Monday, January 16, 2023

Interview With Gena Thurston - PT For Voice

Gena joined me from 'the room where it happens'

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube

Other than an anesthesiologist wielding an endotracheal tube, I’ve never let anyone touch my throat, inside OR out, until I met my guest today. Listen in to my interview with vocal tension’s worst foe: physical therapist Gena Thurston!

Things we talked about

Why a vocalist might want to work with a physical therapist
How Gena developed her unique, multifaceted approach to treating patients
How it was to work with the cast of Hamilton
Working with muscle tension dysphonia
The tricky subject of powering the voice from the pelvic floor without overdoing it
Back muscles, singing in heels (thanks for those questions, Mark Thress:)
Specific exercises she demonstrates on her Instagram feed
Why, when and how to book an appointment with Gena

About Gena

Gena Thurston is a PT (physical therapist), DPT (doctor of physical therapy), CIDN (certification in dry needling) professional who works with a unique mix of orthopedic manual therapy, myofascial release, dry needling, manual-resisted exercise, cupping and vocal massage.

She works with a wide variety of patients and ailments, but has a special interest in singers and musicians with vocal tension. Having worked extensively with Broadway singers including the cast of Hamilton, Nashville is very fortunate that she now practices as part of Steve Kravitz Physical Therapy.

Gena's links:

Website: https://stevekravitz.com/our-team/gena-thurston/
Instagram: @thevocalpt
Her mentor Walt Fritz's courses: https://www.treatingtmj.com/foundations-in-manual-therapy-voice-and-swallowing-disorders/

Friday, January 6, 2023

12 Vocal Resolutions To Rock the New Year -Updated

NOTE: The audio player should appear below, if not, please click on the title of this post and go online to hear.

Available also on iTunes , Google Play, TuneIn Radio, Android apps

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

WHEW, We made it to 2023! I hereby challenge you to make this the best year ever for your voice! Here are some ideas to help you begin this January with intention and openness for opportunities to come for you and the people you can touch.

I know a lot of folks are down on the idea of resolutions, saying they don't work. In my experience, it's all in the way you resolve yourself! Consider the word 'resolute'. If you are resolute, then you absolutely intend and expect to do something... you don't just muse about attempting it someday! Among the many things you might want to make new year resolutions about, please include your voice! Here are my 12 suggestions:

1. Resolve to assess the state of your voice.

All change starts with awareness. On a previous post, I suggested that you figure out your next most important thing for your voice, and start working on that. You can do this many ways... record and assess your voice yourself, ask friends with ears you trust what they hear in your performance, ask yourself how your voice feels when you sing (and right afterwards), attend a workshop or other event where you can showcase your voice and get an informed opinion, or in vocal lessons. If you think you might have vocal damage, go to an ENT fellowship trained specializing in voice. However you do it... get a baseline of the current condition of your voice. And while you're at it, assess the state of your overall health because your body IS your instrument!

2. Resolve to do something about your weakest vocal area.

Becoming aware is only the first step. Now you have to do something about what you've discovered. If your pitch sucks, do pitch practice. If your feel for rhythm is lacking, take drum or dance lessons. If your voice gets tired or strained, find out the fixes for the causes of your vocal cord abuse. If you have breath, tight throat or communication issues, find out what to practice, and then... get on a practice schedule!

3. Resolve to warm up and warm down your voice

OK can I tell you how nuts it is to perform on a cold voice? Try running an engine without oil. That's how nuts. Make a decision to warm up correctly, even if it's for 5 or 10 minutes, and that goes for in-between sets, too! Then do cool down exercises (light, shorter versions of warm ups) after long performances. Just as with muscle effort in athletics, your vocal apparatus needs the cool down to recover more quickly from strenuous use.

4. Resolve to address your speaking voice.

Frequently when a trashed voice comes in to train with me, I find that one of the core causes of the strain is from talking! You use the same little cords to speak that you sing with. Let that sink in. If talking tires you, change your technique. Yes, it will take concentration at first to correct life-long habits, but every speaking voice I've worked with will tell you it's worth it. And if you really want to go the distance, investigate voiceover careers! Fyi, I have the ultimate training course now available at www.SpeakingVoiceTechnique.com.

