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.
Jamie rules 
But anyway, I've been using the program for a few months now, and I'm still absolutely nowhere near where I'd like to be. LegatoMan, being on your second week, you've still got tons of practice time ahead of you. When Jamie says its takes lots of practice, he really means it takes lots of practice times a thousand. Since I think you said you were a guitar player(in a dream theater cover band), just think about how long it took you to get to where you are at guitar. Seeing as you're playing dream theater, it probably has been quite a while. How much did you know after 2 weeks of guitar?
You shouldn't expect to have singing be that different. It's a skill that takes tons of practice.
One thing that I think Jamie might not stress enough is the importance of the falsetto exercises. In my experience so far, I've found that you shouldn't attempt a full voice note if it's not super smooth and easy in falsetto. Remember, if there's any strain or tension you're doing it wrong. Even if you think you're not straining, you still might be.
Keep experimenting man, you'll figure out what works for you. All it takes is practice.
Jaime: Thanks alot! It all makes sense to me now.
RX88: I know I need alot of practice, and I'm more than ready to put as much time and effort as I need into becoming better- I just wanted to clarify whether the zipping technique must be practiced, or not.
