Singing for Health Superstars!

Here are two Senior Singers, John and Shirley from my Singing for Health Class. They are so exuberant - just love them!

Bring Back the Piano Bar!

PIANO BAR! (what do YOU think?) There is so much emphasis put on being a technically 'perfect' singer, that by adulthood most people are terrified to sing in front of anyone, even 'Happy Birthday' at a party! It's time for a SINGING REVOLUTION, where we become like kids again and just sing for the FUN of it! I say 'BRING BACK THE PIANO BAR!"

Building a Better, Younger Voice



Vocal exercises can create a younger
sounding voice 

Some people want to not only look younger, but sound younger, too. 

An increasing number of older adults are putting more pep into their speaking with voice therapy.  "Research has shown they can sound younger than their chronological age" through proper techniques says Nandhu Radhakrishnan, a University of Missouri specialist in voice science and therapy. 

Vocal exercises improve loudness and strengthen the tone and endurance of muscles that have lost elasticity, says Ellen Markus, a speech pathologist at the Universty of North Carolina Voice Center.

Breathing and vocal exercises twice a day along with relaxation techniques greatly improve raspy voices.

Adapted from AARP Bulletin, July-August 2012, Vol. 53, No. 6

Singing releases feel good endorphins!

Here's more confirmation about the benefits of singing, especially group singing, from Julia Layton @ TLC network:  

All types of singing have positive psychological effects. The act of singing releases endorphins, the brain's "feel good" chemicals. Singing in front of a crowd, a la karaoke, naturally builds confidence, which has broad and long-lasting effects on general well-being. But of all types of singing, it's choral singing that seems to have the most dramatic effects on people's lives.

A study published in Australia in 2008 revealed that on average, choral singers rated their satisfaction with life higher than the public -- even when the actual problems faced by those singers were more substantial than those faced by the general public [source:MacLean]. A 1998 study found that after nursing-home residents took part in a singing program for a month, there were significant decreases in both anxiety and depression levels [source: ISPS]. Another study surveying more than 600 British choral singers found that singing plays a central role in their psychological health [source:ISPS].

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Got Vocal Nodules? Rest Your Voice!

Vocal rest for Singer's Nodules - http://allaboutvoice.com/healthy-voice-blog.html

Rob Lowe On Shower Singing

My new book From Shower To Stage....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro! is written both for the shy, shower singer, to the working professional.  Here's what Rob Lowe says about 'shower singing':

 "Everybody knows that the shower has the best acoustics. There's no two ways about it. I actually have a recording studio in mine. So look out, Kevin Bacon. You think you've got your fancy band. You've got nothing on my shower band."

Stop Commanding Your Voice!

I've been listening to many of my old tapes from voice lessons with Giuseppe Balestrieri the man who taught me BEL CANTO singing, and saved my voice.  He used to make the most profound statements in lessons.  On one recent tape I heard him tell me:

 "You command your voice too much.  Let it go!  Be gentle!"

Wow, I really got that because I teach my students the same thing!  When you're singing correctly, you don't have to 'do' anything with the voice.  You don't have to push, force, or try to make the voice reach the notes.  You just 'let it go', release it, let it be free to soar.  That sounds simple, and it is.  Singing should be simple.  It should feel good, it should be easy.

So stop commanding your voice.  Get out of the way and let your body do what it does naturally - produce a clear, rich, powerful voice that doesn't need you pushing or manipulating it.  Really, stop thinking, stop trying.  Just let the voice flow.  When you develop that kind of trust you will develop a beautiful voice.
Thanks Maestro Balestrieri!

Effortless Vocals in 3 Steps!

Want an effortless singing or speaking voice?  Do my three step process:
1. Breathe 2. Relax 3. open and release the voice without trying to manipulate or control it.  Try it, you'll find it easier to sing/speak, and you'll increase your range, too, as relaxing equals 'no tension', and tension constricts the vocal mechanism!

A Singer's Posture Indicates Confidence!

Every time you take the stage, whether it be in front of a classroom, or Carnegie Hall, you have an opportunity to present yourself with confidence and charisma. An easy way to do this without ever opening your mouth is to simply develop 'A Singer's Posture'!

Good posture indicates confidence, so immediately your audience will view you in a positive way. The first step in professional presentation is to take the stage with body language that says "I am a Diva!" or "I am a Divo!"

This video will give you some simple tips on developing 'A Singer's Posture'!

Singing Tips for Songwriters

It's really compelling when a songwriter sings their own music, as they are usually the best 'storytellers'. Unfortunately, a lot of songwriters are either too shy to sing, or don't think they're good enough. I say 'it's better to be a great storyteller than to be a perfect singer!'  I've posted some 'Viva La Voice Singing Tips' on my YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/vivalavoice - please check them out!