5. Resolve to get out of your comfort zone.

Your voice needs fresh fire to stay alive, present and growing. Even if you never do the song in public, learn something with lower or higher range (don't push, just pull strongly to challenge your voice without strain), learn a cover song in another genre, or write a song with a new co-writer!

6. Resolve to improve something you already do well.

No matter where you are in the vocal ability continuum, you can improve. Ask yourself deeply: what would you like to be able to do that you can't do now? Could you be less numb and more authentic when you sing or speak? Could your pitch accuracy be even better? Want even more control for vocal licks, volume, tone, whatever? Do you want to sing as well in the studio as you do live, or vice versa? Want to try another musical genre? Oh yes, you can.

7. Resolve to study some masters of your genre.

You may even be a master of your genre, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from other voices. Immerse yourself to study the vocal nuances of some singer or speaker you highly respect. Stick your headphones on and listen deeply. Practice to add what you hear and like to your own artistic vocabulary.

8. Resolve to set goals for your vocal performances.

What would you like to do with your voice? Where would you like to sing next year? What protocols would you need to follow for the pandemic era? Would you like to record something? Would you like to give a speech at some event? (Yes, the era of venue closings WILL end!) Would you like to sing to a loved one or at someone's wedding? Do better at songwriter rounds? Would you like to pursue a serious vocal career? or be more successful at growing the one you have? Write it down. You won't necessarily know the final outcome of your efforts, but your focused intentions can create attitudes which cause actions that lead to results... and sometimes create surprises you never would have imagined!

9. Resolve to have and nourish a small circle of trusted friends.

An artistic temperament is often rather reclusive, shy or lone-wolf-ish. But even the most creative spirit needs community. Each of us need a small circle of positivity, wisdom, encouragement and mutual accountability. It can keep us safe in times of failure AND success, growing and creating, and making a difference out there. A prosperous journey only takes place fully in connection with others. If you don't have this inner circle... resolve to find one! If you do... call, message, go see them or kiss them good morning regularly this year! And yes, you can have great brainstorming chats online... I do every week!

10. Resolve to take better care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually

Yep. All this has to do with your voice. Do take care of your vocal health (signup for my free vocal health report if you haven't yet). If you haven't yet... STOP SMOKING! Eat healthier (a whole new set of resolutions, eh?), commit to more physical exercise, back off sources of stress, connect spiritually in more regular devotional times. Your life, your voice and your messages will show it.

11. Resolve to sing fearlessly.

No matter how 'good' or 'bad' you think your voice is, your voice is valid and your messages matter. Sing. Speak. Use your voice fearlessly to make the world a better place! And when you start to do well out there, read over my post on Responsibilities of Successful Voices.

12. Resolve to be a better listener.

Don't forget that your ears are as important as your vocal cords. Empowering other voices truly can change the world. Make a point to listen more closely to someone else. Right now ask yourself: who is the quietest voice that you know? Perhaps start there ... make time and lend them your ear like it means something to you. It will.

Need help?

If you want some professional help with your singing &/or speaking voice... contact me for vocal lessons, or invest in a Power, Path & Performance course or Speaking Voice Technique to study on your own.

Meanwhile... Happy New Year!!

Labels: all things vocal, artist development, Judy Rodman, new year resolutions, vocal careers, vocal technique, vocal warm-up

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

A Great Vocal Exercise For Smoothing Vocal Glitches

Today's post is a VIDEO vocal exercise demonstration! Yes, it's on my podcast as well, but I thought you might like to watch this one if you can.

Quite often I find it's the weird vocal exercise that works the best. My colleague vocal coach Mark Thress shared this scale with me (thank you, Mark!) and I 'morphed it' beyond recognition into this vocal glitch fix. This is the exercise I talked about in my previous post 'How I Lost My Voice (So You Don't Have To)' I promised I'd demonstrate it and I finally got around to it.

Just be careful... correct form is everything in exercises and it's certainly true of this one. Please notice it's veeeeerrrrrrryyyy stretchy; if you don't take your time and do this in slow motion it won't do your voice nearly as much good.

