Goodbye, I say Hello

2007-07-14T15:05:00.000-06:00

Goodbye...This is the last blogpost I'll be making to this blog. :

What happens when you don't warm up your voice

2007-07-07T18:10:00.000-06:00

I urge every student and recording client I work with to be sure and warm up vocally before performance. That preparation includes:Carefully doing special vocal exercises to warm up the instrument and to find the proper body/voice connection.Singing, at least as long as your upcoming performance, full voice at least 3 and preferably 4 days before your show. (If you are regularly performing and in

Jordyn Mallory wins another contest

2007-07-03T00:03:00.000-06:00

I always caution everyone to take contests with a grain of salt... however, it doesn't mean we can't celebrate when someone wins something! Jordyn Mallory has won another preliminary contest for the Colgate Country Showdown.The press at http://www.breezynews.com/cgi-bin/weather/hamweather.cgi reports:"Griffis Motors of Philadelphia and the Pearl River Resort presented the 26th Annual Colgate

Don't Sing From Your Diaphragm!

2007-07-02T08:05:00.000-06:00

...at least not consciously.You hear this phrase a lot in vocal lesson circles... "Sing from your diaphragm." The problem is, what the heck does that mean??? The diaphragm is located at and connected to the bottom of your ribcage. It does have other connections in the upper and lower spine, as well as the clavicle. But how do you sing from it???OK, lets imagine you have this horse you want to

Question about Power, Path & Performance open throat techniques

2007-06-26T10:11:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone... sorry it's been a few days since my last post.I had a question from a man who bought the 6-cd package of Power, Path & Performance vocal training cds, and I thought I'd share them (and my answers) with you. I always want my vocal training courses on cd to work for you- so your questions and feedback are always welcome!Timothy Rehagen from O'Fallon, Missouri wrote:"I have concerns

Music career opportunities, PPP client news

2007-06-19T18:12:00.000-06:00

Want more work???Here is an awesome service for musicians and singers looking for employment opportunities. You can sign up for FREE!! at http://www.rickryan.com/musicianreferral .Here is a blurb describing it: "TheReferralList.com is a web-based Musician Referral Service, Online Recording/Collaboration site, and networking for musicians, engineers, producers, artists, and other music industry

Music career info, news

2007-06-14T14:51:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone...Here is a very interesting website if you are looking into music careers: http://musicians.about.com/.I left a comment after one of the articles on Internet radio residuals. I think Internet radio should pay something for the rights to play people's music, but people can get too greedy. There's got to be a balance! They also bring up the web-neutral concept (not allowing people to

Singers' Gadgets & Gear

2007-06-11T23:25:00.000-06:00

Hey guys & girls... I want to talk about gadgets. Singers' gadgets, that is. Here's my new favorite purchase- it's a dynamite little device that I use almost every day:Sony ICD-SX25 Digital Voice Recorder I got mine on Amazon for $99... I think it was on sale. It was suggested by my blogging mentors, "The Blog Squad" at http://www.buildabetterblog.com/. They use it to record teleseminars. I use

recording your vocals... how much should it cost?

2007-06-09T13:44:00.000-06:00

I have had a lot of fun in the studio lately- I did some vocal production with new artists Catherine Hagen, Memphis Cole & Darby Haas at Ronny Light's little house studio. They were just doing piano or guitar demos, not full track productions, but they all were happy they hired a vocal producer. (And that made ME happy!) The studio can be a strange, disconnected and uncomfortable place to sing,

Vocal Performance techniques of Power, Path & Performance and the Alexander Technique

2007-06-02T18:31:00.000-06:00

OK people, here is the last post in my three part series discussing techniques of "Power, Path & Performance" and the "Alexander Technique".This one will deal with "Performance", which I teach as "Communication".Once again, I would like you to open this link to Ron Murdock's amazing article: http://www.cursa-ur.com/articles/BornToSing.htm . This time, begin reading at the top and stop when you

