All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast by Judy Rodman

12 Vocal Resolutions To Rock the New Year -Updated

2023-12-26T05:30:00.001-06:00

WHEW, we're ending the year on a waltz (12-31-23 or 123-123) and have come to... 2024! I hereby challenge you to make this the best year ever for your voice! Here are some ideas to help you begin this January with intention and openness for opportunities to come for you and the people you can touch.

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I know a lot of folks are down on the idea of resolutions, saying they don't work. In my experience, it's all in the way you resolve yourself! Consider the word 'resolute'. If you are resolute, then you absolutely intend and expect to do something... you don't just muse about attempting it someday! Among the many things you might want to make new year resolutions about, please include your voice! Here are my 12 suggestions:

1. Resolve to assess the state of your voice.

All change starts with awareness. On a previous post, I suggested that you figure out your next most important thing for your voice, and start working on that. You can do this many ways... record and assess your voice yourself, ask friends with ears you trust what they hear in your performance, ask yourself how your voice feels when you sing (and right afterwards), attend a workshop or other event where you can showcase your voice and get an informed opinion, or in vocal lessons. If you think you might have vocal damage, go to an ENT fellowship trained specializing in voice. However you do it... get a baseline of the current condition of your voice. And while you're at it, assess the state of your overall health because your body IS your instrument!

2. Resolve to do something about your weakest vocal area.

Becoming aware is only the first step. Now you have to do something about what you've discovered. If your pitch sucks, do pitch practice. If your feel for rhythm is lacking, take drum or dance lessons. If your voice gets tired or strained, find out the fixes for the causes of your vocal cord abuse. If you have breath, tight throat or communication issues, find out what to practice, and then... get on a practice schedule!

3. Resolve to warm up and warm down your voice

OK can I tell you how nuts it is to perform on a cold voice? Try running an engine without oil. That's how nuts. Make a decision to warm up correctly, even if it's for 5 or 10 minutes, and that goes for in-between sets, too! Then do cool down exercises (light, shorter versions of warm ups) after long performances. Just as with muscle effort in athletics, your vocal apparatus needs the cool down to recover more quickly from strenuous use.

4. Resolve to address your speaking voice.

Frequently when a trashed voice comes in to train with me, I find that one of the core causes of the strain is from talking! You use the same little cords to speak that you sing with. Let that sink in. If talking tires you, change your technique. Yes, it will take concentration at first to correct life-long habits, but every speaking voice I've worked with will tell you it's worth it. And if you really want to go the distance, investigate voiceover careers! Fyi, I have the ultimate training course now available at www.SpeakingVoiceTechnique.com.

5. Resolve to get out of your comfort zone.

Your voice needs fresh fire to stay alive, present and growing. Even if you never do the song in public, learn something with lower or higher range (don't push, just pull strongly to challenge your voice without strain), learn a cover song in another genre, or write a song with a new co-writer!

6. Resolve to improve something you already do well.

No matter where you are in the vocal ability continuum, you can improve. Ask yourself deeply: what would you like to be able to do that you can't do now? Could you be less numb and more authentic when you sing or speak? Could your pitch accuracy be even better? Want even more control for vocal licks, volume, tone, whatever? Do you want to sing as well in the studio as you do live, or vice versa? Want to try another musical genre? Oh yes, you can.

7. Resolve to study some masters of your genre.

You may even be a master of your genre, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from other voices. Immerse yourself to study the vocal nuances of some singer or speaker you highly respect. Stick your headphones on and listen deeply. Practice to add what you hear and like to your own artistic vocabulary.

8. Resolve to set goals for your vocal performances.

What would you like to do with your voice? Where would you like to sing next year? What protocols would you need to follow for the pandemic era? Would you like to record something? Would you like to give a speech at some event? (Yes, the era of venue closings WILL end!) Would you like to sing to a loved one or at someone's wedding? Do better at songwriter rounds? Would you like to pursue a serious vocal career? or be more successful at growing the one you have? Write it down. You won't necessarily know the final outcome of your efforts, but your focused intentions can create attitudes which cause actions that lead to results... and sometimes create surprises you never would have imagined!