Please leave a comment and let me know how you experience it! And of course, let me know if you'd like to book a lesson for personalized help. And if you know anyone else who you think could benefit, pass this on. Thank you!

Labels: all things vocal, Judy Rodman, singing lessons, vocal exercise, vocal glitches, vocal problems, vocal repair, vocal training

Friday, November 25, 2022

Gift Suggestions for Singers, Songwriters, Speakers and Musicians UPDATED 2022

...whatever it is, wrap it with love

Do you have singers, speakers and/or musicians on your gift list? Here are some suggestions, updated for 2022:

$25 or less...

Music! Support music creators with a gift that keeps on giving... a single or a whole album project. Here are 8 places you can purchase music online, or go to an artist's website to order (they make more money that way). Or go all-in with the great sound and look of vinyl!
My digital or physical 1-CD Power, Path and Performance vocal training course - hey, try that discount code... it just might still work! FALL22SAVE25
Great Speakers Use Acting Technique book by acting coach Barbara Kite.
Nothing Left To Lose But Everything To Gain book by Natalie Hall of The Hall Sisters
The Musician's Essential Exercises - by personal fitness expert Angela McCuiston, owner of 'Music Strong'
An acoustic cellphone amplifier (yep, google that and you'll find all kinds!
EarPlanes (for inflight ear discomfort - they work!)
A camera tripod
The Singer's Mask
Other good quality, comfortable masks to protect them from Covid when they are in public interacting with fans and music industry people.
The Martian Popping Thing (a.k.a. 'Panic Pete'), I use it to train breath technique; it's also a hand/finger exerciser and a mental stress reliever!
A neck scarf or shawl for blocking cold air to tender throats..
A music theory book
A flexible cellphone stand... great for videoing gigs, youtube performances, doing Facebook live videos, etc!
Voice therapist/speech pathologist Joana Cazden's book 'Every Day Voice Care'
Guitar Tuner or Metronome
Stage wear bling for clothes or hair
Mic stand pic holder (maybe add some pics!)
Instrument strings
A small percussion instrument (tambourine, egg shaker, etc.)
Membership for speakers in Toastmasters
An immune boosting supplement. There are tons of choices, a couple of suggestions I have include this buffered vitamin C powder -easy on the stomach but powerful; and On Guard cough drops from DoTerra.
Stainless steel, glass or BPA-free water container... and maybe add a 6 pack of Dole's pineapple juice (great throat soother and hydrator for stage and studio)
Lisa Aschmann's 1,000 Songwriting Ideas
Neti Pot (plastic or ceramic, maybe add pkg of neti pot salt and/or herbal wash)
A full length mirror (for singers, singer-dancers, musical theater actors, public speakers)
A humidifier or vaporizer. If you prefer a cool air humidifier, here's one that self cleans. And here is a unique, small humidifier powered by USB. I prefer warm air vaporizers. But I'm not sure there's a lot of difference.
Pack of strings (find a sneaky way to make sure you know the instrumentalists' preference)
Instrument cleaner, polish or string changing wrench
Alan Carr's "Easy Way To Stop Smoking" (for the voice and for life)
A music business staple: Passman's "All You Need To Know About The Music Business"
My last album John and Judy Rodman's "Here We Are".

$26 - $65

Singing In The Studio course (the ultimate professional level course for any singer who will be recording vocals.) Try that coupon to see if it still works: FALL22SAVE25
Vocal Production Workshop (for engineers/producers who want to get the best vocals possible out of their singers) For this too.. coupon might still work!
FALL22SAVE25
HearFones I have a limited number in stock right now. (Domestic shipping only, sorry, no coupon. I price them as low as I can.)
1/2 hour vocal lesson with me in-person, online or phone (I'll provide gift certificate)
Microphome foam microphone cleaner All of us should have a bottle of this.
A limited subscription to Netflix or boxed set of a TV series (for idle hours on the tour bus)
A music "fake book" or sheet music
Stands - music stand, mic stand, guitar stand
iPad stand holder
Tickets to a live concert event
A mini-trampoline for core and wellness physical workouts all voices need.
A thumb drive for music tracks and vocal exercises
Mp3 speakers (some of the cheap ones sound fine and work with not only iPhones but also Android phones, tablets, laptops, etc.)
iPhone adapter (for newer iPhones that don't have a phone jack)

