Singing

Vocal lessons, voice improvement

Exercises for improving singing and useful tips on making your musical performance better

• Please breath between musical phrases

 Don’ try to sing whole song on one breath. Take your time. You are on the stage and there is no need to rush. Between musical phrases we need to take breath, in the same natural way, as we take breath when we speak, whether it is a singing lesson or real performance on a stage

For example 2-3, maximum 4 words you sing, then you  should breath, 2-3 words and again you breath.. etc. This gives natural fluency to the vocal breathing and to the performance, plus, in this way, it is so easy to be more expressive with different colours in your voice. Breathing in the right moment will make sure you don’t strangulate your voice and  don’t create unnecessary tension in the area of your throat. The way you inhale and exhale is described in my previous BLOG. “Chi sa respirare- sa cantare” , which means in Italian literally, “who knows how to breath- knows how to sing”..it has been said by old masters of Italian Belcanto school. Time and experience show me that this applies to all types of singing ( rock music, country music, pop music etc)

•It’s good  to deliver the message of the song not only through the voice , but through the following tools of expression: face, body language, arms, hands, eyes.

 I  suggest to experiment with each of the “ tools” I have mentioned above.

Remember, it’s very useful to experiment with facial expression during the performance. This will help you easily to reflect the way you feel in the very moment. 

For example, If it is a sad song, I suggest to create in your imagination a variety of different types of sadness: 

1.Sadness with element of  hope

2. Sadness with element of grief

3. Sadness , but no regret

4. Sadness with element of joy

Etc

It’s just an example..  There are dozens of other variations.  More clear vision you have in your head- better your face and body will respond during the performance.. The same kind of varieties you could give to other types of feelings. It’s important to be inventive and brave to experiment when you sing.. 

Seriously, if painter before he starts to paint, is mixing all his paints and then later he starts putting them on a paper, why can’t we then prepare our thoughts, different kind of emotions before we start singing?

Ultimately, audience wants to believe in your story, if it doesn’t happen, what’s the point of your singing on the stage?

These are the first steps in building truly a professional approach towards  a great musical performance.

Efficient exercises which will definitely  work and will help improve your singing

  • Experiments with tempos and mood will bring extraordinary result. I saw it many times. 
  •  EXERCISE “Close your eyes”

Singing with closed eyes will be a very unusual experience for you, but believe me, in this way, you will be able to concentrate on the sound like never before. As a result, you can improve significantly pitch of your voice and give more colours to your voice.

  • EXERCISE “” SEAT AND SING” 

Try to sing the song while you are seating: relax your legs and arms, concentrate on your vocal breathing, support of the diaphragm and  make sure there is no tension in the area of your throat.

  • EXERCISE “WALL” 

Stand with your back next to the wall, put both hands on the wall. Find the object to concentrate in front of  you, just on the level of your eyes and sing.

Sing your song  and make sure that the only  elements are involved:

Your mind

Your vocal cords

Support of your diaphragm 

Good space in the area of your throat and no tension neither in your neck, nor in your lower jaw and your tongue

In such way, you easily create a moment of vocal awareness, which you will remember. Very often artists  being on the stage, experience state of anxiety and totally lose themselves and don’t feel  being grounded.. It is good to be “ here and now” when you perform. The suggested exercise will help you to solve the problem. The level of control will be much much higher. 

  • MIRROR

It’s good to have a mirror in front of you, while you are standing with your back next to the wall ( preferably, which will show whole height) , so you can see all the changes happening at the very moment.

When you sing/speak in front of the mirror, it’s important to explore a big range of characters: fragile/strong, fearless/shy, suspicious/ naive, happy/sad etc..in this way, you will learn so much about your voice and will have so many new opportunities to express yourself as an artist. Look at your reflection, try to correct what you see- yes, you can DO IT AND  CAN IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE AS A RESULT,significantly 

In fact, whole body should become an instrument through which artist/performer is  delivering “ the thought(s)”

Try to do this exercises at least, few times. The difference will be obvious 

  • LYRICS 

Please  work on the lyrics of your song

Simply print it out, take deep breath and read through it .. slowly.. with quite voice.. try to get to the very essence of words.. if anything needs to be translated- do it.. each word, step by step ( only in this way, brain will have a clear image attached to the word and will create the strongest neuron connections related to the lyrics).  Yes, scientist found out  that we have billions and billions of neurones in our brain but what really matters is how strong is the connection between those neurones..More thorough work is done on the text- deeper you will get to  the essence of what the author was trying to say, deeper and stronger will be neurones connection which will lead you to the excellent performance. Slowly, in this way, you are building up your artistic ( public speaker, performer) confidence on subconscious level.

Try to explore: who was the author of the text, why did he write it, what have inspired him? More willingness to explore you have, more questions will appear in your head and more answers you will find out.

Have a mirror in front of yourself. Say the words of the songs and involve your arms and hands ( trying to deliver message of the song also through arms/hands). Imagine that you are just speaking  to someone, sharing your story.

This is what truly gives you more strength, not just multiple repetitions and attempts  to sing the song. I would even say, try to become a poet before you are a singer. Good knowledge of words ( prepared in the way I’ve just suggested) will inevitably bring you to a new level.

How to breathe well while you are singing and not to force your voice

It is often the case that after a long performance or intensive singing lesson we feel tired, we can hardly speak and it is clear that vocal rest is needed.

