Sometimes singers don’t want to admit to having a vocal coach.
I get it.
They think somehow it takes away from their own “natural” talent. Besides, it’s no one’s business.
But in the entertainment and music industry, nothing is “natural.” Voices are worked on, worked over and worked through in every which way possible to make them stronger, better and shine greater.
Vocal technique is one of the best kept secret weapons in the industry.
Matter of fact, all the stars have a vocal coach at some point, if not on speed dial.
I am a certified singing coach and the head of my singing teaching association is the world famous singing coach Seth Riggs. Here is Seth Riggs teaching Micheal Jackson who had weekly singing lessons with Seth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjETXaGWPOY if you are one of my of Sharon’s students at Entertainment 88 you will see a lot of similar exercises we teach that Michael Jackson is doing.
The big stars know regular vocal coaching will keep their voice in tip top shape and they stay on top because of it.
If you didn’t hear about it, Lady Gaga worked with a vocal coach before her recent Oscar performance — and are you ready for this? She not only worked with a coach, she worked with a coach every day for 6 months! Why you ask? Because she wanted to blow people away with her voice. And it worked. Brilliant.
Whitney Houston, known for her incredible vocal chops, was going back to training just before she passed away. She knew the power of vocal technique to getting her voice back.
All teachers here at Entertainment 88 singing lessons are world class teachers and have you covered.
I was lucky enough to start my singing lesson journey with famous singing teacher for the stars Stevie Van Lange
Stevie’s recent clients include Pharrell Williams , the Kooks, Rita Ora, Ella Henderson and Robbie Williams. I was very fortunate that Stevie took me on a student in the year 2000 when I was in my twenties, Long time ago I know!.
I was having my weekly lessons with Stevie on the same day as people like Robbie Williams when he was at the height of his fame in the late 1990’s. Stevie became a wonderful mentor for me and was the vocal producer for my first album which she also sang on. Stevie is still a friend today. Recently Stevie sang on one of my new singles soon to be released.
I still have regular singing lessons and believe it is important to always strive to be better and continue to love what you do. I may not have had the level of success of many of Stevies artists but I feel I am still very fortunate to do what I love every day and I still have the same passion for singing, performing , songwriting and recording as I did in my teenage years. My energy is not stopping and I will always continue to strive to become a better teacher, singer and songwriter . It’s in my blood
As many of you know Sharon our head coach went to WAPPA the famous musical theatre school in Perth https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/courses-and-admissions/our-courses/music-theatre where she gained a lot of her vocal training. Sharon also had regular singing lessons from a child and into her teens and throughout her whole adult life and who is also a qualified singing teacher. We can never stop learning !!
Below are a few tips to always keep in mind for your singing lessons and singing journey!
- A = Alignment
Alignment makes your voice work or wear out. Poor posture leaves the vocal instrument prone to cracking and burning out. Good alignment frees up your instrument and does things like allows the diaphragm to drop giving the singer plenty of support and sound.
Notice when you hear a good singer how they don’t sound like they are screaming.
Plus you’ll notice they keep their chins level as they sing instead of reaching up (especially on high notes.)
- S = Stretch
Most singers don’t know this, let alone vocal coaches. Singers are athletes of the small muscles of the voice and breathing. Tense muscles impede your vocal performance. Imagine an athlete running a race without stretching their legs? Over time they only end up with shin splints and injuries. Imagine a singer singing a 2 hour concert without stretching their instrument? The result is tighter and tighter voice which ends up in strain and over time more serious vocal problems.
- A = Air
Air and breath are the fuel for your voice. It makes sound by creating movement at the vocal folds so they can vibrate. Most singers don’t breathe enough and often their breathing muscles are tight and constricted. Use your breath to better fuel your voice and to open your rib cage allowing the diaphragm to drop.
- P = Phrasing
Phrasing is the quickest way to make the voice sound better. Phrasing is the rhythm of the vocal line – how it sits in the music. Phrasing in pop music comes from rhythm and blues.
- Practice , practice , practice.
I hope this article points out it doesn’t matter where you are on your singing journey , practice and learning never stops. Also one of the most important things is to also love it. I love practicing , I don’t see warming up like a chore . I see them a part of my daily routine. I feel good after I do them . It’s like my mediation, it uplifts me . I also know it’s helping me everyday to become a better teacher and a better over all singer. It’s also great for my health and my energy. Hope you enjoyed this article and I hope it inspires you to keep on training and learning the craft of singing and performing and most importantly to love what you do. To me that is true success!!