$65 - $250

One or two hours of vocal lessons with me in office or online (I'll provide gift certificate)
Speaking Voice Technique video vocal training course
My full UPDATED 6-disc Power, Path and Performance vocal training course - again, try that coupon FALL22SAVE25 . Please specify if you want the course on disc, or prefer the files on thumb drive - or just the digital version
A membership subscription to CARTNE music career training.
A 'Little Prompter' teleprompter for cellphone, laptop, computer (I love mine!)
A JBL Bluetooth Speaker
A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as ProTools, Studio One, Logic, Reaper.
A course by Bree Noble in music business such as "Profitable House Concerts" (she has several more)
Music marketing/promotion training by Rick Barker
A backup hard drive for recording projects
A Cajon, Djembe or frame drum
A new smartphone and/or data package
Membership(s) in NSAI (for songwriters), AFM (Musician's Union) or SAG/AFTRA (singer/actor union)
Photoshop Elements (An affordable version to create web banners, flyers, edit photos, all kinds of photo uses)
Masterwriter software
Gym membership and/or personal trainer (for health, looks AND vocal stamina!)
Acting or dance lessons... Google classes and prices in your area, get recommendations.
Live performance coaching
A microphone - spend some time finding out what is needed. Will it be for stage performance or recording? For a speaker, say a lavalier mic system (this is what I have)? A podcast? There are cheap and more expensive mics for all these applications, do some digging around. An economical time-tested stage or rehearsal workhorse is the Shure SM58 or Sennheiser 835.
Mp3 player or speaker (and if you're dealing with the newer iPhone, you'll need wireless)
A small mixing board
A quality pair of headphones
A turntable (LP vinyl player - and hey, discriminating ears love vinyl!)
An instrument case with wheels, or lightweight gig bag
Digital recorder
Surprise your performer at a show with flowers!

$250 and up...

Funding for my vocal production and/or bgvs (contact me if you'd like to discuss)
A series of vocal lessons with me (I'll be happy to provide a gift certificate)
Lessons on an instrument.
Mixing board
A camera, GoPro or camcorder
The Shure SM7B cardiod dynamic vocal microphone (I am now recording bgvs and my podcast on this).
An audio interface - simple, or complex like the Apollo (mine is the Twin - the PC version) which comes with console and plugins.
A web or Facebook designer
DragonSpeak - Voice Recognition Software (for songwriters and speech writers)
In-ear monitors
Stage clothes and/or bling
Wireless mic system
A photo session
CD graphics design
A music marketing seminar or bootcamp
Funding for video shoot
An instrument.. guitar, keyboard, mandolin, violin, etc
New road cases
Home studio recording gear
A live PA system

Gifts of Your time/expertise -

Host an outdoor socially distanced karaoke party or guitar pull!
Write song charts for your loved one.
Set them up on a social network they are new to.
Teach them to use some software you know they need.
Videotape them for TikTok, Instagram, Youtube Live or Facebook Live.
Do or better yet, teach them how to do some video or audio editing, such as with Audacity (free software).
Type up and organize their worktapes and lyrics, or convert them digitally and save.
Write a song in honor of them them (priceless!)
Commit to a number of hours of computer work... updating databases, uploading videos and pictures, social network friending, researching, etc.
If you have a home studio, record a song demo or worktape on them.
Carve out special time to listen and critique their song, performance, speech.
Give them a day of complete voice rest! Do the talking for them.
Babysit or dog sit while they perform, record or attend someone else's show.
Attend their online show and invite friends!
Recommend their music or show on your social network sites

Or...get creative. Give to a charity in your loved one's name, buy them a star, make a memory spending some time together in a group Zoom or Skype meeting, or volunteering to help safely deliver food or other goods to doorsteps of those in need!

Now: What do YOU want for Christmas? You can leave a hint here in the comments and then send a link to the post:) I intend to update this list every year... so bookmark this post and check back whenever it's gift-giving time for you again!

Labels: all things vocal, Christmas gifts for musicians, gift ideas for musicians, gift ideas for singers, gift ideas for songwriters, gift ideas for speakers, gift ideas for voices, holiday gifts, Judy Rodman

Monday, November 21, 2022

Barbara Kite Interview - Acting Technique for Voices

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

Prefer video? Watch on Youtube.

