Singing FAQS
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New Questions Added! See below....
1. What is the secret to good singing?
Good singing or good singing technique? As for "technique", there is no secret. A balanced larynx and medium vocal cord closure are the key to good vocal technique. Accomplishing this, however, can be tricky sometimes. It's vital to work with a teacher that knows how to get you through your "bridges" while maintaining cord closure and muscle isolation. Once this is happening, the larynx will begin to relax naturally allowing you to develop a strong, powerful voice. "Good singing" is always subjective to the listener's ears and heart. But the more you can communicate your emotions without vocal limitations, the better your odds of getting through to an audience.
2. Isn't breathing important?
It is important but not nearly as important as people have made it out to be. Let's put it this way: if you breathe naturally without restriction, that's all you need. You don't need to take breathing lessons to talk, why should singing be any different? Volume and power come from coordinated vocal cords ability to contain air pressure. In other words, if you can't maintain vocal cord closure throughout your whole range (bridges), all the deep breaths in the world won't help you.
3. Explain "bridges".
Think 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, etc....As you go higher in pitch, the vocal cords need to make an adjustment. This is called a bridge or passagio (old Italian term). Bridges are the areas of your voice where your vocal cords "zip up" and vibrate more and more from the front only (as opposed to the full cord). If you have a "break" in your voice, it almost always occurs on a bridge. Many singers develop breaks and cracks in their voices due to resisting the natural bridging process. What we do in our voice lessons is learn to sing through these areas with no strain or difference in tone quality. Eventually, the bridges become so developed that the singer hardly notices they're there and their audience doesn't hear them at all.
4. How long will it take to see improvement?
You will see improvement within a few weeks of starting voice lessons. That is, improvement on the specific issues we're working on. Major changes in the voice do take patience and obviously, time invested is a key factor. Everybody's different but 6 months to a year is a good bet to expect more dramatic developments. A commitment yes but well worth it.
5. What is your rate and location?
Please visit the "Take A Voice Lesson" page for more info.
Email for current lesson rates.
6. What's the difference between chest voice, head voice and falsetto?
The main difference between chest and head voice is the simply the area where the singer feels the resonance. Head voice occurs after the singer's first bridge (see question 3). The main difference between falsetto and head voice is open and closed vocal cords.
7. How can one vocal technique work for every style?
The piano doesn't change whether you play jazz or rock. One technique works because we're learning how to sing, not what to sing. In other words, build the instrument then play anything you like.
8. Do your teaching methods differ for men compared to women, what about children?
Not really. In truth, each voice has it's own needs but there are generalities based on age and sex.
9. I don't want to sound like a "trained singer", can you help me?
Of course. The right vocal lessons will give you the freedom to choose your own artistic path.
10. Some of the most successful artists never took voice lessons, can you comment on this?
In the music industry there are no rules. Some singers are naturally gifted, others can't sing a note but get by on image and marketing. Most talented singers, however, do struggle to keep up with the heavy vocal demands placed on them by a career in the music business. Vocal training is the solution. For success in any field, you must be at your best when opportunity knocks. Good vocal technique will ensure that when you're on stage, all you need to think about is performing the song not hitting notes without cracking and surviving till the end of the night.
11. Can you teach someone who's "tone deaf"? If so, how?
The term "tone deaf" gets thrown around a lot. The implication is that it's a permanent condition but I've yet to run into someone that truly fits that description. Now sometimes people have a very difficult time getting their voice to reproduce the sound they hear in their head.This comes from a lack of coordination in the vocal structure. This can be fixed. It's done by starting small. Most people can match pitch within a certain range(usually around their speaking tone). Once they begin to recognize the feeling that comes from singing in tune, we can branch off from there. All it takes is time and practice.
12. Do you teach complete beginners?
Of course. There is a lot of joy in watching beginners develop completely from the ground up. I should add that people who consider themselves "beginners" can often have a ton of natural talent without knowing it.
13. How much should I practice?
This is the ideal: everyday for 20-30 min (exercises) and 15 min (songs) taking a day off now and then. If you can't find the time to do this much, it should be your goal. Repetition is the mother of skill and that is 100% the case in singing. To develop a voice into an amazing instrument we're dealing with subconscious habits and patterns in the body. To change them takes the constant reinforcement that comes from a daily practice routine. Now, having said that, it's very important not to overdo it. The muscles get tired and need rest after a vocal workout. I should also add that 5 min. everyday is far better than once a week for an hour.
14. What's the hardest thing about taking voice lessons?
It's really not hard at all. Simple daily repetition of the right vocal exercises will produce incredible results in time. But that's also the answer to your question. The most challenging thing is sticking with it. Many people want unrealistic results immediately and when they don't come, give up quickly. Even with an extremely powerful technique like Speech Level Singing, it still takes time for new habits and physical patterns to develop. Improvements come quickly but major changes are never as fast as we'd like them to be. Learn to enjoy the journey!
15. What's so great about Speech Level Singing vs. other vocal techniques?
Let me put it this way: virtually all vocal problems are caused by the singers inability to effectively deal with their bridges (see question 3). Knowing this, we must train with a vocal technique that truly understands how to develop these bridges. Speech Level Singing is the only vocal technique I have ever seen that can do this.
16. Can children take singing lessons?
Absolutely, as long as a child is ready to apply themselves to it. If they have the discipline, the younger we start; the better. Children are often already doing naturally what my adult students have to train to develop (or re-learn). So it's great to help them maintain the natural balance that often gets lost as they start to imitate their adult heroes.
17. I'm a self-taught musician, can't I just teach myself to sing too (instead of taking voice lessons)?
You can try but in my opinion it's virtually impossible to reach your vocal potential without a great coach. This is true for a few reasons. 1) We can't actually hear ourselves accurately. Very people can technically interpret what they feel vocally with any accuracy. 2) A great vocal instructor knows exactly what vocal, consonant scale combination (exercise) you need to grow. I've taught myself how to play over 10 instruments but I never could've done the same with my voice. I actually did try for 8 years, it only led to tension.
18. How long until I can sing the high notes?
We'll sing them immediately in your lessons. I think the more accurate question would be: how long until my high notes are as strong as my low notes? Effective regular practice will give you the voice of your dreams. How long will that take? There are far too many factors to answer this question in a general forum. But I can say this: time passes quickly and if you start this and stick with it, you'll be singing the high notes with effortless power before you know it.
