Question: How can I sing harmony–I keep singing whatever the other person sings! There are some parts when I am supposed to sing the harmony, but I always start singing the melody without meaning to. Then when it’s time to switch back to the melody, I hit the wrong notes. Are there any Quick Fixes you can give me for this? Answer: You have to focus on YOU, not the other person singing. It actually is a right brain thing, which hears pitch and notes, and the left brain is comparing you to the other person and cannot hear pitch. … 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
As an early Christmas/Hanukkah present, I have wrapped up some new discoveries that will vastly help your singing if you try them. I love sharing new Quick Fixes with singers, and since you are singers–well, it’s all good! As you may recall in earlier issues, I have discussed the amazing results when you switch to your right brain when you sing. There are two distinct hemispheres, right and left, in your brain. Your left brain is totally sure it is the Simon of your singing ability, and that it should be in charge when you sing. (Another characteristic of the … Continue reading
Earl Harville, vocal coach on The Modern Vocalist Forum: (He is discussing Belting, a sound Rock, Pop, Broadway, and Blues singers all need)– “There is still alot of debate in vocal teaching circles concerning the healthiness of belting. Even finding a consistent definition is tricky. It’s a sound that is often identified with Broadway or gospel singing. It is a big, loud, powerful sound that can be quite stirring. The potential problem with pure belting is that the chest voice range is pushed higher than is optimal, which can make a singer hyperfunctional. In my opinion, it is better to … Continue reading
It’s Spring! Birds are singing, the sun is shining…oh, and the Santa Ana’s are blowing pollen into your nose. With that comes post-nasal drip, a sore throat, phlegm, and constant irritation. Allergies always seem to kick up with the advent of a different season, and that can wreak havoc on your voice. Knowing what to do when you must sing anyway: a gig, a contest, an audition, even singing Happy Birthday to your boss when your throat is sore , is a skill you want to have. You know the obvious: water and more water, right? That’s correct, but even … Continue reading
By Jill Jaxx Exciting new studies are going on right now, ala the right hemisphere of the brain and it’s role in art, music, healing, and even telepathy. It is the older brain, the one we had before speech and the Internet. The left brain, the modern one which has speech, is analytical, critical and makes fun of the right brain’s intuition and emotional style. Some experts say the two hemispheres have different personalities, and actually interact with each other. I would have to say I agree with the experts, and it’s quite a striking difference going from one hemisphere … Continue reading
By Jill Jaxx I have discussed breathing for singers many times in this column, with both advice and techniques from many different people. Well, we’re doing it again! I believe there’s always some little distinction that can help you physically or mentally understand a concept like you never did before–so maybe this article will do it for you! We have also discussed support for singers many times. Sometimes the two ideas, Breathing and Support, have been collapsed into one: Breath Support”. I have come to believe it is better to think of breath and support as two different worlds, and … Continue reading
The book “Full-Throated Ease,” by James Terry Lawson, M.D., has some interesting explorations about singing that I thought I’d pass along, pre-Karaoke Fest. The good doctor is also a singer, so he is intimately acquainted with the particular mechanisms involved in singing well. He also discusses how difficult the communication regarding “sensations” can be, when a teacher is conveying information about your instrument. (We’ve mentioned this pitfall before—feeling is all important and words may just cloud the issue). He notes that all movement by muscles in the body is either voluntary or involuntary. Of special importance to us singers is … Continue reading
