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Let’s develop your vocal technique that’s specific to your current needs and singing goals, as you navigate the most effective ways to sing “crossover” between your favorite genres!
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Yes, there is a safe way to sing with a “twangy mixed-voice” for “high belting” technique, which is used all the time in pop, rock, musical theatre, jazz, soul, etc. It’s all about how you start your sound (phonation): how much air you exhale with (breath management), closely coordinated with how firmly the vocal folds close together to create the first sound (onsets).
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I truly believe that just like any other instrument, everyone can learn to sing well when they devote sufficient time and have helpful guidance from a trained voice professional. It’s essential to understand the scientific basics behind how the vocal tract functions, in order to learn how to self-correct when you want to change how something sounds (the subject of “vocal pedagogy”). During lessons, we’ll focus on finding and memorizing your specific physical sensations while singing, which creates natural resonance (sound vibrations) in your head and body. We’ll then pair your newfound scientific knowledge to your unique resonance sensations, in order to become a consistent singer who can be heard without a microphone and without hurting your voice!
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I record and upload my vocal exercises specific to each student’s current technical needs, which is always available in their online student portal to practice with. A good teacher can always explain why you’re assigned an exercise – otherwise how will you know when you’re singing it correctly vs. incorrectly?
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I incorporate music theory, aural skills, and sight-singing into our lessons, as it’s crucial for any singer’s confidence to be able to independently learn new music scores. Rather than starting with the traditional method of note-naming, it’s more important for singers to immediately understand the major scale and memorize their intervals (the distance between 2 notes). This makes it much easier to understand the notes on the staff, when you can already hear the interval names in your head!
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I’m pretty easy-going regarding song selection, as I won’t assign a song to a student that he/she/they doesn’t actually like. I’ve found that my students are much more likely to practice and reach their true potential when they feel a strong emotional connection to their chosen repertoire. I therefore highly encourage song suggestions from my students, and double-check it’s an appropriate range and technical level for their current ability. A song is too hard to work on if you can’t already easily sing at least 80% of it; otherwise it’s easy to become frustrated and lose confidence, slowing down your progress.
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I have a variety of songbooks available to my students, and will soon make my entire music library easy to browse online. Students are welcome to purchase and bring in music scores of their choosing, with my prior approval, in order to ensure appropriateness for vocal ability and age (lyrical content).
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I also coach my students for their upcoming auditions and performances, where we discuss in-depth the song’s character, settings, circumstances, plus the emotions you hope to portray to your audience. A successful performer, or “singing actor” in this case, evokes emotion from their audience. Making simple performance choices in advance as an artist, such as eye gaze direction, “blocking” out any planned movements, and having focal points can immensely help a nervous performer feel prepared and really sing their best!
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For practice at home (or in the car, or anywhere!), I recommend spending 10-30 minutes, 4-5 days/week. Practicing frequently is crucial for a developing singer, rather than focusing on the total time practiced, which works for all other instruments. It’s important to be careful and not over-practice some days, which is tempting to do, but you should always stop singing for the day when you can feel when your voice is tired – and you’ll feel it. It doesn’t take long to cause minor vocal damage when singing unsafely, which then needs 1-2 days of vocal rest to heal before resuming practice. Because the voice is the most intimate of all instruments, that inevitably changes day to day depending on your body’s current state, I make sure to regularly discuss vocal health needs, and address them when needed.
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With consistent practice, I expect my students to be able to understand basic music terminology, perform aural skills “a cappella” based on the major scale, as well as have a clear understanding of healthy singing techniques within their preferred genre(s). Under my guidance, my confident vocal artists will be ready to perform their favorite songs for their family, at karaoke with friends, or for your next audition to land that dream role!
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Let’s develop new techniques specific to your needs and goals, as you navigate the most effective ways to sing “crossover” between your favorite genres! Yes, there is a safe way to sing with a “twangy mixed-voice” technique for “high belting,” used all the time in pop, rock, musical theatre, etc. It’s all about how you start your sound (phonation): how much air you exhale with, closely coordinated with how firmly the vocal folds close together for the first time (onsets).
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Did you know 30% of adults, and over 50% of teachers, experience a voice disorder in their lifetime? To help break the stigma, I’d like to share that I personally experienced vocal damage a few years ago, caused by an asthma drug I took for only 3 months (Breo), which quickly limited my ability to sing to only 15-20 minutes everyday. I noticed early on and sent myself to the ENT to get a laryngoscopy, which found “pre-nodular swelling” on both vocal folds – thankfully the earliest stage of vocal damage. I worked with an amazing voice therapist from the Mayo Clinic, so I’m tuned in on how to listen for signs of vocal damage or fatigue, and how to help your voice heal as quickly as possible thereafter.
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However, if you currently have signs of vocal damage but haven’t been checked out or treated yet, you must get a laryngoscopy before we continue lessons, so we know the safest approach forward. I’ve personally experienced that having a strong technical foundation not only makes singing in any genre possible, but ensures healthy singing habits for life, even after vocal damage. I am 100% committed to helping my students learn to easily navigate their unique voice and share it with the world!