Skill One: Dynamics Crescendo means to get louder, and decrescendo/diminuendo means to get softer. We want to be able to do either of these without adding extrinsic interfering muscle. Increasing volume requires “just enough and not too much” increased air pressure and a corresponding increase in vocal fold tension. Decreasing volume involves a decrease in…
When we discuss breathing we must include posture. Without the correct posture for singing breath management is impossible. For optimal singing the chest must be high, the shoulders relaxed and back, and the body aligned. the head should be comfortably back (gently moving toward the back wall), the neck log, the knees slightly bent to…
Most of the students who come to us are interested only in singing popular music – which is often sadly limited to what they are exposed to on the radio and T.V. This is totally understandable. I remember starting voice lessons as a young teen and being very disappointed that my teacher had no idea…
Continue learning about the different styles of singing in the third part of our series “Singing Authentically in Every Style”. Before you start reading Part III, refresh yourself on Part I and Part II. Pop Style Pop is short for popular, the style of music that most of the general public tends to listen to…
Practicing singing in different vocal styles will help you to develop a unique style of your own and will widen your scope of potential paying gigs as a singer. Learn how to sing authentically in every style with advice from Sing Like a Star! Listen to singers in various vocal styles: R & B Country Pop…
Once you have learned the basic elements of good vocal production and have learned the basic components of improvisation, the best way to improve your library of potential style elements is imitation. Just as we learned to speak as babies by imitating single words, then phrases, eventually learning to creatively form our own sentences, we…
Effective practice involves reflection and self-analysis. Effective practice is consistent, focused practice. It is not a “warm-up”- it is deliberate, intentional, goal-driven hard work. Vocal practice should be a part of every day, at the same time every day if at all possible, with one day per week off for rest and recovery. This is…
To avoid losing your voice or harming your vocal folds, you should consult the list below and take it seriously. It will take self-control, but in the end, like everything else, the hard work will pay off. Avoid drinking alcohol, even wine. These harmful drinks are dehydrating and may affect the mucosa of the vocal…
What is stage fright and how can it be avoided? I believe that when a singer is at all insecure about whether or not their voice will work under pressure, they become anxious about exposing themselves to public scrutiny. Without a solid foundation of vocal technique, stepping into the limelight and risking possible humiliation if…
So, you’ve seen one of the many television shows such as American Idol, The Voice, or The X-Factor, and you have decided that singing is your passion. You would like to someday be on one of these shows, or perhaps touring the world with a band of your own. You go out one evening and…