Vocalizing Clears the Mind!

Did you know that doing simple vocalizing exercises in the morning can clear that foggy brain?!  Try it -  singing helps oxygenate the blood, clearing the mind and energizing the body!

Step Five for a Youthful Voice!

5.  Vocal Rest
Just as it's important to exercise, it's also important to rest.  We use our voices constantly, and those who use their voices in a professional setting are even more prone to overuse and tire the voice.  Be kind to your voice - don't scream, try to talk over background noise, or speak to large groups without a microphone.  When you don't have to talk, don't. Once you become mindful of your voice, you'll begin to honor silence as a great way to care for your voice.



Remember to treat your voice with respect and care and you'll have a rich, strong, healthy and youthful sounding voice for your entire life!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Four for a Youthful Voice!

4.  Vocal Exercise
            Your vocal cords are muscles that need to be exercised throughout your life.  Doing simple singing exercises to warm up the voice in the morning is a perfect way to start the day.  Vocal exercises strengthen the voice; get rid of phlegm, and conscious breathing oxygenates the blood!  My best advice for folks who are noticing an 'aging' of their voice is to sing everyday!  A great time to vocalize is in your car going to work.  You'll arrive with a voice that's ready to take on the challenges of the day.  Just like your body, simple vocalizing will strengthen and tone the voice, maintaining a supple and youthful tone.

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Three for a Youthful Voice!

3.  Pitch
Speaking and singing are natural and should reflect your authentic persona.  What I mean by this is that you should be using your natural voice, not a voice that has been habitually altered through years of manipulation.  So many times clients will come to me with very soft, airy voices, or voices that sound thin and squeaky.  Many women have a hard time letting go of their 'little girl' voices and must be taught to release their naturally pitched voice.  Your natural voice is always in a comfortable range, free of pinching and straining.  Speaking with a relaxed throat and natural pitch gives the voice a warm, silky, youthful tone.

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Two for a Youthful Voice!

2.  Conscious Breathing
The basis for proper speaking and singing is conscious breathing.  This means becoming aware of relaxing the belly, breathing low and slow, allowing the diaphragm to lower while the lungs fill with air.  Think of filling up like a balloon:  on the inhale the abdominal area 'fills' up; on the exhale, the abdominal area 'deflates' or goes slightly flat.  Most people breath very high in the chest and keep their bellies tight, which doesn't allow you to take in a full, deep breath.  You can also imagine your ribs as a bellows expanding as you inhale and going back to the normal position as you exhale.  Breathing is natural and is essential for supporting the voice so that the throat is not forcing the volume.  A youthful voice is a well-supported voice!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step One For A Youthful Voice!

1.  Mindfulness
In general, the first step to change is awareness.  We've got to become mindful of how we're using, or abusing our voice.   As you speak, start listening to yourself!  Do you talk loudly in order to be heard over talking or background noise?  In your job, do you attempt to push your voice for maximum volume?  Do you use your voice constantly without occasional rest?  Begin now to monitor your volume, pitch and breath control and be willing to learn new ways of using your voice to maintain vocal health.

Spring Is The Time To Sing!

Spring Is The Time To Sing!

©2006 Beth Lawrence

Robins are singing, the daffodils have emerged; Spring is a time for new beginnings! When people hear me in concert, or find out that I'm a voice coach, I'm always amazed at how many of them tell me "I've always wanted to sing." They usually say it in a rather wistful way, as though it's a dream that's totally out of reach for them. I always respond, "Then why don't you?", to which invariably, they say 'oh, no! I can't sing!'

Why do we so stubbornly defend our false beliefs and limitations? If you'd love to sing; if you harbor that secret desire to belt out a tune or be the next American Idol; or just want the courage to sing 'Happy Birthday' without embarrassment, I'm here to tell you that YOU CAN! And there's no better time than right now, to begin.

Everyone can sing! You were born singing! Along the way, though, someone told you that you couldn't, and that became your belief system. Spring is the time when all things come back to life. Even dusty, forgotten dreams can be born again. So do something wonderful for yourself - take a few voice lessons! You'll see it's not as scary as you thought, and it will give you worlds of self-confidence. I offer both group and private voice mentoring and I find that most people are so anxious about singing in front of me initially that we spend lots of time working on that inner critic that demands vocal perfection. My goal is to help my clients sing from their hearts, not their heads! Singing is all about raising your voice in joy; not worrying about how good you sound, but how good you FEEL when you're sharing your music.

