Tips for Powerful Performance, Part 1

Prepare before you sing

Preparation - Do Your Homework!

 
Know your music - inside and out. Know the arc of the song.

Work on the technical aspects. Get all of the rough edges handled technically so that you are comfortable singing the song and can make it yours.

Know your text. Understand the meaning and significance of every word, even if it’s in English!

Know your character and plot. You must know who your character is and know the story line. What is the purpose of your song? Know the who, what, where, when and why.

Say the text as a monologue in the mirror. If in a foreign language, paraphrase in your own words first, then say the text as written. Make sure your facial expression and body movement are natural.

Excerpted from http://www.healthyvocaltechnique.com/index.php?function=viewarticle&categoryid=6&articleid=4



 

Don't Lose Sales Because of A Nasal Voice!

Speakers and Presenters do one important thing.....they speak.  It's important that when you communicate with people you are aware that the sound of your voice is a crucial component in how your 'message' will be received by the listener.

If you've been told that you have a 'nasal' voice, here's a very easy way to get rid of that annoying sound!  This is one of the '7 Easy Steps' in my book From Shower To Stage....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro! and applies to anyone who uses their voice for speaking or singing.

s

Share

Whitney Houston Star Spangled Banner

What an incredible performance!  This is what I call 'going for it'!  She sang this with so much energy, courage and confidence that it really is one of the best renditions I've every seen or heard.  Although she had her demons and fought her own internal battles, I know that she reclaimed her beautiful soul and stunning voice when she left this plane.  Sing on, lovely Whitney!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Cheers,  Beth Lawrence

Share

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!

                                                              

Do Senior Singers Live Longer?

This from Bryant Stamford, professor and chairman of the department of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College:

"Research tells us, there was a study of senior singers, average age 80 years, in which they were tracked over a prolonged period and their data were compared with folks the same age in the general population. The researchers found that the elderly singers experienced less depression, took far fewer than the typical four prescription medications and a like number of over-the-counter meds, and they were more socially active.

Does this mean the older singers will live longer? Hard to say, but it’s not a far reach to suggest the answer is yes.

We know, for example, that the mind-body connection is very important, and that health and longevity of the body can be influenced by mental state (depression, etc.). Medications and their side effects greatly impact the quality of life, and if there is poor quality of life, the zest for living goes out the window. And those with a strong social network are likely to be happier, better adjusted in old age, and more accepting of change, and therefore likely to live longer and healthier lives."

So I say, again - get out there and sing, no matter what your age!  You will feel better, and just possibly live a longer, healthier life!  Want help with your singing?  My new book From Shower To Stage...7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!  can help!

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."

David Burger, SL Tribune, Blogs about my Book!

Thank you to David Burger, the music critic for the Salt Lake Tribune. He blogged about my book "From Shower To Stage....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!" today, and talked a bit about how I help shy singers 'come out of the closet'!!

David's Entertainment Blog

President Omama Talks About Singing In the Shower!

Here's a bit of what President Obama said when announcing the Kennedy Center Honors recipients.  You see, even the President sings in the shower!  I should gift him my book From Shower To Stage.....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!


"Now, at first glance the men and women on this stage could not be more different. They come from different generations, different walks of life. They have different talents, and they've traveled different paths. And yet they belong here together. Because each of tonight's honorees has felt the need to express themselves and share that expression with the world.

It's a feeling that all of us have at some point in our lives. That's why we sing, even if it's just in the shower. (Laughter.) It's why we act, even if we never get past the school auditorium. That's why we dance, even if, as Michelle says, I look silly doing it. (Laughter.) It's one of the downsides of being President: Your dance moves end up on YouTube. (Laughter.)

But tonight's honorees take it a step further. By expressing themselves, they help us learn something about ourselves. They make us laugh. They move us to tears. They bring us together, and they push the boundaries of what we think is possible. And each of them has been blessed with an extraordinary gift. Tonight, we thank them for sharing that gift with us."

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-President-Obamas-Kennedy-Center-Honorees-Remarks-Barbara-Cook-More-20111204#ixzz1ffj8PXY7

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!

Viva La Voice Welcome Video

I've been tweaking my websites lately and uploaded a 'welcome' video on my Viva La Voice site.  I had shot the video in Hawaii, and have learned a good videographer lesson.....don't shoot your video near rushing water!

I love waterfalls, the ocean, running streams etc., so I think I have a penchant for shooting my videos near these hazards!  My Viva La Voice welcome video was shot in a gorgeous hotel lobby, but as you'll note, there's a lot of water noise.  I hope it won't be too annoying to you all.

I like to shoot things on the fly....no preparation....just find a lovely spot, point, and shoot!  I guess that's my signature....videos shot in interesting, beautiful places that aren't necessarily quiet or private.  I think that's okay - that's me - informal!  Enjoy!

Singers - Pitch Problems Solved!

If you're a singer who has been told you have 'pitch problems', my Lawrence Vocal System offers a simple solution! Take a look at my newest article on Muse's Muse in my Viva La Voice column on how to get on pitch and start singing with confidence!

Singers -Don't Think Too Much!

It's important not to think too much when you're singing! Really - if you're thinking about technique; thinking about the audience response; thinking about anything but the story you're telling then you will never be emotionally connected to your song, OR your audience. Get out of your head and start FEELING your music. It doesn't matter if you're 'perfect' -just share an emotionally memorable performance and your audience will love it.

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!