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VOICE LESSON TIPS
By Vocal Coach Ava Landman

And information about how Learn to Sing Like a Star can help you learn to sing!

Breathing for singing is very important for a successful vocal delivery.
Primarily it is necessary that you are breathing properly for singing. This involves using the muscles of your diaphragm (the partition of muscles and tendons between the chest and abdominal cavity).

Let us use the song "My Heart Will Go On," (Titanic) performed by Celine Dion, as an example. When preparing to take a breath for singing, you should plan how much air you think you will need to carry you to the end of the line. (If you can, try this experiment in front of a mirror.) Inhale as you feel your rib cage expand, immediately begin thinking about how much air you "feel" you need. You may want to breathe a bit deeper at first, especially if you are a bit nervous or are a beginner. When you are ready to sing, expel as much air as needed. Be aware not to push out too much air at one time or your tone will become breathy.

"Every night in my dreams, (breathe)
I see you I feel you (breathe)
That is how I know you go on. (breathe)

Far across the distance (breathe)
And spaces between us (breathe)
You have come to show you go on. (breathe)

Near, far, wherever you are, (breathe)
I believe that the heart does go on. (breathe)
Once more you open the door, (breathe)
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on."

If you are still having difficulty with breath control try this trick. Cup one hand around your ear (as you would hold a telephone), begin to take a breath for singing and proceed to sing the song. As you begin to expel the air, listen carefully to your tone. Your attention should be on an even distribution of air throughout the phrase; with just enough air to make a smooth ending.

For more breathing exercise check out track #2 on the voice lesson CD:
"Learn To Sing Like A Star" program.

How can I learn to sing like an American Idol?
If you have recently watched the show American Idol on television, you have noticed a variety of singers waiting in line to audition for the "opportunity of a lifetime." For various reasons, the show has aired some "singers" that sang off key. These "singers" were ridiculed by the judges of American Idol in front of millions of people on television. Do not let this discourage you!

If you want to sing correctly, you should start by training your voice. A variety of vocal exercises can help you develop your breath control and strengthen your vocal range (my CD can help). You should also practice singing acappella (without musical accompaniment). While you do this, try to record yourself as this will help develop your "ear" for music. Also, try to perform in front of an audience as much as often as possible (even if your audience is only mom and dad). This will help you get over your stage fright.

Be strong, keep a positive attitude, and you too can "Learn To Sing Like A Star!"

"If I should stay, I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know I'll think of you every step of the way."

As the song continues, Whitney gradually glides her smooth vocals into the chorus as she crescendos (adds volume) in a pop/bluesy tone.

"And I will always love you."

Voice Lesson Exercise: If you want to experiment with this technique try standing in front of a mirror and either speak the words to this song (if you don't know the melody) or sing them. Before you actually begin to sing the phrase, imagine that you are trying to convey your feelings to someone a few feet in front of you. Keep your posture straight, and your head up.

Let us begin with the verse. Take a long breath from your diaphragm. (Diaphragmatic breathing is explained more in tracks 1 & 2 of "Learn To Sing Like A Star"-CD.) With this breath you will sing the words "If I should stay." Now take another breath as you get ready to sing the words: "I would only be in your way". Breathe again: "So I'll go, but I know I'll think of you every step of the way." When entering the chorus add a bit more volume and open your hands slightly from your sides. Gradually raise your hands (into the shape of an angel) as you breathe and continue into the chorus.
"And I will always love you."

When performing this phrase be aware of your facial expressions. Are you just moving your lips, or are you gradually moving your mouth to accommodate the vowels in the song? This is important to be aware of. You also want to focus on the raising (slightly) of the eye/eyebrow area. This technique enhances the use of facial expressions while adding more depth and expression to your tone. Your face and body are very vital to your song delivery. You could either just stand there or make the song come alive! It is up to you; notice the difference.

Yes! It is possible to sing in various vocal styles (Pop, Classical, Country, Broadway). It is all in the vocal placement.
It is important to realize that even though you have one voice there are different places physically where the voice can resonate, thus creating different sounds that lead to various vocal placements. The various vocal placements are: chest voice, mask, head voice, and falsetto. The diaphragmatic breathing preparation is the same for all of the vocal placements; however the concentration of air resonance is different during exhalation. For example: When you let air resonate into your chest, you are using the chest voice. This vocal placement seems closest to our natural speaking voice. Chest voice singing is popular in Rock, Country, Pop and Broadway music that requires "belting" (powerful singing).

When you focus your singing tone closest to your nasal passages, you are using your middle voice or mask. This placement seems to alleviate pressure when the use of the chest voice becomes too high or strenuous. The mask placement is also common in popular music (Pop) and Rhythm and Blues.

When you concentrate your air vibrations closest to the head, you are using your head voice. Classical music or music that ventures into the higher range seems more apt in this category. When first trying to attempt the head voice, you might notice that this placement seems to be somewhat weaker than the chest or mask tones. With constant practice of the head voice, however, it will definitely strengthen. ("Learn To Sing Like A Star" CD includes many exercises to help you with range expansion.)

Finally, in the male voice, the falsetto seems to go beyond the head voice creating a thin whispery sound. Tenors occasionally sing in their falsetto voice. It is mostly for an effect.

Check out track #4 on "Learn To Sing Like A Star" for more information on the topic of style.

How to identify your comfortable singing range? (Men and Women)
In women, there are three comfortable ranges: the Alto, Mezzo-Soprano, and the Soprano. In a woman who feels comfortable in the lower register, the Alto, the approximate vocal range can begin at the note C below middle C and end approximately at the note G below the note high C. The Mezzo Soprano, in between the Alto and Soprano range may feel comfortable from the note G below the note middle C to approximately the note B before high C. The Soprano, the highest vocal range may feel comfortable from the note G below the note middle C to beyond the note high C.

In men, there are three comfortable ranges: the Bass, Baritone, and Tenor.
In a man who feels comfortable in the lower register, the Bass, the approximate vocal range can begin at the note F an octave below the note middle C to the note F above middle C. The Baritone, in between the Bass and Tenor range may feel comfortable from the note A an octave below the note middle C to the note B above middle C. The Tenor, the highest male vocal range may feel comfortable from the note C below the note middle C to C above middle C.

Piano/vocal demonstration of this topic can be found on track #3 of "Learn To Sing Like A Star".

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