This episode begins with my guest Barbara Kite taking me through a quick centering exercise (you can join us). Then this veteran acting coach generously shares some trade secrets from the world of acting that can help speakers, singers and even songwriters. It's a fascinating subject I've long been interested in, and I think you'll gain some insight that will help you in your next performance.

About Barbara Kite:

Barbara is a New York-trained actress and has worked as a professional actor, director and acting coach in Toronto, New York and Portland for over 30 years. She has helped speakers, actors, writers, film-makers, directors and singers to grow in their art and their life.

She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NY), receiving the Jehlinger Award in recognition of her work. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and received a scholarship to study in Poland at the Grotowski workshop as well as at the Film Institute in Lublin.

Her professional work includes over 300 movies, television series, soaps, commercials, industrials and voice-overs, and she has published a book called ‘Great Speakers Use Acting Skills’. She’s a member of National Speakers Association, SAG-AFTRA and the Canadian union ACTRA, and AEA (Actors' Equity Association.

Barbara's professional credits include:
All My Children, As the World Turns, So the Story Goes, Duplicates, Without Warning: Terror in the Towers, Praying Mantis, Under Suspicion and Nowhere Man. Theatre credits (New York and Toronto) include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Beau Strategem, Hay Fever, Round and Round the Garden, A Little Night Music, The Cat and the Canary, Icarus’s Mother and Trojan Women.

She collaborated with poet/playwright Victoria Sullivan as Co-artistic Director of the Women’s Production Company in New York City where she directed and acted in plays specifically written for and about women. As a speaking/presentation coach, Barbara works as a consultant for various firms as well as conducting private sessions in authentic communication.

Links mentioned:

Barbara's website, her coaching and her book "Great Speakers Use Acting Skills" https://barbarakite.com/
Her son Noah Kite and his 'chamber folk' music https://www.noahkite.com/

Need your help:

I could really use some new ratings (5 stars would help raise the rating of the podcast, especially on iTunes).

Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/atv
Choose your app (iTunes if you have it installed on phone, Windows PC or Mac computer)
Leave your rating and review.

A big hug to any of you that take a moment to do this. I have 40 five-star ratings but 6 gave three & four stars which are pulling the overall rating down. Thank you for your help!

Labels: acting technique, all things vocal, Barbara Kite, Judy Rodman, professional vocal training, public speaking tips, Speaking Voice, vocal lessons

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Mat Kearney Interview - Making Pop Music Matter

This chat with Mat was pure joy!

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

or watch video version on YouTube

My guest today wasn’t a musician or songwriter in high school - he was a soccer player ! But in mid-college, he experienced a major paradigm shift in his life, stopped some pretty hard partying and started playing… guitar. Unable to play cover songs well, he began to write his own. That was 1.6 million albums sold and 2.5 billion streams ago. Woah…How did that happen? Listen up as I chat with the one and only Mat Kearney!

Things we talked about:

His early life as a skater, soccer player and making up songs to rap tracks
Experimenting with a friend's guitar, college with a major in literature
How that early life informed what would become his unique musical style
His first vocal lessons with me
The difference focusing on lyric-to-heart made in Mat's singing
The green sticker (that I couldn't find!)
How his style morphed from free style rap to folk/pop in a great pocket
The core job of an artist
A story of creating hit song 'Closer To Love'
The pressure of a hit career numbing out joy; rediscovering that joy in reconnecting to vocal
Streaming as a financial boon for the recordings he owns
His kids discovering his music lessons
Writing 'THE' song for Oregon; playing his hometown

Here's his video for"Closer To Love"

More About Mat

Mat Kearny was born in Eugene, Oregon. He went to California State University (Chico) on an athletic scholarship, but majored in literature. He traveled with his friend al debut album Bullet in 2004.. When Mat showed up at our first vocal lesson, he was a brilliant free-style rapper, writing hip-hop lyrics with healing messages informed by his journey and experiences along the way. But along with words and grooves, there were melodies in his mind, so he wanted to grow his ability to sing instead of just rap. And he was serious!

