Here is some guidance for when to seek medical advice. Watch more great top tips from the rest of the V team on the Vocalzone Channel
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Category: Singing
You know you don’t need to be a music theory buff to be able to change the key of your songs. In this post is a link below to a PDF cheat sheet to make the job easier. If you have sheet music or a chord chart and want to sing the song in a higher […]
Touring and the singer
Posted on Categories: Education, General Health, Inspiration, Performance Skills, Performing Arts, Performing Arts Medicine, Personal Development, Practice techniques, Singers, Singing, Top Tips, Vocal HealthNot so long ago I received an email from a singer by the name of Vanessa Murray. She was gathering information to help her with her MA dissertation on the topic of how touring affects the voice. I thought you might find this information of use too so have published the answers I gave her […]
Did you know not all doctors are equal when it comes to the singing voice?
Posted on Categories: General Health, Performing Arts Medicine, Singers, Singing, Vocal Health, Vocal medicineIt seems more and more singers are developing voice problems as they embark on their singing careers. Several recent famous examples include Adele, Sam Smith, Jess Glynne and John Mayer. In this video, Dr. Steven Zeitels talks about surgery like Adele’s and the use of voice in the modern day. Unlike the elite singer, most of […]
Do pop/rock singers need vocal technique?
Posted on Categories: Artist development, Singing, Talent Development, Vocal techniquesOver the years I’ve been teaching and working in the music industry I have never really got to the bottom of why, as a whole, contemporary singers don’t think they need vocal technique or training. That is until it’s almost too late, the damage is done, the tour cancelled, gig lost, money rescinded and confidence […]
Vocal care DOs and DON’Ts
Posted on Categories: General Health, Singers, Singing, Slider, Top Tips, Vocal HealthGood vocal care is not rocket science. Some simple and practical adjustments and considerations will ensure your voice stays in good form for the hard work you put it through when you sing. Here is my Do’s and Don’ts list for good vocal care. DO + Keep well-hydrated 1-1.5l/day. More if energy output increases or […]
OMG it’s TMJD! Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and the singer
Posted on Categories: General Health, Performing Arts Medicine, Singing, Vocal HealthI recently had a question from a teacher who was concerned one of her students had Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) as her jaw clicks and dislocates when she sings on an AH sound. These symptoms could be due to TMJD as common symptoms are jaw joint clicking, pain, joint locking and/or limited movement of the joint. […]
6 strategies to overcome stage fright aka performance anxiety
Posted on Categories: Performance anxiety, Performance Skills, Performing Arts Medicine, Singing, Slider, Top TipsHave you ever found yourself in front of an audience with your knees shaking and sweat trickling down your temple? Maybe you want to throw up, or suddenly there’s not enough air in the room. You may feel like your mouth is as dry as a sandy desert and your voice, normally controlled and strong […]
Sing and See: How to improve your intonation (pitch) and vocal tone
Posted on Categories: Education, Learning Strategies, Practice techniques, Singing, Technology, Vocal techniquesMy students and I have been having fun exploring vocal intonation recently with a computer programme called Sing and See. We’ve also noticed a marked improvement in tone and pitching when using this nifty bit of software. This revolutionary software that gives real-time feedback when singing! The software SHOWS your precise pitch and vocal timbre as […]
I am very excited about this summer as I am off to Poland for the first time to teach and hang out with a bunch of singers who want to work on their voices and learn more about different styles. I can’t think of a better way to get to know another country and culture than […]