Archive for the ‘Auditioning tips’ Category

Learn from American Idol.- Hone your pre-singing impression.

Monday, January 24th, 2011

There are a few vital seconds at an audition that have nothing to do with your singing voice.  That is your entrance and introduction.  Often times there is room for a small bit of banter before you start to sing – make it count, really show up for it and shine.

American Idol is a great resource for watching the audition process. You will find that often you will like the person before they start singing and be rooting for them to be good if they have a good personality. – Remember the judges are feeling the same way.  If they like you, they will want you to be good.  Therefore, they may be a bit more forgiving and open to your audition.

There are very fine lines between impressions that a singer can give.  Confidence verses cocky.  Humble verses shameful. Fun verses loony.

You want to set a good positive lasting impression of yourself, but you can’t force or push it onto the judges.  They need to find and discover how great you are from your entrance and introduction.  So watch some auditions and learn the difference between things like; what is annoying and what is funny, or what is remarkable and what is forgettable.

Watch some singers and then see who sticks out in your mind both good and bad.  Learn from it.  It is such a fabulous resource.

You want to walk in and give the judges an honest look at the best you.

This is all before you open your mouth to sing…

Ahh the psychology behind singing!!!

Ariella Vaccarino (The voice teacher who spent many uncomfortable years auditioning too!)

Written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of  Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of  Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for my Vocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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DON’T judge yourself while you are singing.

Monday, September 27th, 2010

During a performance is not the time to be doing a playback in your head of every step you are taking both good and bad.  While performing it is your job as a singer to be in the moment, not judging the moment.

You can always record yourself and sit down and do a good judge later, and I highly do recommend that. (Sit and watch or listen, use your teachers ears, or use my ears for feedback-AFTER the performance.)

You can actually see singers judge themselves on stage.  They are listening rather than emoting and being.  Don’t be caught doing that because it is obvious to the audience and will pull them out of your performance.

Singing is such a leap to experience anyway  for the audience, watching someone standing and singing words for 3 minutes is odd if you think about it.  And that is the key, you don’t want to let the audience have a moment to think about it.  They need to experience the moment just as you are experiencing it.

If you are real and in it, they will be.

So you can’t stop and judge because then we loose the 100% commitment.  We we need nothing less than full commitment of you the singet in the audience to remove ourselves from the strangeness of the singing phenomenon so we can enjoy it for what it is.

Use your time warming up and practicing at your piano or in your room to analyze your every note.  Let your teacher give you critique during lessons.  Use my Vocal Assessment service if you would like to get feedback on what you should be working on from me.

But after that.  When the performance time comes whether it be an audtition or for an audience let go of ALL judgement and just sing the thing. You will be SO MUCH BETTER AND PROFESSIONAL FOR IT!

Ariella Vaccarino

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of  Voice Lessons To Go(singing lessons on CD) and author of  Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for myVocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

Check out my instructional videos on my YOUTUBE Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/voicelessonstogo

Listen to my Weekly Podcasts on Itunes:

My Itunes Podcast

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The YUCK of this singing business.

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

I probably talk about it a lot.  But it is a huge issue with our business.  The singing business.  You just want to get on the stage and sing your heart out, I know.  I was the same, I just wanted the job so I could work hard and sing my best for people- no politics.  Unfortunately, the steps to get there can be quite ugly.  It is very hard to avoid the yuck, as hard as you may try.

I am inspired to write this after a lesson I had last week a student of mine who is fabulous.  She is 11 years old and is truly an insanely good little singer.  Not only can she sing, she is professional and way beyond the normal maturity of an 11 year old girl- a thrill to teach.  (every voice teacher should be blessed with one of these in their studio).

She is a working singer.  Meaning she is regularly getting gigs and being paid to perform which I think is amazing at her age.  Unfortunately, she is all ready at this young age being put into a lot of yucky situations.  And I feel for her.  Because, I too experienced very similar yuck in my own singing career all to often.

I don’t want to get into the details of her situation, but essentially she was banned from an audition which she definitely was made to be cast in  because of some disgruntled person who took something she did negatively a few years ago and spread their dislike and and contempt for her in a poisonous way to to her people in the industry.  As a result she was turned down for an audition by a director who NEVER EVEN MET HER.  That’s right, turned down to be heard for an audition (she is 11), not turned down for the part after being heard at the audition.

This to me is unbelievably disgusting.  To black list an 11 year old girl from hearsay is so sad.   Her resume is huge, she has since then been requested to fly out for a BROADWAY audition because she is so good and professional, but yet, this director who never met her, won’t see her because of hearsay.