9. Resolve to have and nourish a small circle of trusted friends.

An artistic temperament is often rather reclusive, shy or lone-wolf-ish. But even the most creative spirit needs community. Each of us need a small circle of positivity, wisdom, encouragement and mutual accountability. It can keep us safe in times of failure AND success, growing and creating, and making a difference out there. A prosperous journey only takes place fully in connection with others. If you don't have this inner circle... resolve to find one! If you do... call, message, go see them or kiss them good morning regularly this year! And yes, you can have great brainstorming chats online... I do every week!

10. Resolve to take better care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually

Yep. All this has to do with your voice. Do take care of your vocal health (signup for my free vocal health report if you haven't yet). If you haven't yet... STOP SMOKING! Eat healthier (a whole new set of resolutions, eh?), commit to more physical exercise, back off sources of stress, connect spiritually in more regular devotional times. Your life, your voice and your messages will show it.

11. Resolve to sing fearlessly.

No matter how 'good' or 'bad' you think your voice is, your voice is valid and your messages matter. Sing. Speak. Use your voice fearlessly to make the world a better place! And when you start to do well out there, read over my post on Responsibilities of Successful Voices.

12. Resolve to be a better listener.

Don't forget that your ears are as important as your vocal cords. Empowering other voices truly can change the world. Make a point to listen more closely to someone else. Right now ask yourself: who is the quietest voice that you know? Perhaps start there ... make time and lend them your ear like it means something to you. It will.

Need help?

If you want some professional help with your singing &/or speaking voice... contact me for vocal lessons, or invest in a Power, Path & Performance course or Speaking Voice Technique to study on your own.

Meanwhile... Happy New Year!!

Gift Suggestions for Singers, Songwriters, Speakers and Musicians UPDATED 2023

2023-11-20T16:00:00.011-06:00

Ya might want to print this list out...

Do you have singers, speakers and/or musicians on your gift list? Here are some suggestions, updated for 2023!

Please note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

$25 or less...

Music! Support music creators with a gift that keeps on giving... a single or a whole album project. Here are 8 places you can purchase music online, or go to an artist's website to order (they make more money that way). Or go all-in with the great sound and look of vinyl!
My digital or physical 1-CD Power, Path and Performance vocal training course - hey, use this discount code for 25% off! FALL22SAVE25
Free music career training with Taylor Swift's former manager Rick Barker (several offerings on his website).
Great Speakers Use Acting Technique book by acting coach Barbara Kite.
Nothing Left To Lose But Everything To Gain book by Natalie Hall of The Hall Sisters
The Musician's Essential Exercises - by personal fitness expert Angela McCuiston, owner of 'Music Strong'
EarPlanes (paid ad) - for inflight ear discomfort - they work!
A camera tripod
The Singer's Mask A special type of good quality, comfortable masks especially designed protect singers from contagious illnesses while singing.
The Martian Popping Thing (paid ad) a.k.a. 'Panic Pete', whatever you call it, I use it to train breath technique; it's also a hand/finger exerciser and a mental stress reliever!
A neck scarf or shawl for blocking cold air to tender throats..
A music theory book
A flexible cellphone stand... great for videoing gigs, youtube performances, doing Facebook live videos, etc!
Voice therapist/speech pathologist Joana Cazden's book 'Every Day Voice Care' (paid ad)
Guitar Tuner or Metronome
Stage wear bling for clothes or hair
Mic stand pic holder (maybe add some pics!)
A small percussion instrument (tambourine, egg shaker, etc.)
An immune boosting supplement. There are tons of choices, a couple of suggestions I have include this buffered vitamin C powder -easy on the stomach but powerful; and On Guard cough drops (paid ad) from DoTerra.
Mullein herbal extract for help with excess phlegm - Mullein liquid, or capsules (paid ad).
Stainless steel, glass or BPA-free water container... and maybe add a 6 pack of Dole's pineapple juice (great throat soother and hydrator for stage and studio)
Lisa Aschmann's 1,000 Songwriting Ideas (paid ad)
A nasal wash system... here's a simple, comfortable one (paid ad)
A full length mirror (for singers, singer-dancers, musical theater actors, public speakers)
A humidifier or vaporizer.
Pack of instrument strings (find a sneaky way to make sure you know the instrumentalists' preference)
Instrument cleaner, polish or string changing wrench
Alan Carr's "Easy Way To Stop Smoking" (paid ad) (for the voice and for life)
A great read for the road: My friend Barbara Jenkins' book (sure to be a movie) 'So Long As It's Wild'
Great training for communicating handwritten notes that impact the reader: My friend Elizabeth Cottrell's book "Heartspoken"
My latest album John and Judy Rodman's "Here We Are".

