At Long Last, Trader Joe's In Utah!

This isn't on the topic of singing, or songwriting or public speaking.  But this news DOES make my heart sing --- Trader Joe's is finally coming to Utah, and all is right with the world.  Milk chocolate covered potato chips; sushi you can afford; healthy meals you can prepare in minutes; and gourmet goodies that make you want to belt out 'Halleluja'!

Source: ksl.com via Beth on Pinterest

Having Trouble Hitting High Notes?

Hitting the High Notes

One of the most common complaints I hear from singers is 'I can't sing high!'  Usually when they try to hit 'high' notes, their throat closes up and they can't squeak out the note!

The culprit is almost always the larynx, or voicebox.  It's connected to the base of the tongue, so that when the larynx raises, the base of the tongue generally raises. If the tongue is raised then your sound gets blocked.

But that's only a part of the problem!  The real issue is the position of the larynx, and how it affects your vocal production.  If your larynx jams up when you do an ascending line, or 'high' note, you are essential 'strangling' the tone, and not only does that cut off the sound, but it's really uncomfortable, too!

In Bel Canto singing, on which my Lawrence Vocal System is based, the larynx is supposed to stay in a relaxed, lowered position throughout your range.  Thinking of keeping a 'yawning' feeling when you sing opens the throat and keeps the larynx in the right position.  It will take some awareness and practice, but once you learn to keep the larynx in that correct position, your singing will be unbelievably easy!