But you know what?  It does not surprise me.  This singing professional is filled with stories like this.  There is an ugliness, (or for this blog) YUCK , that will not go away, no matter how hard you try to be nice, do your job, and show up with a smile.  There is always someone who you will cross who will not like you and will spread poisonous words about you.

It is a small business in the sense that so many people know each other.  As a result a simple ugly incident with one person can spread like a flame onto your reputation for many to hear and judge you about for years to follow, without you ever being able to explain your side of the story.

Ahhhh, you may be thinking, Ariella is so dismal today, where is the hope if this is so true?

The hope my readers/singers, is inside you.  Know who you are.  Know why you sing.  Sing for yourself. Find joy in what you are doing outside of what others think.  There are absolutely breaks to be had and wonderful experiences to enjoy in this singing business.  But the dark side is there Jedis (really geeky I know), you need to face it and know what it is so that you are not caught off guard when it hits.  Be prepared.

This student of mine is amazing, she is able to just push a ahead.  She is in New York right now to audition for a Broadway show.  Who knows if she will get it but what an opportunity for an 11 year old.  And on the bright side and something to hold on to, is that her Broadway audition was given to her for the same reason that the other audition wasn’t, it was hearsay from another director who loved her and recommended her. So just goes to show you.  How crazy this business can be.

I wish I could put a glass bubble around all you singers to protect you from the ugliness in this business and allow you to just sing. Unfortunately, I can’t, but you can.  Here’s an older blog I wrote on that subject for further insight:

http://voicelessonstogo.com/blog/singers-build-a-magic-bubble-seal-it-tight-make-sure-your-inside-singing-can-hurt-the-ego

Be strong singers.  Know who you are.  Try and stay neutral, you never know which one you meet may turn out NOT to be your friend.

Ariella Vaccarino

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of  Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of  Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for myVocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

Check out my instructional videos on my YOUTUBE Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/voicelessonstogo

Listen to my Weekly Podcasts on Itunes:

My Itunes Podcast

Friend me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/voicelessonstogo

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10 tips to your best singing audition. My third Podcast.

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Auditioning is the MOST UNNATURAL thing that we can go through.  Unfortunately, it is what is needed to unlock our world of performing for us as singers.  I’ve put together 10 tips to your best singing audition for my third podcast.  This was inspired by an older blog I wrote a few years ago.  Please check it out.

My Podcast site for those of you who do not have access to itunes:  Voice lessons To Go’s Podcast Page

For itunes:  Please subscribe and rate fabulously :) Voice Lessons To Go’s  Itunes Podcast page

Hope these tips are helpful!

Ariella Vaccarino

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of  Voice Lessons To Go(singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for myVocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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How to prepare for an early morning sing- 15 steps.

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

So yesterday morning I had a sound check and orchestra run through for a concert I did last night.  Call time was at 10:15 am.  As you can imagine that is not ideal for the singing voice!  It reminded me of a time in my life when I used to sing at schools through L.A. Opera.  It was an educational program that brought opera to schools all over.  We had 8 a.m. assemblies to perform in sometimes!  Being that I am a coloratura soprano (the one who hits the highest notes), that was a tough morning prep.

I came up with a routine from that that really helped me get through it which I would love to share with you.  Try and hit as many of the steps as you can.  This routine is ideal, but I do realize that we can not always reach our ideals.  So do your best with it.

So how do you prepare yourself for an early morning singing performance, audition, or rehearsal?

Here are 15 steps to try follow when preparing for an early sing:

1.  Wake up early.  Not only do you need time to get ready, practice, and prepare, your body needs time to wake up and get itself going so that it can be there for you to do these things well.  Give yourself an extra hour or so.  (I know it might be painfully early, but especially if you are going to be singing high notes, you need to get yourself out of bed.)  It is important to somehow convince your body that it is not to early to get everything moving required to sing.

2.  Take a hot shower.  It will help wake up your brain as well as your body.  The warmth of the water on your muscles will help to start getting the blood going.  You will need these muscles to support your voice so that you can sing well.  So you need to wake them up!

3. Do yawn sighs really gently in the shower, humm a bit sing very gentle warm ups. Nothing serious.  Just make easy singing sounds.  Continue doing this during your morning routine, keep them light.

4. Slow stretching.  Again, you want to wake up the muscles of the body.

5. Breathing exercises, I have great ones on my first v.1 of Voice Lessons To Go- Vocalize and Breath.   This will open up your ribs, get your abdominal muscles working and make space for your resonance.

6. Physical exercise.  If you can get on a bike, take a walk, do a yoga tape, or even dance to some favorite tunes, even 10-15 minutes will make a great difference.  This will invigorate your muscles and activate them to “alert” mode  so that you will be prepped when you are singing.

