THE VOICE CONNECTION
SOUND OFF

Welcome to The Voice Connection Sound Off; a forum for users of books like Raise Your Voice, Melody to Madness, The Ultimate Breathing Workout, and Unleash Your Creative Mindset, as well as a place for Vendera Vocal Academy members to interact.

This message board was created so that singers could come together and "sound off" to help support each other during vocal development and the creative process of unleashing the creative spark that occurs when writing and producing music. Currently, myself and vocal coaches Ben Valen, Ray West, and Ryan Wall are here to respond periodicially to your questions, with new vocal coaches coming soon. But, feel free to help each other too:)

This board is here for you to ask questions about my and my fellow coach's books, videos, and MP3 programs, as well as offer others help with our vocal techniques. You may also post videos of yourself and your band to share your music and ask for critiques.

Please refrain from negative comments, profanities, spamming, and inappropriate criticisms of vocal methodologies, vocal coaches, and singers. All negative posts will be deleted and subject to banning without question. I will not respond to negative posts, because, as Mark Twain once said, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” With that said, positive criticism is welcome because that is how you'll grow as a singer during the training process.


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b
Ben
Sep 28, 2011 - 11:46AM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Steve
Wow....thanks for the tips Ben! I will definitely try that out.

The main stumbling block is that I don't want to yell when I'm singing higher notes. I'm not sure if I am, but sometimes when I'm singing songs, it feels like I forgot everything the book/exercises taught me and proceed like a beginner. I guess this stuff just takes time.
Well, what I told you will help you with that. If you can hum the high notes and still feel the resonance in your teeth then you are going to be able to sing it if you keep that same same resonance. You can hum one line then open your mouth and sing one line trying to keep the same resonance. If you are yelling then you are doing it wrong. You are going to end up hurting yourself. If you have to get a lot louder to do the vocal exercises, then you are doing it wrong. I might try starting out with simple songs that don't have a lot of high notes. I am a light baritone by nature so I usually warm up singing stuff like Elvis Presley/Frank Sinatra/Clint Black...........stuff that isn't too challenging for me to hit the high notes. If you constantly try to sing stuff that is wayyyyyyyyyyy outside of your range before you are ready........you might end up hurting yourself. If you are yelling put the song in a lower key and work your way up 1/2 step (key wise) at a time. So if a song in A is too high, try putting it in the key of G or even F. Once that is easy, put it in F#. Then G......till you can get it up to the original key. That is how I do it and it seems to work well. It's easy to get frustrated and wanna jump the gun, but if you try to go too high too fast.........doom on you! hhahhah!

s
Steve
Sep 28, 2011 - 11:50AM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Thanks man.....I'll try it out. I'm also experimenting with Brett Manning's Mastering mix CDs. I figure it might help me find the mix voice quicker and transition easier to the higher notes.

All in all though, I'm very happy with my progress (range and tone) and understand the importance of Jaime's exercises plus a lot of real singing (songs).

Thanks again Ben,

Steve

b
Ben
Sep 28, 2011 - 12:17PM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Steve
Thanks man.....I'll try it out. I'm also experimenting with Brett Manning's Mastering mix CDs. I figure it might help me find the mix voice quicker and transition easier to the higher notes.

All in all though, I'm very happy with my progress (range and tone) and understand the importance of Jaime's exercises plus a lot of real singing (songs).

Thanks again Ben,

Steve
You are welcome, friend. I just like to share things that have worked for me. Think of your vocal exercises this way: Boxers. Boxers lift weights, run, jump rope, hit the heavy bag, the speed bag....etc.....to get stronger, faster, improve their timing, punching power, endurance......but if they never spend time actually boxing......they are gonna get knocked out! They won't know how to apply their training for real. Same with singing and vocal workouts. Both are essential. Really though if you understand what Jamie is teaching it's all you will ever need to know to train your voice. I do like other methods too. It's good to get other perspectives, but in reality you could just use RYV exclusively unless you don't understand what he is saying. It could save you a lot of money. LOL! Singing for the Stars by Seth Riggs really helped me. His definition of speech level singing is not what a lot of people accuse speech level singing of being (singing like you talk).

o
oiselle
Sep 30, 2011 - 8:27PM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

It takes time and perseverance to develop muscle memory and apply what you know with the exercises to actual songs. Also the problem with songs is that there si so much happening with your enunciators and the change in pitch. Practice this way. Break down your song to one sentence a t a time. Use your ears and self-awareness to determine if you are using the right tone and resonance for each pitch.

s
Steve
Oct 2, 2011 - 4:56PM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Thanks for the tips guys! I'm getting more comfortable with the exercises (especially Transcending Tone, which always seemed impossible).

I've heard that you want to use less air when singing high notes. The other day I hit an Eb5 and had some trouble sustaining it. The note lasts for a second or two, but I can't keep the cords connected. What should I do?

Thanks,

Steve

s
Skullsplitter
Oct 5, 2011 - 8:09AM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Steve
Thanks for the tips guys! I'm getting more comfortable with the exercises (especially Transcending Tone, which always seemed impossible).

I've heard that you want to use less air when singing high notes. The other day I hit an Eb5 and had some trouble sustaining it. The note lasts for a second or two, but I can't keep the cords connected. What should I do?

Thanks,

Steve



Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Jut keep singing, you'll get it. I actually separate the two. I do my training, and then I sing songs. When i am singing, I try not to think too much and just let it flow. You'll get the coordination together, and if you mess up, just keep going. Pick a song and find the points where you are weak in the song and work on those areas.


Tim

b
Ben
Oct 5, 2011 - 10:14AM
Re: From vocalizing to singing songs?

Skullsplitter
Steve
Thanks for the tips guys! I'm getting more comfortable with the exercises (especially Transcending Tone, which always seemed impossible).

I've heard that you want to use less air when singing high notes. The other day I hit an Eb5 and had some trouble sustaining it. The note lasts for a second or two, but I can't keep the cords connected. What should I do?

Thanks,

Steve



Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Jut keep singing, you'll get it. I actually separate the two. I do my training, and then I sing songs. When i am singing, I try not to think too much and just let it flow. You'll get the coordination together, and if you mess up, just keep going. Pick a song and find the points where you are weak in the song and work on those areas.


Tim
This is great advice Tim. Thanks!

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