Throat opening techniques of Power, Path & Performance and Alexander Technique

2007-05-28T15:52:00.000-06:00

Hi everybody... sorry it's been a week since my last post; I've been busy with a showcase on the Yantz sisters, studio background and vocal production work and bunches of voice lessons, as well as new musical revisions to the play "Runaway Home". Lots of news to come... but meanwhile... This post, the second in a series, will relate vocal technique of the "Alexander Technique" to that of my

Michelle Bunch wins lead role in "Music Man"

2007-05-18T15:46:00.000-06:00

I will be posting on the Alexander technique soon, but I had to share this news first...For all those interested in attending great musical theater shows:Michelle Bunch, one of my truly incredible vocal students, emailed me that she got the lead female role ("Marian") in MUSIC MAN! Here is the information on the upcoming Theatre Tuscaloosa Production shows:Music Man Production Dates:Friday, June

Breath Techniques of Power, Path &Performance and Alexander method for singing

2007-05-13T14:18:00.000-06:00

OK... are you ready for some serious vocal technique study?Vocal technique methods, if correct, should lead a singer to the same optimal operation of the voice. The imagery may be different, but the anatomy is the same.In the next few posts, I would like to discuss Power, Path and Performance vocal training method techniques in relationship to the "Alexander Technique", which is a tremendously

Recording "Studio Hands"

2007-05-05T18:38:00.000-06:00

I just got back from 3ABN studio in West Frankfort, Illinois. I had the pleasure of working with the awesome husband and wife team Reggie and Ladye Love Smith. During the sessions, I shared a quick vocal technique with them that really made a difference in our singing- and we all needed it- me as well. I call it "studio hands". If this was helpful to such great seasoned singers as Reggie and

Adam Young in "You Can't Take It With You" musical this weekend

2007-05-01T17:07:00.000-06:00

For those of you interested in seeing a great show-My vocal student, singer/actor Adam Young, is in the musical "You Can't Take It With You" this weekend (May 4, 5 &6th). Friday & Saturday performances at 7:30pm, Sunday at 4pm Smyrna Assembly 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna Tn 37167For ticket information call 534-0148www.smyrnaassembly.org Adam has been studying with me for a few years and

Development and use of Vibrato

2007-04-29T11:32:00.000-06:00

I was asked this week about my thoughts on developing and using vibrato.It is an important skill; however you can place too much emphasis on it and create unnatural vibrato that's hard to unlearn.In my professional experience, it has everything to do with developing breath support/control, learning to use a feeling of compression centered in the pelvic floor, AND sending this breath through an

Vocal problem: How Do You Cure Hiccups?

2007-04-25T00:11:00.000-06:00

Hiccups can be a real nuisance when they manifest in the middle of a performance, whether on stage or in recording studio.I've had to waste valuable studio time waiting for hiccups (and resulting giggles) to go away. I decided I would do a survey and ask this question for the sake of all singers and speakers:How do you cure hiccups? What has really worked for you???These are the things that keep

Bluebird performance was a blast!

2007-04-20T17:10:00.000-06:00

Well, I had a complete blast at the Bluebird Wednesday night!Mersaidee Soules www.mersaideesoules.com hosted the songwriter's round she put together consisting of herself, Joel Shoemake, Trent Jeffcoat, Bryan Karr and myself ... thank you for inviting me to play, MerMer!!!. Mersaidee also generously gave up her chair to let her friend and another one of my students, Jara Johnson sing a song.

The Voice of Hank Williams Sr

2007-04-15T18:15:00.000-06:00

I had an interesting gig last Thursday. I booked veteran studio vocalist friends Margie Cates and Michael Black to drive out to Hartford, Tn with me and sing on Jet Williams' new album. She is the daughter of Hank Williams, senior. This was contested for quite a while by her brother Hank, but it was adjudicated that she is indeed his half-sister. It was a blast. Bobby Bradley was the engineer who