If you yearn to sing, then DO IT! You will feel great and you'll feel proud of yourself for taking a risk and emerging a stronger, more confident songster! I love to help people find their voices, and now is a great time to take that step of self-discovery and self-love. Sing because you've always wanted to. What better reason is there? And if you're a bit shy, then take a few lessons (study with someone whose method is based in Bel Canto) so that you gain skills that will give you confidence in your voice.

Spring is the time to start something new; something that's going to feed your soul and bring a bounce to your step! Singing has incredible physical and emotional benefits, and it's a great way to meet new friends! My unclejust started singing at age 83, and it has changed his life! He sings every Thursday night in Los Olivos, California, and just loves it! And his audience loves it, too! How fantastic that he took the initiative to take singing lessons at the local community college, then had the guts to get up and put himself on the line. And you know what??? This is now his PASSION! He lives and breathes it. I am so proud of him, and wish everyone would have the courage to open up and sing! My uncle Dick is 83 and singing every week in public; what's your excuse?!

If there’s something you want to do in life, now is the moment. The Universe wants to roll out the red carpet and let your heart's desire come out to play! Open up and let your lifesong break free. Spring is the time to sing!!

Beth’s ‘Joyful Singing!’ class starts April 12th in Salt Lake City, UT. For more information: http://vivalavoice.com

©2006 Beth Lawrence is a Veteran Diva, singer/songwriter/producer and the Owner of Viva La Voice, a conscious music company dedicated to inspiring confidence in the everyday artist, re-entry singer, and creative bon-vivant who wants to live life fully and fearlessly.

She is the author of “The Seven Principles for Vocal Mastery' , which teaches a holistic approach to ‘giving voice to your inner Hero’, honoring the connection of body, mind and spirit. For over 25 years, she has been helping people all over the Globe rediscover the joy of singing, performing, and living their Big Dream. Beth loves developing the brilliance in others!

Beth has won awards from Billboard, Parents, and L.A. Jazz Scene Magazine; the American Song Festival; and was awarded an ‘Outstanding Women In Business’ Grant from Zions Bank. To learn more: http://www.VivaLaVoice.com

Singers - Tight, Tired Throat?!

I recently got a question from a reader on my ASKBETHLAWRENCE.COM site who wrote:

 "I am contacting you just with a concern.  I am a musical theatre major, which requires me to sing on a regular basis.  I am planning on seeing an ENT within the next week or so, but I was just wondering what all could cause fatigue in my upper registers.  It is mainly when trying to sing soft that I experience this.  Is this most likely only related to technique?  Or could it be more serious than that?"

This was my response which I believe could be helpful to a lot of singers who have the same issue:

Sorry you're having challenges with your voice.  Without hearing your voice, or seeing you in person, I can only give you an answer based on my experience in what you're describing.  It could be any number of things, but it doesn't sound to me like you're having these symptoms based on anything more than poor technique, but it's good you're going to the ENT to check it out.   I had lots of vocal problems early in my career until I found a Maestro who saved my voice.  I hope you can do the same!  

If you're planning on having a career as a singer, then you owe it to yourself to sing effortlessly and easily, as your voice IS your career!

By fatigue, a singer could mean just a 'feeling' in the throat (tightness?), or actual hoarseness which would indicate damage.  Number one, are you supporting your tone?  Your breath support is critical and you need to make sure that you are breathing fully; expanding the ribs and belly; softening the belly but not 'pushing out' or having any tension in your belly, diaphragm or throat.

Two, if your throat is feeling tight and tired when you sing, your tongue may be the culprit!  If you're not supporting, then your body compensates by tensing the base of the tongue in an effort to 'hold' the tone, which is really uncomfortable.  This also causes the larynx to jam up, which again, causes a tight throat.

If your throat is tight and the larynx raised you're causing constriction which not only feels bad, but forces you to push the voice to get more sound out.

All in all, a cascade of events  is set in motion that feed upon each other creating a pinched sound, excessive force on the vocal mechanism, mental distraction, a tight, tired throat, and ultimately can result in vocal nodules.

If you haven't already done so, go to my website and read 'A Singer's Story' and some of my philosophy on voice.  

Do you have any questions about voice?  Let me know!

Salt Lake City Music Workshops

Just scheduled two workshops in Salt Lake. 'How To Sell A Song!', Feb. 20th, and 'Conquer Stage Fear Forever!' March 6th. So many of my clients are paralyzed with what I call 'Singer's Anxiety Syndrome', so I want to help them feel comfortable on stage. It's time to get rid of that limitation!

Joyful Singing Class - laughter and tears!

First of my 'Joyful Singing!' classes last night - we had lots of laughs, and even some tears as the attendees shared their desire to sing without fear. I love empowering people to get rid of their old beliefs and sing with CONFIDENCE! It's life-changing! Class continues next Monday in Salt Lake.