After a couple of years of vocal training, Mat was signed to a very rare dual deal… on both pop and Christian labels (InPop and Aware?). His first major label release was the album Nothing Left To Lose, which contained some re-worked songs from his debut album (still on repeat for me) ‘Bullet’. A single titled ‘Undeniable’… was at the time the fastest added single in the history of Christian Hit Radio.

VH1 kept ‘Nothing Left To Lose’ in rotation for 45 weeks, and he headlined the channel’s first ‘You Ought To Know’ tour.

Besides headlining tours of his own, Mat has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Keane Owl City, The Fray, Jason Mraz, Vedera Newsboys, MUTEMATH, Meiko, Cary Brothers, The Helio Sequence and many more. He has performed in uber major venues including Madison Square Garden and TV show stages including Letterman.

Now on his 6th studio album, Mat has become a multi-platinum selling artist and imho is one of the best live performers out there. His most recent release is the album ‘January Flowers’, his latest greatest co-production with his wife, is a brand new little human!

Mat’s Links:

Website: https://www.matkearney.com/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Kearney

Want help with YOUR voice?

Check out all the ways I can help you at my website. Be sure and download my (free) 9-page report on vocal health!
You can also comment on this blogpost... I'd love to know your questions and thoughts!

Labels: all things vocal, artist developement, Judy Rodman, Mat Kearney, vocal lessons, vocal training

Monday, September 19, 2022

Raising and lowering the Larynx - should you? UPDATED 2022

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

How high or low should your larynx be when you sing? This question is steeped in controversy and misunderstanding. However, it's also vitally important. Get it too wrong and you'll have some big vocal problems.

The controversy

Voice teachers don't always agree on what's best. If I understand it correctly (and please note I am not an expert in this kind of training), the Speech Level Singing (or SLS) method of Seth Riggs teaches that you should always have your larynx at the same level that you speak. However, vocal coach Lisa Popiel suggests that there are times you would be correct to slightly raise or lower the larynx. She names 5 laryngeal positions, from #1 which is very raised to #5 which is very lowered.

She suggests that some rock singing and saucy musical theater tends to use a slightly more raised position (#2),
while classical, cabaret jazz and some R&B singing requires a slightly lowered position (#4).
She warns that no one should ever use positions #1 (very raised) or #5 (very lowered).

Vocal coach Molly Webb also advises a movable larynx, and discusses the possible origins of the 'stable larynx' training. Quoting her from her article:

The larynx does (and should) move when you sing, and not just for controversial techniques like belting. Even in classical singing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies have confirmed that the larynx gently rises up on the higher pitches, and depresses on the lower ones.

Here's what I recommend, from my experience with my and my clients' voices:

As long as you only raise or lower the larynx so that you don't feel your throat or experience strain or fatigue, what you're doing is fine. In fact, as a session singer (or stunt singer, as I call it), I have to do sometimes over-do this to blend with all kinds of voices and styles for recording. Changing the level of the larynx is a way to create more tone colors than usual. Various character roles in musical theater can require more unusual tone choices, too.

In fact, it's not just slight raising and lowering that we need to allow. To accomplish higher notes, the thyroid cartilage which comprises the largest part of the larynx needs to be free to tilt in your neck! Tension in and around the larynx from trying to keep the Adam's apple stationary can interfere with these movements. What's the Adam's apple you say? Officially named the larygeal prominence, it's the pointy front of the thyroid cartilage that sticks out as a bump right in the middle of the neck. It's very noticeable in a man but a woman has a small one, too. I like to call it 'Eve's apple'! The front end of the vocal cords are attached directly behind it.

However, and it's a great big 'however', you should not lower or raise your larynx to the point that you become aware of it. That will give you vocal problems. Most contemporary genre singing really should be in what Lisa Popiel would call #3, the middle position, with the larynx freely and comfortably floating and tilting in the throat.

What can you do if your Adam's apple and larynx are too stationary, not free to move?

Well, a real ninja trick that works here is to get your jaw dropping and moving more flexibly in a bit of a chewing circle. A freer jaw will let the base of your tongue relax so it relaxes its tense restriction on the movement of the hyoid bone, which is the top of your larynx. To paraphrase the old song 'the jawbone's (indirectly) connected to the hyoid bone...'

