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The crescendo is when a singer or pianist gradually increases the volume (getting louder) and decrescendo, also known as diminuendo (diminishing), is the exact opposite, you gradually get softer. Crescendo is an Italian word which translates to “grow louder.” Crescendo and decrescendo are also part of the dynamics in a song. Music rarely stays at a consistent measure of sound (volume) throughout a song. An orchestra may start the first movement in forte (which is loud) and decrease in volume…
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The arrangement of a song can be simplistic or complicated. But there are some facts that make a song appealing. The predictable repetition of verses and chorus are loved by all. Not all great songs follow this recipe, but many do! Many artists like the Beatles found that ascending and descending chords are very appealing to the masses. Songs like Lady Madonna, Hello Goodbye, and I Am The Walrus have predictable ascending and descending chords that appeal to the brain…
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The Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) is another singing method created by Catherine Sadolin in 1992. Ms. Sadolin is a voice researcher from Copenhagen, she is also a singer. She began her own research with the anatomy and physiology of the singing voice. She also learned how to create the vocal sound of her favorite singers. As a child, Catherine suffered from asthma and was advised to take singing lessons to help manage her breathing. She was confused by the conflicting…
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Speech Level Singing or SLS was created to help singers move through vocal registers without a break or disconnect in their singing. The lip trills (Bubble) and the tongue trills (R Roll) are designed to help a singer through the breaks. This method allows the voice to keep a consistent sound throughout the vocal range. It is a “speech level” sound. Speech Level Singing or SLS is the patented technique pioneered by Seth Riggs. Seth is a classically educated vocal…
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Estill Voice Training is a vocal method designed by Josephine Estill in 1988. Josephine was a singer, voice specialist and conducted years of voice research. She also enjoyed a career as a singer on the radio and as a soloist. In 1972, Jo was hired as a voice teacher at the Upstate Medical Center, which had an Otolaryngology Department which studies the ears, nose and throat (ENT). Jo became fascinated with the science of the voice and began her own…
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It’s all about choosing a method of singing that works for you. Every singing is unique with different strengths and weaknesses. A great Vocal Coach will be able to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses. The instructor will be able to find the breaks in your vocal register and put together a plan to create a unique singing voice for the client. There are different methods that are taught. I’ve studied them all and find wonderful techniques in each method. In…
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The most effective and result driven exercise a singer can do daily is the Lip Trill exercise. What is the Lip Trill exercise? What does the Lip Trill exercise do? This exercise is one of the most important exercises a singer can learn to really make an impact on the voice. The Lip Trill exercise is a fun and extremely effective vocal exercise. It is also called the Motor Boat, Prrr, Bubble, Lip Bubbles or Blowing Raspberries. You are basically…
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Have you ever heard someone say to a singer “I like how you sound” which is his or her tone. Have you ever noticed how pianos sound differently, Steinway verses Baldwin; instruments sound different depending on type and brand. What they are referring to is the specific tone of your voice or the way the instrument sounds. The specific qualities and colors (warm, dark, bright, harsh) of the sound differ from singer to singer, or one instrument to another instrument.…
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Have you ever experienced trouble as you are getting ready to sing that high note? All of a sudden it feels like you will not be able to hit it and your voice cracks or you are flat (under the note). It is embarrassing and frustrating. It is very common for singers to have vocal breaks, especially on the high notes. Here are some ways to practice hitting those notes without straining. JOKE FOR THE DAY: “If you wanted to…
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Singing clearly is an art in itself! It’s one of the first things a singer should pay attention to beside pitch. A singer needs to enunciate clearly; make sure you are not mumbling or singing with your mouth barely open. Warm ups will help you get those articulators working. Your articulators are the soft palate, tongue, teeth and lips. Some singers like to practice sentences like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” and continuously repeat the sentence quickly…
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