$26 - $65

Singing In The Studio course (the ultimate professional level course for any singer who will be recording vocals.) Use that coupon to see if it still works: FALL22SAVE25
Vocal Production Workshop (for engineers/producers who want to get the best vocals possible out of their singers) Same coupon for this as well just might still work!
FALL22SAVE25
HearFones I have a limited number in stock right now. (Domestic shipping only, sorry, no coupon. I price them as low as I can.)
1/2 hour vocal lesson with me in-person, online or phone ($65 - Just contact me for payment info and to request a customized gift certificate.)
A music business staple: Passman's "All You Need To Know About The Music Business" (paid ad)
An acoustic cellphone amplifier (paid ad) or, do a google search and you'll find all kinds at all kinds of prices.
Physical training packages... local classes or online courses such as Pilates with Kim Saha
Membership for speakers in Toastmasters
Microphome foam microphone cleaner All of us should have a bottle of this.
A limited subscription to Netflix or boxed set of a TV series (for idle hours on the tour bus)
A music "fake book" or sheet music
Stands - music stand, mic stand, guitar stand
iPad stand holder
Tickets to a live concert event
A mini-trampoline for core and wellness physical workouts all voices need.
A thumb drive for music tracks and vocal exercises
Mp3 speakers (some of the cheap ones sound fine and work with not only iPhones but also Android phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
iPhone adapter (for newer iPhones that don't have a phone jack)

$65 - $300

An hour vocal lesson with me in office or online (($125 - Just contact me for payment info and to request a customized gift certificate.))
Speaking Voice Technique video vocal training course
My full UPDATED 6-disc Power, Path and Performance vocal training course - again, try that coupon FALL22SAVE25 . Please specify if you want the course on disc, or prefer the files on thumb drive - or just the digital version
A membership subscription to CARTNE music career training.
The Little Prompter (paid ad) for cellphone, laptop, computer
A JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker (paid ad)
A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as ProTools, Studio One, Logic, Reaper.
A backup hard drive for recording projects
A Cajon, Djembe or frame drum
A data package for a smartphone
Membership(s) in NSAI (for songwriters), AFM (Musician's Union) or SAG/AFTRA (singer/actor union - you must be eligible)
Photoshop Elements (An affordable version to create web banners, flyers, edit photos, all kinds of photo uses)
MasterWriter software
Gym membership and/or personal trainer (for health, looks AND vocal stamina!)
Acting or dance lessons... Google classes and prices in your area, get recommendations.
A microphone - spend some time finding out what is needed. Will it be for stage performance or recording?

For a speaker, look at a lavalier mic system (paid link). For a podcaster, there are cheap and more expensive mics for all these applications, do some digging around.
An economical time-tested stage or rehearsal workhorse is the Shure SM58 (paid ad) or Sennheiser 835 (paid ad).

A small mixing board
A quality pair of headphones
A turntable (LP vinyl player - and hey, discriminating ears love vinyl!)
An instrument case with wheels, or lightweight gig bag
Digital recorder
Surprise your performer at a show with flowers!