I'm playing the BlueBird Cafe next Wednesday

2007-04-10T08:04:00.000-06:00

I haven't performed in a while and thought I'd invite you all to the event!I'm playing the venerable Bluebird Cafe www.bluebirdcafe.com next Wednesday evening (April 18th). I'll be on the early show 6pm - 9pm.I'll be performing "in the round" with my vocal student, Canadian artist Mersaidee Soules, http://www.mersaideesoules.com/ , and two other guys. Mersaidee asked me to join her and says the

Originality of Voice

2007-04-08T16:49:00.000-06:00

In this post I'm going on a stretch with my blog theme "All Things Vocal". I'm going to talk about vocal originality- in this case defined as "What Do I Have To Say That's Original?". I've been tagged by my blog mentors "The Blog Squad" http://www.buildabetterblog.com/2007/04/tagged_again_be.html who were in turn tagged by Mohit Singhania at Best Blog Basket to be part of his project called Be

UPDATE on Lock & Load Show

2007-04-07T11:29:00.000-06:00

UPDATE:Sorry for the multiple posts today, but this just in:"The Rock & Load show will be going to a LIVE FEED, with Internet radio, and POD CAST, beginning on Thurs April 12. We will be joining forces with www.NashvilleRadio.biz and Owner, Darenda Owens. She, along with Hayden James, her DJ’s and staff, will be launching another new station as well her magazine.Special guests Michael Katon from

Rock Music Alive In Nashville

2007-04-07T11:12:00.000-06:00

I've mentioned this before in another post, but I couldn't help adding a reminder today that rock is also alive in Music City. Hear it from my rocker friend Dan Shafer:"The Rock & Load Show, held Thursay nights at Code Blue 1907 Division St Nashville TN 37203, is a weekly show where I will be focusing on Rock & Roll. Providing an outlet for new groups as well as partnering with friends who are

New Talent Contest from Capitol Records

2007-04-07T11:00:00.000-06:00

A new contest is being launched. (Sigh) I always have misgivings about recommending contests. See my previous post http://judyrodman.blogspot.com/2007/02/should-you-try-out-for-american-idol-or.html but for those of you who for your own reasons might be interested, here are some places to get details:Capitol Records Nashville Launches Online Country Music Talent ...PR Newswire (press release) -

Articulation: Got too much?

2007-04-03T22:19:00.000-06:00

OK, so there's a downside to too much articulation. If you "grab" your words too strongly, you will be perceived as:AngryAn amateurInsincere (I think it was Shakespeare who wrote "Me thinks he protesteth too much")Truly over-pronounced words will also cause tongue and jaw tension. You don't want that because it limits your control, tone and range. That's a good way to know your diction has

Articulation- need some!

2007-04-01T16:27:00.000-06:00

One of my pet peeves is listening to a song and not being able to tell what the heck it's saying.I know some people will say they are only into the music and don't care about or listen to lyrics. I remember when my son was little, he used that rationale to protest my veto of music with inappropriate lyrics. (No, hehehe, it didn't work.) But in reality, most people are drawn to a song and to a

Strange Vocal Exercises That Work

2007-03-30T07:11:00.000-06:00

Some of my vocal exercises are, well, strange. Bryan White once wryly observed to me "the more humiliating an exercise, the better it seems to work".I think the reason a correctly executed weird exercise works so well is...that it bypasses the tenacious but counter-productive vocal habits of the conscious mind by trickery. The Feldenkrais method used by some chiropractors does the same thing... a

Independent music: Can it be successful?

2007-03-28T18:12:00.000-06:00

Downloadable digital music is causing a major paradigm shift in the music business universe. I love it.It has long been my belief that music has had to squeeze down enough to fit the two “bottlenecks” of extremely limited number of major recording labels and of Billboard reporting radio stations. If you and your music didn’t fit, you could be perceived, and might perceive yourself to be, an

Vocal Performance: Reveal... don't display!

