Who Wants A Youthful Voice for Life?

The secret to keeping a vital singing and speaking voice for life is simply.....exercising you voice daily, just like you would any other part of the body! Use it or lose it! Please comment at my new Facebook page All About Voice!

Singing: The Key to a Long Life

King's Singers a capella group

This is an excerpt from an interesting article from Brian Eno:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97320958

I believe in singing. I believe in singing together.

A few years ago a friend and I realized that we both loved singing but didn't do much of it. So we started a weekly a capella group with just four members. After a year we started inviting other people to join. We didn't insist on musical experience — in fact some of our members had never sung before. Now the group has ballooned to around 15 or 20 people.

I believe that singing is the key to long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, increased intelligence, new friends, super self-confidence, heightened sexual attractiveness and a better sense of humor. A recent long-term study conducted in Scandinavia sought to discover which activities related to a healthy and happy later life. Three stood out: camping, dancing and singing.

Well, there are physiological benefits, obviously: You use your lungs in a way that you probably don't for the rest of your day, breathing deeply and openly. And there are psychological benefits, too: Singing aloud leaves you with a sense of levity and contentedness. And then there are what I would call "civilizational benefits." When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness because a capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That's one of the great feelings — to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue.

So I believe in singing to such an extent that if I were asked to redesign the educational system, I would start by insisting that group singing become a central part of the daily routine. I believe it builds character and, more than anything else, encourages a taste for co-operation with others. This seems to be about the most important thing a school could do for you.

Sound Sandwich!

Have you ever done vocal improv? Just making sounds and rhythms with your voice? It is so fun! Recently ten of us got together for a VOICE JAM here at my house.  We started out doing 'unison' rhythms, then as everyone got comfort-able and more brave, we opened it up to just jamming with our voices.

I'd throw out a suggestion like 'Brazilian,' then start with a vocal rhythm and the jam grew and evolved into a very cool mix of rhythms and African sounding chants. This went on for two hours as we emulated various instruments and musical styles.

When you're doing a vocal jam like this, it's crucial to LISTEN to each other. You'll hear a line, sound or rhythm, pick it up or add to it. It really is a communal endeavor and a great team builder. Throughout each improv we'd swell together, come down, and just flow with the song we were creating. It was very organic!

We did some straight 'toning' where we sounded long vowel sounds. I encour-aged all the participants to find their own tonalities, and it created some fantastic overtones and harmonies. I coined a phrase that fit perfectly to the interweaving tones: A SOUND SANDWICH! Bear in mind that this had nothing to do with Voice Jam....har har; a sound sandwich with voice jam. hmmmmm.

This kind of vocal improv helps singers get free of convention, allowing them to jump into their structured music with innovation and the ability to scat or do riffs without fear. After the Voice Jam, we all sang a bit, and we all tried new approaches with our voices with bravery and confidence. It's a great way to loosen up and start stretching out as a singer.

Voice jam?

Why Take Voice Lessons?

One excellent reason for taking voice lessons is simply to get the vocal skills that will become second nature to you.  As you begin singing better, without thought or stress, then what happens?  You stop thinking about your voice, and start focusing on your story.

Your story is what underlies the lyric and is your means to inspire, instruct, or touch your audience.  Never forget that you are a storyteller, first and foremost.  Being a technically good singer is just icing on the cake.  The mark of great singers is not how brilliant their techniques are, but how adept they are at eliciting emotion from their listeners.

Take voice lessons to learn how to sing better and overcome your vocal challenges so that you can stop thinking about technique, and begin thinking about the character who is singing through you.

Voice lessons allow you to stop thinking about technique
 and start thinking about the story you're telling

Pronunciation

One thing I work on a lot with my singers and speakers is pronunciation.  I remind them that even though they may feel that they are speaking or singing clearly, usually they are not being clearly understood.

When you take the stage, you've got to remember that your audience has probably never heard you before, the topic you are speaking about, or the lyrics to your songs.  When you introduce yourself, most of your audience will be hearing your name for the first time, so you want to make sure that they understand your name and what company you are with!  Don't just toss it off like it's a grocery list, say your name as though it's very important to you, and important for the audience to know, also!

Most singers think that their lyrics are very clear, but it's my experience to the contrary.  I rarely understand someone's lyrics.  So I work with singers in opening up their words.  Not to over-pronounce and be phony or exaggerated, but to make space inside their mouth for the words to come out clearly.  When you don't do this, you smash your words down and they aren't understandable.

To practice, just experiment with exaggerating your lyrics or spoken word, and test it out on your friends.  Ask them if you sound over the top.  If so, back off a bit.  But I'll bet you'll be surprised that they'll say 'I understood you fine - you weren't exaggerated at all!'  What feels too open to you, is probably just about right in the real world of singing and speaking!  Be confident enough in yourself to speak or sing in a way that you will be heard, and understood.  Don't be afraid to pronounce your words.

Open up your words

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!

                                                      

What Is Your Song About?

When I'm working with students and they've just finished singing a song for the first time, the first question I ask is - 'what is this song about?'  Shockingly, most people say 'I don't know!'  How can you tell a story, when you don't know what the story is about?  Well, I guess you could, but if you don't have a clue about what story you're telling, don't expect your audience to care a bit about your song!

Singing is about communication, and in order to have your audience feel something you have to be feeling something yourself.  Otherwise, you're just spouting empty words and phrases with no emotion behind them.  You might as well be speaking a foreign language or gibberish!

Look at your lyrics.  Understand the point of view of the character who is singing through you.  Get to the subtext of the lyric….what emotion underlies the words you are singing?  Then, feel that emotion, don't just sing the words, feel the words.  Your audience will not only understand your story, but they will relate to the emotion contained in the lyrics that you are expertly delivering.