$300 and up

Funding for my vocal production and/or bgvs (contact me if you'd like to discuss)
A series of vocal lessons with me (I'll be happy to provide a gift certificate)
Lessons on an instrument.
Mixing board
Live performance coaching
A camera, GoPro or camcorder
Better microphones

I use the broadcaster staple 'Shure SM7b' (paid ad) for both podcasting and singing.
To have your own mic locker for recording vocals, look at the Slate Digital Modeling Mic. (paid ad)

An audio interface - simple, or complex like the Apollo (mine is the Twin - the PC version) which comes with console and plugins.
A web or Facebook designer
DragonSpeak - Voice Recognition Software (for songwriters and speech writers)
In-ear monitors
Stage clothes and/or bling
Wireless mic system
A photo session
CD graphics design
A music marketing seminar or bootcamp
Funding for video shoot
An instrument.. guitar, keyboard, mandolin, violin, etc
New road cases
Home studio recording gear
A live PA system

Gifts of Your time/expertise -

Host an outdoor socially distanced karaoke party or guitar pull!
Write song charts for your loved one's songs.
Set them up on a social network they are new to.
Teach them to use some software you know they need.
Videotape them for TikTok, Instagram, Youtube Live or Facebook Live.
Do or better yet, teach them how to do some video or audio editing, such as with Audacity (free software).
Type up and organize their worktapes and lyrics, or convert them digitally and save.
Write a song in honor of them (priceless!)
Commit to a number of hours of computer work... updating databases, uploading videos and pictures, social network friending, researching, etc.
If you have a home studio, record a song demo or worktape on them.
Carve out special time to listen and critique their song, performance, speech.
Give them a day of complete voice rest! Do the talking for them.
Babysit or dog sit while they write, perform, record or attend someone else's show.
Attend their live or online show and invite friends!
Recommend their music or show on your social network sites

Or...get creative. Give to a charity in your loved one's name, buy them a star, make a memory spending some time together in person or online, or volunteering for charity service!

Now: What do YOU want for Christmas? You can leave a hint here in the comments and then send a link to the post:) I intend to update this list every year... so bookmark this post and check back whenever it's gift-giving time for you again!

My Voice's Gratitude List - updated 2023

2023-11-20T13:28:00.011-06:00

As Thanksgiving approaches this year, I am reminded of a thousand blessings that keep me in a state of gratitude. My list goes on forever ...

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Finding that creativity has no age limit

I'm finding the older I get, the braver I create. As I worked this year on Runaway Home the Musical -

and then RE-WORKED it, writing new songs to a revised story even after a successful NYC reading of the old one - I'm no longer scared that the last song I wrote would be my best. I'm grateful to learn there's always more where that came from, and I can pass that lesson on to you

Knowing that vocal damage can completely heal

I know this from personal experience, after losing an octave and a half from an endotracheal tube down my throat for an extended time in the hospital. As a vocal coach, that experience has helped me help others. I have seen vocal polyps, nodules, and vocal cord paralysis disappear with corrective vocal re-training. Surgery can almost always be avoided if the damage is stopped in time.

Discovering that brick walls are just turning points, and that with time, sadness passes.

Everything I've lost, every dead end in life I've hit, has taught me more than the good times. That doesn't make up for the loneliness, fear and deep sadness that many, for various reasons, face this holiday season. All I can tell you is that from my experience, waste can turn into compost for your life, and for your value to others. Hold on... take the time to process what you need to, and reach for those who care and can help. They are out there, and you are not done yet!

Not having grown up with auto tune

I had to learn precision technique and control the hard way... and now it helps me teach you!

Conversations with other curious, caring vocal coaches

I have had fantastic conversations, in person and online with coaches including Jeffrey Allen, Jeannie Deva, Jamie Vendera, Lisa Popeil, Joana Cazden, Richard Fink IV, Mark Thress, and many others. Mr. Allen granted me permission to use his hook-shaped voice path in my teaching, and Joana Cazden suggested improvements to my vocal health document. I love sharing information as a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), trading lessons and ideas in classical and contemporary voice with singers and teachers such as my dear friend Mark Thress! I'm grateful when a teacher or other voice expert comments on a post in this blog. We may not see things exactly the same way, but these conversations have all given me insight and made me a better and more effective teacher.

