HOW TO DO THE “PHARYNGEAL”VOICE Hey there, Everybody! Happy 2012! Have you heard the term “pharyngeal voice” before? If you’ve watched American Idol or The Voice, maybe you have. It is the “witchy” voice, the “twangy voice”, the “belt-y” voice. Think Aretha Franklin, Fantasia, Chaka Khan, Heart singer Ann Wilson. This type of sound used to sound “like cats singing”, to classically trained singers. Then came Robert Plant and lots of other rock singers, and it was obvious that they had managed to make a sound that normal voice lessons didn’t cover. Flash forward to all the singing … Continue reading
“Nine”, “Crazy Heart”, “Mama Mia”, “Sweeny Todd”—all these movies have singing roles and star actors who aren’t known for their singing voices. Dubbing an actor’s singing voice is not seen as necessary these days, when formerly almost no stars in musicals used their own singing voices (Natalie Wood, Audrey Hepburn). (BTW, I just attended a great class taught by Marni Nixon, who DID sing in those movies! She’s still fabulous!) Many actors now seem game to try their hand at singing—although Brad Pitt swears he never will. The connection between singing and acting is that they are similar skills. “Really … Continue reading
A singer just asked me how to be loud when he was singing the Blues. To sing the blues, you have to be able to “belt”. Belting, sometimes known as “The Twang” or “soft shouting”, is a very specific skill. If you try to sing in chest voice (your speaking voice register) and go too high, your voice will break and you will not hit the note. Here are some tips so that doesn’t happen to you (it just happened to Chris Daughtry on the Star Spangled Banner at the World Series). 1. You must do a NOISELESS inhale and … Continue reading
Hi Singers! Take along another of my Quick Fix Check Lists before you go rock ‘em: 1.Keep your neck long, your knees soft, and your chest out so you can give your heart to the audience! 2.Think DOWN for any high note—your eyes should go down, your yawn muscle goes down, the air should go down into your lower belly—don’t allow any “up” thoughts! 3.If your breath is shallow because you’re a little nervous, inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts. Do this three times and make little circles with your thumbs and forefingers … Continue reading
Andre Donegan,` voice coach, has some good things to say to clarify what is meant by “phonation“. In case you thought it was another cell phone plan, here’s what he says: “Phonation is the creation of sound from air. A mostly mental process! If we wish to create a “good vocal sound“ we must first define that concept. Good vocal sound is freely produced; loud enough to be heard easily; pleasant to listen to; rich, ringing, and resonant; energy flows smoothly from note to note: consistently produced; vibrant, dynamic, and flexibly expressive. “Beautiful sounds start in the mind of the … Continue reading
Charisma. What is it, how do you get it? Are you born with it or can you develop it? The term charisma (pl. charismata, adj. charismatic; from the Greek χαρισμα, meaning “favor given” or “gift of grace”) has two senses: 1) compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others, 2) a divinely conferred power or talent.; a mysterious, elusive quality. Media commentators regularly describe charisma as the “X-factor”. It would seem then that you could be born with it and you also could develop it. As a singer, being charismatic is very important. It means the audience will … Continue reading
, Hi Singers! Just had some interesting last few weeks, and I am excited about sharing them with you, so possibly you can glean inspiration and maybe some help too. First, I had to deal with my voice being so weak and possibly injured for the last three months–what a worry! I’ve been treated for nodes before, and I didn’t think these were what I had, but still I had problems I’ve never had before. Now I also had this little show to do, followed by a big show, and I was singing worse than ever. My middle notes, starting … Continue reading
Hi singers! Zappenin’? If you’re on the East Coast I guess it’s all about the weather–also the MidWest. Out here on the Left Coast, we’re not complaining, although we often do! Thought for the day: The Arc of the Sound. This saved me the other day, when I was performing. My voice sounded quite horrible to me–really weak on certain notes and I was freaked out by the sound I was producing. I couldn’t seem to get my voice to “come together”, no matter what I did. Now it should be said, I didn’t warm up as much as I … Continue reading