What can you do if you are raising or lowering your voice box (larynx) too much?

Learning to PULL instead of PUSH your voice, as taught in my Power, Path & Performance method, is the best way I've found to protect your delicate and precious vocal instrument, and will help you immensely. This pulling instead of pushing for sound, among other things, allows the larynx to determine it's best position with no outside interference. Also...

Here is a very effective exercise I adapted for my students from yet another great voice teacher, the late Jeannie Deva:

Lightly touch your adam's apple with the tips of your fingers. Feel for it in the middle of the front of your neck; and ladies it will just be a little bump. Again, this is where the vocal cords are attached at one end, inside the thyroid cartilage. Now, just let your fingers be "brain flashlights" and make a mental intention not to tense the area under your fingers as you sing. It's an amazing tactic when your larynx tries to lift for high notes. Notice how high notes, including higher middle voice notes, just float out almost effortlessly instead of strain!

For low notes, try this to keep your larynx from lowering too much: Stand tall and put your hand on your sternum and try to pull your voice from there. It will help your lower notes sound rich, not hooty, and will feel better, too. Don't bend over or down to get the notes. Be aware of the vibration and keep your chest open.

In conclusion: Go with what WORKS:

These are great voice teachers I've named in this post. It can get confusing, I know, when experts differ. All I can be sure of is what I've experienced that WORKS, and this should be your criteria, too. From my experience, I say mostly just keep your larynx happily floating, actually rocking a bit, in the center of your neck. Allowing it the freedom to move slightly lower or higher should give your voice a wider range without strain!

Want some incredibly effective vocal exercises to get this right? Either book a lesson with me or get one of my vocal training products, all of which include not only exercises, but how to do them.

Want to see more detail?

Here's a great video tutorial put out by AnatomyZone. For shortcuts, go to:

1:45 min for the hyoid bone.
4:45 min for the thyroid cartilage and the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple).

Labels: Vocal_Techniques

Vocal Coach • Vocal Producer • Recording Producer • Songwriter • Recording Artist • Public Speaker

All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast by Judy Rodman

Monday, January 16, 2023

Interview With Gena Thurston - PT For Voice

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube

Things we talked about

About Gena

Friday, January 6, 2023

12 Vocal Resolutions To Rock the New Year -Updated

Listen & subscribe on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

1. Resolve to assess the state of your voice.

2. Resolve to do something about your weakest vocal area.

3. Resolve to warm up and warm down your voice

4. Resolve to address your speaking voice.

5. Resolve to get out of your comfort zone.

6. Resolve to improve something you already do well.

7. Resolve to study some masters of your genre.

8. Resolve to set goals for your vocal performances.

9. Resolve to have and nourish a small circle of trusted friends.

10. Resolve to take better care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually

11. Resolve to sing fearlessly.

12. Resolve to be a better listener.

Need help?

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

A Great Vocal Exercise For Smoothing Vocal Glitches

Friday, November 25, 2022

Gift Suggestions for Singers, Songwriters, Speakers and Musicians UPDATED 2022

$25 or less...

$26 - $65

$65 - $250

$250 and up...

Or...get creative. Give to a charity in your loved one's name, buy them a star, make a memory spending some time together in a group Zoom or Skype meeting, or volunteering to help safely deliver food or other goods to doorsteps of those in need!

Monday, November 21, 2022

Barbara Kite Interview - Acting Technique for Voices

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Prefer video? Watch on Youtube.

About Barbara Kite:

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Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Mat Kearney Interview - Making Pop Music Matter

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Things we talked about:

More About Mat

Want help with YOUR voice?

Monday, September 19, 2022

Raising and lowering the Larynx - should you? UPDATED 2022

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The controversy

Here's what I recommend, from my experience with my and my clients' voices:

What can you do if your Adam's apple and larynx are too stationary, not free to move?

What can you do if you are raising or lowering your voice box (larynx) too much?

In conclusion: Go with what WORKS:

Want some incredibly effective vocal exercises to get this right? Either book a lesson with me or get one of my vocal training products, all of which include not only exercises, but how to do them.

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