2007-03-25T20:14:00.000-06:00

There is a classical voice training textbook series by Van A. Christy called "Expressive Singing". In the Third Edition, Volume #1, Christy recommends this excellent suggestion for any performance in any genre:"Meaning must be REVEALED, never DISPLAYED in a theatrical manner."I can't tell you how very much I agree with this. There is a fine line between over- and under- acting. If you REALLY want

Vocal "Breaks"... how to eliminate them

2007-03-22T19:07:00.000-06:00

There are times you want a vocal "break"- such as when you want to yodel or "flip" a little vocal cry (think Emmy Lou Harris). However, most of the time these breaks are unwanted and happen when vocal strain and tightness impede smooth movements in the vocal apparatus. In these cases, your chest voice gets thin, loud and harsh and then finally when you go a bit higher, you find yourself in a weak

Music Videos... Do you really need a professional shoot?

2007-03-17T13:03:00.000-06:00

Here's an interesting bit of info I came across for those of you needing to make a music video. This is pretty much a requirement these days for getting your music and your face out into the public awareness, but it's an expensive undertaking. You can and should definately shop around before settling on a video production team.BUT... for those of you thinking about a do-it-yourself project and

Kayla Morrison teaching Power, Path & Performance voice

2007-03-16T14:48:00.000-06:00

Judy says:Kayla Morrison has taken voice from me for several years. As I've gotten to know her, I've come to love, trust and respect her skills in many areas. She has managed several artists through the years, and in fact manages my vocal seminars. Kayla herself has covered lots of miles as a vocalist, group leader and vocal arranger in Christian music ministry. She knows what it means firsthand

The concepts behind "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training method

2007-03-14T08:13:00.001-06:00

According to Proverbs...a three stranded cord is not easily broken! (Read: broken, damaged voice.) The idea for the "PPP" method came to me after I began giving a couple of years of vocal lessons, using all the information I'd gathered through years of professional singing and producing other singers. My professional vocal coach was Gerald Arthur, who is a legendary teacher in Nashville. He was

The Importance of THE WORD to vocal technique

2007-03-09T12:51:00.000-06:00

The articulation of the word to the voice is like the ring in a bull's nose.Let me explain:There is a lot that goes into making your best sung or spoken vocal communication. In my training method, I teach you to learn to properly apply concepts of breath ("Power"), open throat ("Path") and telling the story ("Performance"). Your vocal instrument can be considered to include everything from your

Spinal movements and the voice

2007-03-03T15:47:00.000-06:00

The spine holds incredible secrets for singers. If you know how to say the magic word....Actually, if you know how to bend the thing!First of all, there's C-1, or cervical vertebrae one. That's the top of your spine, the bone upon which your skull hinges. If you bring that vertebrae back ever so slightly (without raising your chin), you can double the space at the back of your throat or vocal

Recording Studio Vocal Producer...Do You Need One?

2007-03-01T11:53:00.000-06:00

What is a vocal producer?Do I need one?These are questions which should be asked by everyone needing to record a voice. Period. Why? Because it can make SO MUCH DIFFERENCE to the final outcome. Ok, I know this may be a bit self-serving, because I am one (a vocal producer). But sometimes you truly do NOT need one. Here's how you can tell:Does your vocal quality really matter that much in this

Vocal challenges in Children

2007-02-27T00:22:00.000-06:00

Are you a parent, relative, teacher or friend of a little singer- or are you a little singer? This post's for you!Here's an email I just got from Ellen Dockery, a dear session singer friend of mine who has begun teaching piano and voice:judy,if i could rely on your expertise for a second...i have a 6 yr. old piano/voice student. she's a great little singer-do you have any advice or precautions

Runaway Home- New Musical wraps up first run

2007-02-25T22:24:00.000-06:00

Well, it's either over or it's just beginning.Runaway Home the Musical finished its first run today. It was a spirited performance by eleven actors I have come to love with all my heart. We hope to take it to New York's Fringe Festival, we hope to get it distributed far and wide, but I tell you the truth... if this was it, it was more than worth the time, travel, money, songwriting, track

