Voice Lessons – Sing a Healthy Belt
The longevity of a singer’s career depends on having the skill to consistently deliver quality sound without compromised vocal integrity – i.e. sing your guts out without hurting yourself. A powerful belt, capably executed with good technique is an indispensable expressive tool. Yet ever since the ‘belt’ became a necessary skill for singers, the debate has raged on – how does one produce a healthy belt?
First we need to define what is a belt. Easier said than done. The debate rages on in professional vocal circles. Here’s my definition, which has been formed through research, experience and sitting through many professional voice organization seminars.
To belt means: clearly spoken lyrics and unaffected vocal production – a natural, powerful, communicative sound. In other words, speech on musical pitch, which admittedly may sound like an oxymoron, but voice science supports this concept. Done poorly, the belt boarders on a harsh shout or yell and often causes vocal damage. Don’t do that!
As an alternative to traditional vocal training, which does not teach belt, I developed a specialized technique that fills the gap between classical training and contemporary vocal needs. The Morganix Method, Sing Like You Speak, is designed to produce an open, clear, communicative instrument flexible enough to sing any style and play any character without strain – even when belting.
Singing has traditionally been considered a right-brain only activity. Yet as emerging research improves our understanding of the acoustics and mechanics of the vocal apparatus, the rules of theater performance voice and singing blend into one voice.
Speech is a left-brain activity that is natural, comfortable and easy. You talk all day long without a passing thought to technique. You speak on pitch in normal conversation. And you speak in rhythm – sometimes smooth and legato, sometimes pointed and staccato.
Neurologically, speaking on musical pitch requires a crossover in the brain in order to speak (left brain) on musical pitch (right brain). Yet, it has been proven that emotionally inflected speech, i.e., speech with pitch variation, crosses over from left-brain to the expressive right-brain where music is processed. It does so without the physical tension and psychological fear surrounding singing. That is why the foundation of a healthy belt, healthy singing in fact, rests in speaking on pitch to combine the ease of speech with the music of singing.
Elementary Music Education: What the Young Singers Learn From Their Voice Teacher
If you have a young musical talent in your family waiting to bloom, give him all the care he needs for his fragile voice with help from a voice teacher. Here is how to take care of his voice and develop it.
First of all, understand that voice is a beautiful instrument we have been given by Nature. To play it in the best possible way, i.e. to sing beautifully, your child and you will need to take a lot of efforts to learn to play it.
Secondly, understand that vocal chords are muscles like any other muscle, as a voice teacher will explain to you. That’s why you need to exercise them regularly through special training so that they remain strong and flexible.
Lastly, understand that young vocalists need to be trained under special rules which you as parents should know like the back of your hand.
The first recommendation for young singing children from a voice teacher is: take care of your health, especially vocal chords. Boys should not be allowed to shout at the top of their voices during active games and girls too should not be allowed to squeal at any time. Be alert, dear parents!
You may have seen a voice teacher telling his student to warm up his vocal chords before a performance. This is important for making them flexible and pliable so that they can be manipulated well.
If you don’t know how to make your child warm up his vocal chords, don’t worry; simply ask him to sing anything he likes. Children sometimes are not in the mood to sing. In such a situation, use the trick that a voice teacher will always employ:
If your child is reluctant to practice and keep his vocal chords in good condition, just start chatting about anything that he loves chatting about. Just make sure he doesn’t stop talking!
Why is this necessary? It is because active conversation awakens the voice. You heard right. The voice too needs to be awakened just like the body.
And now here is the most important recommendation from a voice teacher: any child who is good at singing and has great potential should see a phoniatrist – the special voice doctor – every six months. When he nears puberty, this frequency should double – visit every three months.
And this is surely not the complete list of recommendations and instructions for the singing child!
Singing Lessons – How To Find The Right Vocal Coach On The Internet
Before the internet, people looking for singing lessons checked the classified ads or the yellow pages for “Music Instruction,” or fliers in a local coffee shop caught their eye. Choices were limited.
Today if you are seeking a vocal coach, you run a Google search for “singing lessons,” “voice instruction,” “learn how to sing” or “vocal coach.” The limitless choices can seem overwhelming. How do you choose?
It is relatively easy once you have established criterion and know the right questions. This article will cover eight paths of navigation.
INSTRUCTIONAL SINGING VIDEOS
In-demand coaches often sell videos. An instructional singing video does not replace a teacher, but it’s an excellent resource at a fraction of the cost of a voice lesson (with no-risk if there’s a satisfaction guarantee policy). You cannot go into a voice teacher, spend $150 for an hour and at the end of it say, “I didn’t learn anything. I want my money back.” You will immediately gain understanding for the techniques and personality of a vocal coach through a video. A good vocal instructional video is one sign of a quality instructor.
VOCAL WORKSHOPS
Great coaches will offer workshops. Most in-demand vocal coaches charge anywhere from $125-$300/hour, in line with other private client services, such as therapy and tutoring. Workshops will be a fraction of the cost, provide a comprehensive introduction to a voice coach and present the student to a community of vocalists.
LIVE PERFORMANCE & YOUTUBE
For my money, a singing teacher should practice what they preach. Visit the coach’s artist website and research their talents on YouTube. Go hear them live, if they perform. This is vital. Can your prospective vocal coach sing?
TESTIMONIALS – REAL PEOPLE vs STAR ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsements from famous clients look impressive, but a star might be getting paid. Look for testimonials from real people, i.e. local performers and musicians you can check out. Email them through their website, and inquire about the voice coach and their singing lessons.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Some world famous vocal coaches have knowledgeable assistants who will speak on their behalf and take your questions. Others may be able to answer your calls themselves. Whether you speak with an assistant or a singing teacher personally, explain one vocal challenge and let the coach respond how s/he would help. Ask them to explain their basic singing technique. At least one of the following should be mentioned: breath support, breath placement, position/posture of the tongue, palette, jaw, and mouth, and ear training.
Be safe, do not go to the door of a voice coach you have not interviewed.
REFERENCES!
Ask For References, especially if you have a child who will be taking private lessons. Make an audio recording of your child’s lessons. Listen periodically. In school or camp, an adult is never allowed to be alone with a child. In private voice lessons, you are paying someone to do just that. Make sure you trust the voice coach manifestly.
MUSIC CREDENTIALS
An impressive degree does not ensure a great singing teacher. A great singing teacher may not have an impressive degree, however your coach’s educational background can be useful information.
RESULTS
Without much practice, progress can be slow. If voice lessons are still enjoyable and enriching, then there is no need to change your singing teacher; make an effort to get more practice and see if that makes a difference.
If your child has been practicing several times per week for half an hour a day, and you notice no vocal change after three months, try another vocal coach. Make sure the process is as enjoyable as the results. Keep it fun.