Great voices and music creators

Without the inspiration of incredibly talented singers, writers and musicians, my voice would be just a collection of various noises. My singing and speaking are influenced by decades of other voices from multiple genres and eras of music.

My vocal coach, Gerald Arthur

When I moved to Nashville, I found that Gerald was the coach for the top studio session singers I worked with. I got in to see him, and he fit me into one of his 8:30am 1/2 hour spots, which helped get singers ready for their 10am recording sessions. The first thing he told me was to stop 'guarding'. Many of you have received that instruction from me; well that's where it came from. Gerald not only helped me get my damaged voice back and then some, he also taught me how to teach. He showed me that the voice is a deep part of the psyche and that a vocal coach often becomes part-counselor or life coach. I can't imagine teaching someone without loving and caring about them. Gerald gave me that blueprint. His passing left a big hole in the vocal coaching universe.

The gift of insight and intuition.

I'm just not that smart. But I know that if we are open, useful wisdom is somehow channeled to all of us from the ultimate source of all wisdom. I'm so grateful to God for taking all I've done in my career, adding other illumination and creating in me the ability to teach voice. I had no idea how fulfilling it would be for me to help nurture other voices and be the wind at someone else's back. Now it blows my mind.

Every vocal student I've ever had

...especially the ones with toughest, peskiest problems. Your patience and your dedication to your training have led to breakthroughs and of course, to solutions for the next student who comes in with that issue. I love you for trusting me with your precious voices, and being willing to go down the rabbit trails we explored until we found your answers!

My husband John and our son Peter

John makes everyone I work with feel welcome, sometimes stopping by the webcam to say hello! He also helps me to remember to power down at the end of the day and gives me a great reason to. He is my most important critic, sounding board and encourager. He also joined me to create and perform our surprise last album "Here We Are". There aren't enough words for what that album means to us both!

Our son Peter is our most precious legacy. As a photographer, craftsman, digital designer and musician is a creator in his own right, and helps me with all things technical. I can't imagine life without either of them.

Listeners

A good voice is said to have a 'gift'. But If no one is there, how can a gift be given? Every once in awhile I still perform in front of listening audiences. I sometimes regale my family and friends with a song or two to get their reaction. Thank goodness people not only have voices but also ears! I'm so grateful for everyone who has ever come to one of my shows or presentations and I love to take my turn listening to your performances, too!

Friendship, trust, inspiration, and support

My first question about how to sing something came from my fellow session singer/co-writer Carol Chase. She really sparked the idea in me to become a vocal coach. After a few years of teaching, I began creating my first Power, Path & Performance course at the request of producer/friend Dick McVey, who suggested that I record some vocal exercises for people. That was over 20 years ago. People like this have driven me to do things I'd never have otherwise done. Thank you!

Pineapple juice

I had no idea when I poured a little can of pineapple juice into that 13 oz glass of water that it would go on to be my best recommendation for dry or irritated throats! I rarely leave home to sing without it. Oh... and coffee. Without my morning joe, my voice would still be staring at the alphabet rather than stringing it together into sentences:)

The transpose button

A big thank you goes up to whoever invented the transpose button on my keyboard! That way my students and I can sing in for instance the key of B, while I play it in my fingers' much preferred Bb or C! 😀

YOU

I am very grateful for you, dear reader and supporter of 'All Things Vocal'. You are the reason I do this. If you have a suggestion for this blog or podcast to make it of more value to you please let me know. Your comments and reviews are incredibly important and I am so very grateful to those of you who take the time.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving...

And once more, thanks for being a part of this All Things Vocal village!