The Master Tonic Remedy

2007-02-16T15:42:00.001-06:00

As a singer myself, I have grown to loathe the common cold, not to mention (shudder) the FLU! Respiratory illnesses usually turn into laryngitis for me. My immune system is quite strong, but this weekend I started feeling that awful sensation in my throat that told me I was catching this terrible cold that has been going around in my area. So when my sister sent me this bottle of strange brown

The Importance of Resonation

2007-02-16T08:21:00.000-06:00

Resonation is your key to effective communication. If you say or sing something, what your listener "hears" is determined by the WAY you do it...Let me explain:If your throat is somewhat closed and/or your airstream (power) is not supported and controlled, your resulting sound will not be perceived as important or confident. Your message will be "I'm not sure about this", "Don't eat me for saying

Are You Really Communicating?

2007-02-11T17:14:00.000-06:00

When we speak indistinctly, it doesn't communicate. Only common sense, right? Funny how a desire to communicate something can get scattered like a flashlight beam.It's like there's a disconnect between your mind and your voice. It can happen for a lot of reasons, such as-You're not quite sure that the object of your message really wants to hear it. Hey, and sometimes, they don't! It's your job to

Nashville Rocks, Too!!

2007-02-09T16:52:00.000-06:00

I met veteran vocalist/writer/producer/entertainer Dan Shafer not long ago at a songwriters showcase. Dan's been around, from time to time even sub-ing as lead singer for some truly major rock groups. We struck up an interesting conversation about what "real rock" music is and how it should be written, produced, and sung. He is passionate and interested in networking to make Nashville a major

Should you try out for American Idol or Nashville Star?

2007-02-06T10:13:00.000-06:00

I have a lot of people coming to me asking if they are ready to try out for one of these contests.No matter what the contest, my answer is the same:Ask yourself first of all: Are you really ready for rejection?The truth is, no matter how well you can sing, this is a very real possibility. What they are looking for may be a charactor, or even a bad singer so the judges can trash them. Yes, some of

What to do for your Speaking Voice

2007-02-04T19:53:00.000-06:00

I had a comment on my last post that was a question about the speaking voice. Because I figure most of you may not click on the comments to see what is said, I thought I'd put the info in this new post, with a bit of elaboration.I remember when I was on the road as an artist, I used to dread interviews before shows. It actually affected my singing voice to do a lot of talking before I sang, so I

Vocal Training: Pitch Issues and Target Practice

2007-01-30T02:26:00.000-06:00

If you have pitch problems, it can usually be chalked up to:The acoustic instruments (piano, ac. guitar) aren't loud enoughYou aren't really listening to the music The bass is too loud (overtones can fool you)The electric guitar is too loud, or you're swimming in violin, steel, harmonica or organ You don't want to listen to the music!Your earphones are all the way flush against your ears instead

Vocal Performance: Messages

2007-01-28T09:47:00.000-06:00

There's an ancient Chinese proverb that goes something like this:"A songbird doesn't sing to be heard, it sings because it has a song." I translate that proverb into this observation- The most important part of vocal performance is... THE MESSAGE!!Here is an interesting vocal exercise:Next time you choose to generate sound waves with your vocal apparatus, (or write something for someone else to

Last Runaway Home 1st Run Show Dates

2007-01-26T00:47:00.000-06:00

If you'd like to witness history, don't miss the end of the first run of "Runaway Home: The Musical", showing in Studio One Playhouse, Decatur, Alabama. The venue is about 2 hours south of Nashville, and is easy to find.Click this link for pictures from the playhttp://www.pbase.com/ronnylight/runaway_home&page=allThe show will begin at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings:Feb 9th &10thFeb 16th &

LoVetri Post: Perfect Vocalism

2007-01-25T18:38:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to a wonderful post on emotional singing by vocal teacher LoVetri. I totally agree with her conclusions.If someone sings with power and technical perfection, yet without authentic emotional feeling, the performance is wasted. Yet emotion without training can wreck a voice.The voice must elicit some kind of emotional response to be effective, yet no one listens very well when

Auditions for Broadway Musical "Cry Baby"