So before you even start singing a song, ask yourself 'what is this song about?', making sure that the lyric is appropriate for your age, as well as your life experience.  A ten year old girl shouldn't be singing a song about divorce or a lost love, but strangely I hear this with students all the time.  Pick a lyric that you can relate to emotionally, then let those emotions carry through the story of the song.  You will connect with your audience in a way that will make your performance emotionally supercharged and unbelievably memorable!

So, 'what is your song about?'

Let Emotion Help You Hit Your Notes

A really amazing thing happens when you lock into the emotion of your song and stop thinking about technique -- you can easily hit notes that might be a challenge for you.  Why does this happen?  First, because since singing is 90 percent mental, when you stop thinking about your problem notes, your emotion gives you the vocal power to hit those notes easily.

Second, when you're singing in the emotional moment, your fear disappears!  Fear keeps you from going fully for a note, and without total conviction and full support, your fear will keep you from your best performance.

 

So get into the emotion of your song, stop thinking, and let your voice fly free!

                                                              

Don't Sing Like a Trumpet Player

I recently worked with a man who had played trumpet all his life.  He had bought my book From Shower To Stage….7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!, and when he got to the breathing section he hit a snag.

When you sing, you have to have a soft belly, and essentially breathe from the diaphragm, allowing the tummy to be relaxed.  He was so used to making his stomach tight, and pushing out the sound while playing trumpet, that it was a major adjustment for him to breathe with a soft belly.

If there's any tension in your body there will be tension in your throat.  In the Lawrence Vocal System you let all that tension go, relax the tummy, relax the jaw, relax the throat, and just allow your unimpeded voice to flow out.  It's that simple!

But most of my students have to do a lot of work on letting go of past conditioning, both mental and physical.  They have to learn that the way they used to sing no longer works, and they have to be open to adopting a new way of approaching their vocal production.  Their willingness to let those old habits go will speed their ability to sing easily without strain or stress.

So if you used to play trumpet and push your sound out with a lot of force; if you used to support your tone by pushing your stomach out; if you used to make your voice louder by putting more pressure on your throat; just know that those are old destructive habits that no longer serve you. Let go of the idea that you have to sing like a trumpet player. There is a better way!

Can You Say 'Ahhhhh?'

One of the secrets to great singing, which also happens to be one of my 7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!, is keeping an open throat while singing.  In order to get a rich, full sound, you want the soft palate raised while the back of the tongue stays relaxed and flat.  This gives maximum 'space' for your tone to exit the mouth without obstructions.  Many times when the throat is not fully open, you will get a sound that is pinched.  When the tongue is raised in the middle, your sound shoots right up the nose, giving you a very nasally sound.

So how do you develop an open throat?  Simple!  Start practicing a fake 'yawn,' feeling the throat open and widen as you do this.  When you've mastered the 'yawn,' then just adopt that same open feeling before and during your singing.  This will raise the soft palate, flatten the tongue and lower the larynx.

Remember when the doctor would look in your throat with the tongue depressor?  Same thing.  He was flattening your tongue as your 'ahhhhh' raised the soft palate!

So the next time you begin singing, think of how your throat feels when you say 'ahhhhh' and keep that open feeling as you sing.  A simple concept, but one that takes practice and awareness.

To sing well, just say 'ahhhhh'!

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."

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!

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

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

Raise Your Voices Together!

Tonight in the Joyful Singing class I'm teaching in Salt Lake City we had tons of fun!  We started out doing our breathing exercises, vocalizing, then instead of sitting apart we all 'clumped up together to sing.

It's amazing how the energy in the room changed!  All of a sudden we were a happy, supported group, not a bunch of separate entities singing alone.  On one song I had the group split in two and sing facing each other.  It was great practice for making eye contact (a fear for many performers) and further solidified the warm, fuzzy feeling in the room!

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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!

Singing For Health at Osher Institute

Singing is a great way to energize your mind and body while enjoying the company of other folks who like to sing just for the fun of it!

For all my Utah friends....I'll be teaching 'Singing For Health!' at the University of Utah's Osher Institute beginning January 14th. It'll be a fun (and healthy!) group singing class. 

You can register now:

http://continue.utah.edu/osher/

Start Kids Early!

Next time you hear a toddler using their voice, listen to the strength and clarity of the tone. To maintain this natural voice, start your child early with healthy vocal habits that will help to keep the voice free, open and relaxed - all attributes that will make singing a joyful experience at any age!

Poll: Can everyone sing???

I took posted a poll on Facebook, asking "Do you believe that Everyone can sing?" Here are the results:

100% believe that everyone can sing. 75% believe that NOT everyone can sing ON PITCH. And we all agree that not everyone is an artist.

Would you believe me when I tell you that I've found most pitch problems to be caused by improper breathing/support, and that all my clients improve in this area once they start supporting?!!! True!

Singing To Your Baby

One of the most cherished memories from my childhood is remembering my mom singing me to sleep. If you're a soon-to-be, new, or seasoned parent, don't overlook the importance of singing to your child, even before birth!

Even if you think you can't sing, your baby will not only recognize, but IDOLIZE your voice. There are no 'American Idol' judges when it comes to the sound of your voice. To your baby, it's sweet music. A lullaby will soothe and calm a sick or agitated baby; distract a willful child, and redirect a fussy behavior.

Try making up a simple melody that you sing to your baby, that will be his/her unique song. It will become a familiar part of your day, and nightly routine.

And parents! If you want a good nights sleep for your child, AND yourself, put on a lovely lullaby CD at bedside and your baby will have a tranquil and restful sleep.....and what could be better than that?