7. Eat.  Singing takes energy.  Feed your body.

8. Drink something warm.  I like to drink a tea called “Throat Coat” before I sing.  An herbal tea is a great warmer and soother for the chords.  I keep one going all morning.

9. Get dressed. Give your body a few minutes to digest before your practicing begins.

10. Warm up your voice.  Take it nice and slow.  At this point your voice should be a bit warm from your humms, and yawn sighs.  Start easy on your vocal warm up.  Voice Lessons To Go is perfect for this.  You may not have complete resonance when you are singing at first if your body is not totally awake so take it easy.  Don’t push, let your voice come in naturally as your warm ups progress.  Do a nice slow long warm up if you can so that your voice really wakes up in a healthy non intrusive way.

11. Walk away and finish getting ready.  (That’s right, I didn’t say practice your music yet).  Give your voice a little time to settle down from the warm up while you are arranging your stuff, putting make up on, getting directions…whatever.

12. When everything is done and prepared sit down and practice your stuff. Make sure that you really sing through everything well so you don’t feel that you have loose ends on your way over to where you have to sing.  I always like to make sure that on my high notes I am warmed up higher than required of me that day so that if my voice settles by the time I have to sing, I have extended my range stretch in the practice past the point necessary.  This helps me to feel more confident when I walk in to sing.

Do not over sing or strain.  This is not the time to practice new exercises, and repertoire, range broadening, or stamina building.  You need to save to good stuff for your actual performance.

13. After you practice.  Be quiet.  Go get yourself to where you are going.  Spend your time thinking about the words, staging, and rhythm on your drive or walk over.  Your body by now should be really warmed up.  Keep a warm drink with you for the event. I also like Glycine drops to help keep the voice moist.

14.  Once you arrive and before you actually begin singing, do a few breathing exercises, stretches, and something physical such as jogging in place for a minute or two to prep the body for your sing.

15. Don’t forget to bring in an excellent attitude even though it is early morning.  Say your good mornings with a smile, everyone is suffering with the call time, be the one to help people through it rather than the one complaining about it.  Everybody will appreciate your good energy.

Happy singing!

Ariella Vaccarino

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go(singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for myVocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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How to memorize your music

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

I am  prepping for an upcoming concert and I just got through my memorization process.    That is what it is for me, a process.  Something I have to actually set my mind to do and make time for .  Being a classical Opera singer myself, (as well as a voice teacher and Creator of Voice Lessons To Go),  I am often faced with memorizing large amounts of music in Foreign Languages.  Thank God this is something that has  never given me problems.  As long as I make the time to do it, I can always get it done.

Just like practicing your voice and learning the notes of a song, memorizing words need their time slot on your schedule when preparing to sing in front of people.

Regarding memorizing, the sooner you do it, the faster you can get into creating the music on your own rather then relying on sheet music to get you through.  Once you are memorized you can practice singing into a mirror or out into an “imaginary audience”.  This really helps you open up and feel your role in the song and gives you time to make it yours.

Whenever possible you want to sing memorized in front of people.  People connect to you through your eyes.  They should be up and out when you are singing, not buried in a music folder.

Having your music with you on stage holds you one step back from delivering a professional performance.

So how do you memorize music most effectively?  I think it really depends on what kind of learner you are; audio or visual.  Think of how you do or used to study for tests in school.  Did you just look at your notes, have to talk through them aloud, have to practice writing them back onto paper to absorb them?

For me it has always been a bit of a combination.  For example last night I went through my piece of music and wrote all the lyrics out onto lined paper.  I translated it as well (was not in English).  Then I looked at what I have written to find patterns in the words and get an overview of the full structure of the lyrics.

When singing through music it is not the same as looking at a sheet of all the lyrics written out.  For me I need to think about it as a monologue, finding the beats.  I then went through my music again in my head trying to come up with the lyrics again spot checking where I needed help.  Usually, you already are part memorized from learning your song when you start the memorization process so you need to identify where these parts are so you can focus on the parts that need work.

The other thing I think is great to do is to tackle a tough spot towards the end of the music so that once you have that you know you have something to look forward to when starting the top of the song again.

So I did that a few times, circling and underlining parts that needed help on my lyrics sheet.  Then I wrote it out again. Each time “feeling” the words come to life on the paper.  For me the process of writing it out and seeing it show up in front of me is very powerful.