2007-01-23T00:36:00.000-06:00

HEADS UP... I just got a call from a talent agent who asked me to give out the following information concerning an upcoming audition in Nashville, Tennessee. Here is a great opportunity if you fit the criteria... please let me know if you audition, AND GOOD LUCK!OPEN SINGERS CALLFOR THE NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL CRY BABYBASED ON THE 1990 FILM STARRING JOHNNY DEPPWHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:Our two young

Jaw movement and the voice

2007-01-20T02:12:00.000-06:00

The position and movement of the jaw has significant effects on the voice. You may hear different points of view from various vocal teachers about what you should try to do with your jaw. Whatever you are taught, just know that you can over-do what is being suggested.Here's what I've learned by experience with both my own voice and that of my students and recording clients:A stiff jaw (I call it

Singing, Health and Body Language

2007-01-17T09:58:00.000-06:00

Here are some very interesting links about singing you might want to read:http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/06/07/how_singing_improves_your_health_even_if_other_people_shouldnt_hear_you_singing.htmhttp://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/10/19/how_your_body_language_conveys_confidence_intelligence_and_trust__or_a_lack_there_of.htm

Back Off the Pressure!

2007-01-16T13:52:00.000-06:00

Here's a very important tip for using max vocal power...DON'T DO IT!I mean... never use 100% of the power you have available to sing. It will turn into "pushed" sound instead of what I like to call "pulled" sound.Instead of "pushing", imagine pulling your voice, by the word, from above and behind you. If you sing as hard as you can, you will tense muscles and tendons in your neck, shoulders, jaw

Auditions being held for "You're A Good Man..."

2007-01-12T12:45:00.000-06:00

My vocal student Adam Young sent me the following audition call...Community Players will hold auditions for "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" on January 13, 14, 20 & 21 from 1-5pm. Prepare 16 bars of an up-tempo Broadway song. Accompanist provided. Be prepared to read from the script, and dress comfortably for movement. Contact John Carpenter @ 615-220-6112. For more information, visit

Sick Singer Remedies

2007-01-10T11:37:00.000-06:00

First and very important... I am not a doctor. From time to time on this blog, I will share with you my and other's experiences with health remedies, but it is always best to check with your doctor before trying any of these tips.For sinus issues (pardon the pun!):Singers with chronic sinus and allergy problems can not sound their best. The vocal resonation zones are sick! Worse yet, the

Getting real with new artist development

2007-01-09T15:03:00.000-06:00

Note from Judy:There are scams and crooks in the music business. (Duh). You don’t have to be around it very long to know this. You need to check out ANYONE you work with before you trust them with your talent - or hand over a one of your red cents.However, it is also true that there are people of the utmost integrity that work within our industry. If you are wise and fortunate enough to get these

Posture for Singers- Studio

2007-01-08T18:40:00.000-06:00

Many times a singer has trouble getting studio vocals and can't figure out why. It happens a lot with vocalists who do a lot of live performance work and are used to singing while holding a microphone (wired or wireless). But of course, it also happens with people who are new to the studio.Try changing your posture!First of all, stand with your feet in farther towards the mic than you're used to.

Runaway Home- New Musical

2007-01-05T14:27:00.000-06:00

Runaway Home- A New MusicalBook and lyrics by Darren J. ButlerMusic and lyrics by Judy Rodmanadditional songs by Will FincherI have taken part in songwriting, producing and directing music for a new contemporary rock play named “Runaway Home”, script written and play directed by acting coach/author Darren Butler. The opening performance of the play was October 8th at the Studio One Playhouse in

Posture for Singers- Live Performance

2007-01-04T12:13:00.001-06:00

Posture sounds like a technical, cold word. But you wouldn't believe how assuming a better one can change your life as a vocalist.First let's talk about live performance. Next post will concentrate on posture for the recording studio.Don't -DON'T STAND STIFFLY with your arms clenched into your sides- you will lose both resonance and control. Especially watch the hand holding the mic... don't let

