Before you try sounding like your favorite recording artist, work
to find your voice - your pure and natural voice. This
is easily done by singing a simple "ah". Using this
simple syllable work to apply the different concepts, ideas and
techniques you have read about in your voice lesson training material.
From breathing to tone creation, from tone placement to mastering
resonance.
- Use
your ears. What do you hear? Does it sound good to you?
-
Use your eyes (and a mirror). Are you relaxed? Singing should
be (and look) easy.
-
Use your body. Are you supporting with your full instrument
and airflow system?
-
Use your head. Are you thinking the notes in your head before
you sing them?
HOT
TIP: You should feel very little and pay little
attention to the actual movement and workings of your larynx or
surrounding tissues. Concentrating on these areas tends to promote
more tension, which is contrary to good vocal production. Instead,
concentrate on accomplishing the other mechanics of singing (breathing,
proper tone creation, support, etc.). Everything else generally
falls right into place without specific attention.
Take
the ideas you read about and (without straining or pushing your
voice) try to take them to each extreme. For instance, if you
are working on tone creation, practice making every single kind
of tone - from nasal to rich and warm, from thin sounding to full
sounding. Figuring out the physical actions it takes to make these
different (and sometimes technically incorrect) tones, will also
help you figure out how to correct them when they occur during
performance. Our voices change over time, so learn to manipulate
your overall vocal tone from the very beginning.
Once
you have the understanding of the various actions that cause the
changes in your singing tone, look for the balance that suits
you both mechanically and stylistically. That balance is your
goal. With the foundation of a pure and natural tone, and the
proper state of balance, you can safely manipulate and adjust
your singing voice to perform any vocal style like a pro.
Shape
your sound through good vocal habits, proper experimentation and
regular vocal exercise. Sing
Smart, not Hard™
Known
for her innovative training style, Yvonne DeBandi graduated from
the Florida State University School of Music, magna cum laude,
and is a member of NATS, National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Get started today and be the best singer you can be with DeBandi's
"Sing
Smart, Not Hard™" Vocal Training Series! Hard
copies (Book/CDs) also available.) |
