30 Day Singer Blog - archives - page 12

Vocal ranges like baritone, tenor, alto, bass, soprano and mezzo-soprano are usually used to determine different types of voices within singing. There are a lot of vocal ranges out there, which means choosing a type of music or repertoire to sing can be a challenging and frustrating task for singers. Learn how to determine your vocal range and music repertoire by following these steps.

Singing in your whistle register (also known as whistle notes or bell notes) is no easy feat. Beyoncé’s notorious key changes in “Love On Top” eventually climb to a whistle register voice, but anyone who’s tried singing along to this song knows it’s taxing on the voice and for many, proves physically impossible.  

Phrasing is how we divide a song into musical ideas, including where we breathe and where we place emphasis. For an example, sing through “Happy Birthday”. You probably sang 4 phrases: (1) Happy birthday to you, (2) happy birthday to you, (3) happy birthday dear Grandma, (4) happy birthday to you. That’s easy, natural phrasing!

The first vocal exercises I did were The Siren. My instructor told me to let them hear me “three blocks away”. I felt silly and awkward, but I did it. It turned out to be the first time I had ever heard my voice projected at it's loudest, and found new breath control. 

Voice auditions are nerve-wracking. You walk into a room and are asked to stand on the big X duct taped to the floor facing a panel of people you don’t know! You’re feeling scared, nervous, and stressed. You’re probably silently muttering lyrics to yourself…hopefully not audibly, but who knows depending on how stressed you are. You quickly explain your tempos to the provided pianist, briefly introduce yourself and your piece, sing for about 60 seconds, say “thank you,” and walk out...

Scat singing is the act of using the voice to create instrumental sounds, often in a way that is experimental or improvisational. Scat became popularized in the early-to-mid 20th century with jazz singers like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Cab Calloway. Even though it’s a skill that can be difficult to master, scat allows singers a lot of freedom once they get the hang of it, and is a thrill to hear when done well. 

Vocal fry is a singing technique people seem to be split up on. Many dislike the low, creaky sound of it, and more love the element it adds to a song, but as long as you do it right, those picky listeners might not be instantly turned off. It’s actually used a lot more than people think, and is often disguised with projection. The kicker about it though is keeping the volume and quality while practicing safety. What happens when you amplify vocal fry is you scream, but by safely harnessing that ability, you can create a very gutsy tune that will likely add an emotional distress to your song. 

A recital is a fantastic opportunity to invite your community to celebrate your growth and enjoy your beautiful music. You’ve been practicing, challenging yourself, and dealing with low moments and high achievements with grace. Now isn’t it time to show off a little? 

Stage fright is something all of us maybe acquainted with whether because you've given a speech or presentation.

You’re waiting in the wings, about to go on stage. The applause from the audience is dying down, and the announcer is about to call your name. Mic in hand, you take a breath and start walking.

The lip trill is a fun and effective vocal exercise. Sometimes called “lip bubbles”, this exercise is essentially the noise you’d make if you were imitating the sound of a toy car or airplane. The mouth is almost closed, lips buzzing or flapping together as you phonate (make noise) and release air. If you’ve never done or heard a lip trill before, check out the beginner’s warm-up tutorial on the site!