I did this till I was able to get through the song in my head and on paper smoothly. (about 45 minutes)

The next step I do always is to put the music down, let it go, and sleep on it.  I really think the sleep helps to solidify the lyric to my brain.  This morning I went through all my lyrics in my head, and sang them out loud softly a few times.  Not only do I need to get them on paper and in my head, but I need to practice saying them with my mouth, so I don’t stumble.- You need to memorize the mouth movements especially if it is a fast wordy song.

Today I will sing through the piece and practice performing it without looking at the music, spot checking as I need it.  Then I will really practicing performing it not thinking about about the lyrics to get them onto auto pilot.  I do this because I know that when I am on that stage I will not necessarily remember to think about the lyrics with the audience, orchestra and lights surrounding me.

Over the next few days I will go through the lyrics in my mind, speak them through, do them while doing other things such as cooking, exercising, and driving.  I will also listen to a recording of the music repeatedly to train my aural skill of listening and learning.

Doing these things will make me memorized and prepared.  Not doing them will have me nervous and undependable as a performer on a big stage.  Always choose preparing instead of worrying!

Now go write out those words :) !

Ariella Vaccarino

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for my Vocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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What to do about your competition singers.

Friday, July 30th, 2010

As I say for my business (Voice Lessons To GO) as well as for my singing, there is no use thinking about your competition. What is the point?  You really never know what it is that is going to make a judge, casting agent, or directer pick you out of an audition “line up” for the part. So don’t sweat it.

The gorgeous woman who just sang before you like a Siren may have reminded the judge of an ex-girlfriend he didn’t like.

– or-

You might be amazing but the moment they see you they know you won’t be a match for the short tenor they have to play your husband.

Because I am not only a singer/voice teacher but I am also a business woman, I may have a bit of a different perspective on all of this.  I can use my CDs as an example.  So many people have asked me – “Aren’t you worried about your competition?,  or  ”Aren’t there other voice lesson CDs out there?”  My answer has always been: “So what, there are millions of people out there, I’ll just keep doing my best at what I am doing.  There is room enough for everybody.  Everyone can have their niche.”

I don’t spend my time looking at or considering the competition.  I need to be strong enough to stand on my own as a business woman no matter how many others are around me.  I’m not sure which helped me more the entrepreneurial woman to my musician or the musician to my entrepreneurial self.  But the combo together has helped me to see the world a bit differently.  I also think I view opportunities a bit out of the box.

If I didn’t think like that, there probably would be no Voice Lessons To Go.  You might be thinking, I thought this blog was about the competition, why is she talking about herself? That is my whole point.  The competition doesn’t matter.  You are what matters. Put the energy into evolving yourself instead of thinking about the others.

Think on a grander scale as a singer beyond your single auditions.  You need to know who you are, be confident, work on being and bringing out your best, and then marketing yourself.

The competition will there no matter what- trust me.  People will like you over them and them over you no matter what. That is the business.  There are no guarantees.  But it sure will help you get that part a lot more often if you are fully realized as a singer.

Click here to view a past blog post that will give you 10 ideas to work on when becoming a complete singer: http://voicelessonstogo.com/blog/so-my-voice-isnt-fabulous-can-i-have-success-as-a-singer (don’t worry about the title, the information is what you need).

What you do need to concentrate on is how YOU can be the best singer you can be.  Work on all the areas that make you a great artist and performer. Develop the whole you and the whole package.  Then walk into your auditions with pride knowing that you are a complete performer.  If they sign you or cast you- awesome.  That is ideal but no matter the competition unless you are amazing yourself, none of it matters anyway.  Don’t sweat the competition, sweat what you can do do be your best instead.

Happy evolving!  Sing well!

Ariella Vaccarino

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go(singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

***Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for myVocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.***

Thank you for subscribing to my blogs!  I am working hard to bring you great content and free singing advice.  Please take a moment to spread the words via the social book marking links below to help me build my readership.  Thank you!

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Gospel Singing- learn from them.

Friday, June 11th, 2010

As a voice teacher for over 18 years and an Opera singer myself which is no easy cake walk to do well, I have always been in awe of the good Gospel singer.

I think most people would agree that there are not many more things more invigorating then hearing and watching a gospel choir sing out with an amazing soloist riding over them.  It is moving and inspirational to most, no matter your religion.

And why is Gospel Singing so moving and what can we learn form it?

Gospel singing is sung from the soul.  Take that in.  The deep soul, spirit.  I talk so much about honest singing and connecting to your audience.  Gospel is one of the best examples of that.

Take the essence of gospel intention and put it into your own music:

Believe it

Feel it

Experience it

Share it

Give in to it

Whether you are dying on stage in your last act of Traviata as an Opera singer,

Crooning to a loved one in a torch song,

Or screaming (hopefully fully supported of course) in rage for your heavy metal concert.