Of course, it’s the right thing to do. But what if you will optimise the singing process ? Putting in less effort, reducing air pressure which makes our vocal chords moving and not forcing the voice will give you opportunity to sing much longer without being tired.

All that we need to do is to have a clear idea what words we need to sing, sending a clear message from the brain to vocal chords and using air wisely.

I would compare it with the opening the door:

Whether you press handle vigorously or gently- The final result will be an opened door. The same happens with your voice.

We need to use a specific pressure of air for different notes in singing, but as soon as you have created a right note, what’s the point to give even more weight towards your vocal folds?

It’s important to admit that as soon as your pressure of air becomes higher than it is needed for a specific note, we start, as they say, to “force” the voice and as a result, you feel that your voice is tired.

• Video of vocal folds involved in a singing process

Please watch how our vocal folds work (photo/video). Please note that vocal folds are staying on the same level (typically, we think that they move up and down)

 

The vital question is how you control the pressure of air and how you manage your cords?

All that we need is well-organised air which is going through these cords and clear command/message of your mind which is sent to your vocal folds.

‘Befriend” your diaphragm – before we do this, diaphragm acts itself without us asking it to do the job, all is done by the subconscious mind itself. The moment we start to involve core muscles and diaphragm we start to feel general control over the muscle activity during the singing

Have a look at Seth Riggs & Michael Jackson singing lessons

Listen to a singing lesson of Michael Jackson who is working on his vocal technique with vocal coach Seth Riggs.  You can hear clearly how much importance his singing teacher gives to vocal breathing. I think Michael Jackson had a great vocal technique and singers could learn a lot from him.

In the end, I need to summarise:

-do not push the voice

–be clear with consonants and vowels ( vocal folds need a clear message in order to deliver the best result)

– use “belting”, activate your core muscles, mainly, when you sing in a high range of your voice

It will help you to save your voice and not to feel tired.

Singing lessons in London. Private vocal coach

My interview to HUFFPOST UK Positive impact of singing on our life.

Singing lessons ion London with vocal coach

Improve your singing

Huffingtonpost.co.uk ( HUFFPOST ) has recently interviewed me regarding the positive impact of singing lessons in terms of coping with low mood, with mild and moderate depression and moreover, how singing can help women recover more quickly from postnatal depression. Singing lessons will definitely boost your nervous and immune system and give you the “feel good ” factor and raise the level of endorphins in the brain. One doesn’t need to have “the voice” or “talent” to sing – one needs the passion, one needs the wish to be happy, one needs to exteriorise the inner emotions,” to let go”, to allow the free movement of the diaphragm, as much as allowing the movement of free thoughts and emotions. This is all incorporated in my singing lessons. “Healing”, “happiness” and the ability to express is what you get through singing sessions.

Thank you Amy Packham and HUFFPOST for exploring such an important subject.

“Whether it’s a banker who is seeking a form of mental relaxation, a teenager who feels uncertain about himself or a mum tired of daily obligations – after the first session, 99% of my pupils break all the psychological barriers and feel happy about themselves, uplifted, energised and focused,” he told HuffPost UK.

“In my opinion, during the postnatal period, even humming without any words with a closed mouth will uplift your energy. You can simply vocalise some easy scales or try to sing together with your favourite singer. Do not go for technically difficult songs.

“Good choices for new parents would be ‘Amazing Grace’ or ‘Dreamed A Dream’ from Les Mis. Many of Elton John’s songs are great to sing as well. If you like jazz, songs from Billie Holiday’s repertoire will also be great.

“The main idea behind is that you focus on the text and the melody. I assure you the magic of singing will bring the most joyful result.”

Here is the link to the full article on huffingtonpost.co.uk :

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/singing-boosts-postnatal-depression_uk_5a535b83e4b01e1a4b176558?9wi

Sing better, lear the rules of good vocal breathing

It is time to talk about your diaphragm

 

I trust nowadays singers don’t give too much attention to a such valuable part of the singers “mechanism” as diaphragm.

I am delighted to share with you these brilliant videos where you can clearly see how powerful diaphragm is as a muscle and how significantly it can change size of our lungs and whole process of singing generally.

Please have a look.

The mechanism of breathing

3D model of diaphragm

Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique

Advice regarding freedom in singing

My advice regarding freedom in your singing:

In the very beginning of trying to explore our vocal potential, it is essential to completely exclude the movement of shoulders whilst we are breathing. The majority of vocal teachers of the past emphasised the importance of involving the lower part of the lungs in the process of breathing for singers. From the point of view of human physiology it can be easily explained – lungs become wider at the bottom. If we do not breath “low”, firstly we will use only 50% of our potential in terms of oxygen. Secondly, it is simply impossible to then support our lungs and breath properly with the diaphragm (the muscles just under the lungs).

It is important to mention that after passing this stage you will face another obstacle – to find the right resonance for your voice. Release tension in your tongue, which is quite a strong muscle. Tension can affect your voice.

It takes time to find your own voice. You need to be true to yourself. It is so important not to give your voice extra weight or to have it too light. You will need to find the balance – ” chiaro scuro” , as Italian masters say ( light and dark). A sound that has a balance of overtones will fly, and will also allow singers built up a good vocal range.