Take a breath and don't use it

• Explanation of the training:

I have developed certain little catch phrases to crystallize complicated vocal technique concepts into easy to remember corrections and habits. I use this phrase to trigger the most efficient use of breath. You do want enough of a breath to expand both your ribcage and your throat channel, increasing breath control and opening the throat path to resonation zones. But at the same time, it really doesn't take much breath to vibrate the vocal cords confidently and strain-free!

• How to get it wrong:

Holding your breath is the wrong way to interpret this phrase. You actually need to support your voice with breath, in fact, your voice should always be riding on a thin and steady cushion of air. Holding the breath back too much can create tension in the throat, jaw and vocal apparatus, creating vocal weakness and inconsistency.

• How to get it right:

Realize that 'don't use it' is just a hyperbolic figure of speech! I keep saying it because, especially for those who push too much breath, it works!

Alternative phrases I use that get breath pressure balanced: 'Back off pressure, add passion' Don't leak! And... Don't leave a breath mark on a glass window pane in front of your mouth.

Use your face

• Explanation of the training:

The richest and most communicative voice requires active facial language. A zombie, frozen or poker face will sound mechanical, bored or disengaged - not the sound that gets the typical response you want for your message!

• How to get it wrong:

If you've been singing or speaking with a blank face, just learning to move your face may seem weird and even tiring at first. But like most things, you have to find the balance. Using active facial language correctly shouldn't create facial fatigue or tension... in fact, it should help release tension! Don't over-stretch your tongue or jaw. Definitely avoid holding a squint in your upper cheek area, which can cause your soft palate to freeze.

• How to get it right:

Here's where the synergy of Power, Path and Performance can help. When performing as singer or speaker, really focus your mind on the heart you're communicating to. Now imagine that person is at least partially or selectively deaf. Use active facial language that would enable the person to 'read your lips' and know both what you're saying and what it means.

Press fingertips together

• Explanation of the training:

Simply put fingertips together about mid-chest level and lightly press them into each other to straighten the upper spine, opening the ribcage and the throat. This is something I teach all my students to do in exercises, as well as in the studio (where I call it studio hands). The wider diaphragm instantly increases breath control, and the open throat increases access to resonance and therefore, this technique increases vocal ability. It also instantly decreases vocal strain.

• How to get it wrong:

When people try this for the first time, a common mistake is to press fingertips together too hard, creating shoulder and neck tension and paradoxically tightening the ribcage. You can also press too lightly, which does nothing.

• How to get it right:

Articulate clearly

• Explanation of the training:

No matter what genre of music you do, you need to be understood to get a response to your message, right? Even slurred genres require articulation so that the audience for that genre can understand the lyrics. And of course, if you're a speaker, mumbling will not communicate. Synonyms for articulation include pronunciation and enunciation. In verb form we say articulate, pronounce, or enunciate clearly.

• How to get it wrong:

Over-articulate for the genre you're singing in and you'll be heard as inauthentic (fake), overacting (fake) and/or yelling (LIKE TYPING IN ALL CAPS!).

• How to get it right:

Again with the 'B' word: Articulating appropriately requires balance. It also requires nuance... a fine-tuning of the way your audience likes to hear lyrics or words. If you're unsure, get help from a coach familiar with your song's genre or language. Polish singer Jona Ardyn's producer Laura Lorraine Culbertson hired me as vocal producer for Jona's English project to among other things, help her sound more authentic, like changing De-CALF to DE-calf :)

Straighten your spine

• Explanation of the training:

This is an easy one... straighten both upper and lower curves of your spine.

• How to get it wrong:

Don't go overboard and assume stiff military posture. Freeze your spine and your voice will complain! Another mistake is to think well, you've got a bit of scoliosis so you can't ever do this.

• How to get it right:

Stand or sit flexibly tall. If this is tiring for you, do some core physical exercise and strengthen your back muscles with exercises like free weight rowing. Not only will your voice thank you, your whole body will benefit from deeper breathing and core strength. And if you do have scoliosis... I've trained plenty of voices with that spinal condition and it really doesn't take much to make a big vocal difference. Just stretch a little taller and balance your weight on both heels instead of just one.

You can sing as long as you want without strain

• Explanation of the training:

It is my firm belief that if you consistently use great vocal technique, even though long performances can tire your physical body they don't have to tire your voice!

• How to get it wrong:

If you try to go from 0 to 100 and play 'survivor of the vocal chord', you will be misunderstanding my suggestion.

• How to get it right:

Just like any athlete, if you haven't been singing much, or there have been long stretches between your performances, you have to re-develop your muscular stamina. To avoid vocal strain, it's critically important to sing full voice for a week or two... at least 4 days... with great vocal technique before a long performance.

Apply the inner smile

• Explanation of the training:

Creating flexible lift in the soft palate is important to your voice, which wants access to movement in that area.

• How to get it wrong:

Squinting is how most people over-do this suggestion. Tension in the upper cheekbones will ironically cause tension in the soft palate, and lead to all kinds of vocal mischief.

• How to get it right:

Think Mona Lisa smile, or 'I know what you did last summer'. You know..

Warnings for other vocal training (aka things I don't say)

• Keep larynx at speech level

Caution:
There are methods out there which try to counter the over-dropped larynx of classical singing. My warning is not to try to freeze the position of the larynx. Even for popular genres of music and definitely for speaking, the larynx needs freedom of movement at the direction of the automatic nervous system. I like what vocal coach Lisa Popeil suggests: the larynx should be allowed to raise, lower and tilt in the neck. As long as you aren't really aware of it without putting your fingers on your Adam's/Eve's apple! Your voice shouldn't feel strain!

• Just relax and sing

Caution:
There is a definite need for training that relaxes counterproductive tension in the mind/body/voice. However, to sing or speak confidently and get a powerful response, something's got to give! I would rather say 'relax everything that doesn't need to tense'! Power your voice from the pelvic floor, through active facial language. Then your big muscles may make you hungry from the effort, but your voice will practically float out to your thrilled audience!

• Sing from your diaphragm

Caution: 

Don't do it!

Read this blog post and learn how this teaching can collapse the ribcage, sabotage the diaphragm's control of breath and result in one of the most destructive vocal training concepts out there.

Last caution about my training:

OK and finally, my vocal training can hurt you if you don't actually practice it. So to all my students who do their exercises as perfectly as possible, warm-up adequately before performances and practice good vocal health actions in general... YOU don't have to be afraid. I will never hurt you! Promise:)

What about you... ever been hurt by vocal training? Your story can help protect others. Please share it in the comments.