Take the essence of Good Gospel singing and use it in you to move your audience.

Get lost in your own music, get swept up, taken away, and over come.

Then you can always pull back as to what is appropriate keeping the core of soul and honesty in your sound but remaining appropriate to your style.

Sing well!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for my Vocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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Should you go for that high note?

Friday, May 14th, 2010

It is something all of us singers consider when putting together the performance of a song.  Should we be adding in some high notes to show “what we can do” and impress the audience?  I say if you have them all the time, then go for it.  But if you are not consistent with your high notes, why should you put the stress on yourself and the audience of getting them done right?  They will put your whole performance in jeopardy and it is not worth it.

Shania Twain said it recently on American Idol- “go with the note that is comfortable”.

I say,  if you can only get something right 50% of the time, don’t risk it in your performance.  The last thing you want to be worrying about in a stressful performance situation is whether or not you can reach your high note.  And as an audience member it is one of the worst, most uncomfortable things you can put us through. No one wants to hear strain. —-     So if you can’t do it don’t risk it.

Where you should be going for the high notes is in rehearsal and in your vocal warm ups.  That I completely encourage.  They are something that you need to practice in a healthy safe environment for your vocal chords.  Once you really get them “in your body”, then you can start bringing them to the actual stage.  And remember, often times when we sing out our nerves can get in the way of how well we perform.  So your body really needs to have memorized the exact execution and success of those high notes before you take them out for a walk or you may find that your body will clam up due to nerves and cause you a “bad reach”.

Singing should never feel like a reach rather a rooted or anchored stretch.

When approaching a high note in your vocal practice, imagine that you have set an anchor down through the middle of your body straight into the earth that is heavy.  This anchor is your muscle support, don’t let it go. Now open your mouth to sing and stretch your mind to make space around the height of your high note. You should be grounded in your sound but stretched through the back of your head, top of your head, through your upper palate, and straight through your eyes to let the space free to release your sound.

Also, practicing hitting your desired notes from different directions so that you are used to getting them out no matter what is a great strategy.  Sing the note just below and then that note.  Sing the note just above and then that note.  Practice coming from the octave below, fifth below etc…  In your vocalizing focus on getting up to that note well and then pass it getting up well to higher notes so that you know the note you want will be a sure thing every time, even in a performance.

Please check out a recent post I wrote on achieving success with your high notes.

We all love the wow factor of an incredible high note.  But that is only for an Incredible one.  No one wants to hear you screeching.  Many times the safer choice of not adding in the high note is better.  You want people to remember having an enjoyable experience watching you.  Don’t fixate on the importance of particular notes. Overall you must have a good show with out any negative drama.  Keep practicing!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for my Vocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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The benefits of a good massage on your voice- seriously

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

“But I HAVE TO GET that massage for my concert…”

No seriously, if you can get a massage before you sing, you should.  As a result you will both feel and SOUND better.  Getting a back and neck massage is an incredible way to open up your sound and free your voice.  Even a quick five minute neck and shoulder massage will help you tremendously in your ability to sing freely with full resonance.

Remember as a singer you rely on your body to create sound.  Unlike an instrumentalist who has the stability of the same instrument to play, you and your body are never the same.  Every day you wake up you can feel different, tired, energized, stressed, tense, sick…

This effects your muscle tension.  Your proper muscle support and release are key in good free singing. Tense shoulders hold in sound that could otherwise be resonating freely.  Also, a massage relaxes you deep into your body so that your breathing and sound remain grounded rather than lifted.

I first realized this years ago when I took a voice lesson from a teacher at Julliard.  He actually had a pianist playing the vocalizes while he himself was “attacking” my muscles.  Was very odd for me at first, but he got incredible singing results out of me by pushing deep into muscles around my neck, shoulders and sternum while I sang.   He was able to release the “bottled up” sound with in me and my voice as a result grew in sheer volume without any pushing.  It was a real singing break through for me.

I then spent many years doing body work such as massage, Alexander Technique, acupuncture and Ki Work.  All of these were excellent and had similar effects in releasing a freer sound when I sang.

Unfortunately, they are all big financial expenses and are not available to us before every sing we have.  You can though learn from this and have someone you know give you a quick back/shoulder/neck rub to get the blood flowing and sound releasing before your auditions and or performance.  Offer a singer friend a swap or you can even do it to yourself before you warm up your voice or go on to sing.

If you hit the big time of course, get yourself your own personal masseuse on your books to be there before each performance.  Until then find other ways to get your massage on!

Sing well relaxed and free people!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

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