CMT Vocal Performance Opportunity

2007-01-03T17:39:00.000-06:00

I just got this email from Regina Moore of Moore Casting, Nashville, Tn. Go for it or pass it on if you know someone that might be interested.Regina says:This is for the serious and not so serious singer (Male & Female).Come on out. This is going to be a great show!Email (mhcasting@bellsouth.net) us to let us know if you are coming to the audition. We would like to know. If you don’t have time to

Help for Singers with Tight Throats

2006-12-31T16:29:00.000-06:00

Have you had problems ever feeling tight or strained in your throat after singing? Did you know that you can sing almost as loud and long, as high or low as you want without ever having your throat feel pain or fatigue?First, let's define "the throat": Let's call it the top back of your nasal membrane where the Eustation tubes open, the back of your mouth and the top of your trachea. Trace it by

Studio Tips from David Pell

2006-12-29T12:49:00.000-06:00

Judy would like to thank David Pell for guest posting these studio tips. You can find David on the internet at http://www.catsimagination.com/ Now here's David's post:"So let's make some history today".Twenty years from now or the day the recording session is completed that recording and performance will be the same. Every session is history. This should motivate not discourage.You really can't

Resolutions for the Best Voice You Never Had!

2006-12-27T10:57:00.000-06:00

Ok, why not harness the power of the New Year's Resolution to give you the best voice you never had?FACT: your body/mind/voice are all connected. THEREFORE: if you'd like to be able to take your voice to another level this year, here are some choices, if you follow through, that will really help you gain significant vocal ground:1. Take better care of your body-DRINK MORE PURE WATER- Half your

A voice to love in hip-hop

2006-12-23T11:02:00.000-06:00

Mat Kearney began lessons with me a few years ago as a Christian rapper/songwriter. He learned to find his full, natural voice and last year became a monster hit maker- amazingly signing to major labels in Christian and pop music, simultaneously. His first single, "Undeniable", shot out of the box as the most-added single in the history of Christian Hit Radio (CHR).He is now also shining in the

Studio Singing Techniques: Body Language

2006-12-20T15:36:00.000-06:00

Ever have trouble getting your vocals as good in the studio as you do in live performance? How you stand at the mic in the studio makes all the difference in the world. If your hands hang limply at your sides, your face frozen in a zombie stare, your voice doesn't know what to do. If you were speaking or singing to the one to whom the lyrics of the song is directed, you would probably use a much

When mucous membranes go wrong

2006-12-19T16:50:00.000-06:00

A couple of tips for allergies and thick mucous membranes of the nose… First one:try using a “Neti Pot” filled with saline solution to wash the allergens out of your nasal passageways. For some sufferers, this can work miracles. Get the Neti Pot and the non-iodized salt you must use for saline solution at your local health food store.Second one was sent to me by recording engineer Ronny Light. He

Breath work for singing- WALL WORK!

2006-12-18T16:12:00.000-06:00

Ever had trouble having enough breath to singing?Try this: Stand with your back to the wall. Keep the back of your head and at least one of your heels firmly planted against the wall. Put your finger on your chin so your chin stays level- DON'T LIFT YOUR CHIN!. Now try singing that song again.Let me know how it works for you!

Vocal performance: it's not about you

2006-12-16T16:00:00.000-06:00

Ever been nervous about your vocal performance? Perhaps it is because your voice doesn't understand what you want it to do. Here's a paradoxical truth: YOUR GREATEST SINGING IS NOT ABOUT YOU! When you make vocal performance all about yourself it leads to self-consciousness, numbness, stage fright, bad vocal technique and disconnection to the audience. YES, anytime you sing or speak publically,

Vocal teachers- How to pick the right one

2006-12-15T15:46:00.000-06:00

Vocal instruction is an art as well as a science. Every good voice teacher (actually, every good teacher of anything else) I've ever known or read about has their own unique way of teaching. All voice teaching, however, should lead singers to the same basics of vocal production. After all, the human voice in everyone operates by the same anatomical principles.BUT- singers have unique strengths

Judy Rodman On All Things Vocal