JP & Kat-Raio Rende Interview (Part 2): Chipmunks to Charts

2023-11-20T12:50:00.002-06:00

Watch video above

or,

Listen to podcast on iTunes ... Spotify ... or anywhere else

This is Part 2 of my interview with primetime music creators JP and Kathryn Raio-Rende, owners of Earworm Music Company in New York City. If you haven't yet, be sure to check out Part 1!

LINKS

* Find the Rendes and Earworm Music: https://www.earwormny.com

* Find their Emmy-winning Sesame Street song video: https://youtu.be/derxRN-ZkMI?si=IwjvK8Hn9RnyrZ2u

Things We Discussed in Part 2

I asked JP and Kat how they got the sound of Kat's vocal for Alvin & the Chipmunks.
Practical music charting and some very useful shortcuts, such as the Nashville number system.
Singing live for major artists, and the very real stresses when you have to work fast to create arrangements and chose who sings what.
I get to share a favorite vocal ninja trick... backing off volume... to save both singer and mic and make the vocal sound better. JP and Kat loved it.
We chat gear... and JP introduces me to a mic where I might get my fav Telefunken C-12 sound... the Slate Digital Modeling Mic!
We talk about whispering styles and the voice.

Don't forget to subscribe, and look for Part 1 of this interview!

JP & Kat-Raio Rende Interview (Part 1): Creating Emmy-Winning Music

2023-11-13T08:30:00.006-06:00

Watch video above

or,

Listen to podcast on iTunes ... Spotify ... or anywhere else

My guests today are primetime music creators JP and Kathryn Raio-Rende, owners of Earworm Music Company in New York City. This is Part 1 of our interview, which is so full of nuggets I couldn't leave out, I decided to break it into two episodes for you. After watching, be sure and check out Part 2!

About JP and Kathryn Rende:

JP and Kat are extraordinarily experienced, successful and knowledgeable about writing, singing and producing for major market media. They also have a ton of live experience. This married duo's earliest major success was winning an Emmy for their song 'Friends With A Penguin', sung by Billy Porter and aired on Seseme Street. Since then, they've written and produced music for several top kids shows on major streaming networks including HBO, Disney+ and Netflix. But they also have had songs sung and recorded by Cardi B, Tori Kelly, Michael Buble’, The Jonas Brothers, Fifth Harmony, Ciara, Romeo Santos, Billy Porter and more. Enjoy listening as we trade stories and strategies, and learn some valuable insider tips for songwriting, studio production, and singing. You'll even hear us trade some marital advice for balancing family and music!

LINKS

* Find the Rendes and Earworm Music: https://www.earwormny.com

* Find their Emmy-winning Sesame Street song video: https://youtu.be/derxRN-ZkMI?si=IwjvK8Hn9RnyrZ2u

Things We Discussed in Part 1

Who JP and Kat are, and what they've accomplished
First music JP and Kat made together
Creating their company Earworm Music
Why they transitioned from writing jingles to kids music
Collaborating with other writers
Mentoring and giving new talent opportunities
Transitioning and learning about gear and home studios
The need to know current music business, current and classic music styles
How focusing on one listener's heart affects what we write and record.
Writing for kids about serious subjects for Sesame Street & Tab Time
Creating their Emmy-winning song 'Friends With A Penguin', sung by Billy Porter
Carving out family time (where no one's allowed to mention music!)
How John (my husband) and I collaborate
How to work for excellence vs perfection
Thoughts on overtuning vs smart tuning
We discuss charts, how to learn songs and the efficiency of the Nashville number system
Kat explains 3 types of singers

Don't forget to subscribe, and look for Part 2 of this interview!

Personal Branding for Music Artists - Megan Gersch Interview

2023-10-16T17:30:00.003-05:00

Watch Interview on YouTube or,

Listen to podcast on iTunes ... Spotify ... or anywhere else

To build a successful music career, you need to grow a following; a body of work is your prime artistic asset, but a fanbase is your prime business asset. One of the biggest challenges that artists face is in knowing how to leverage their personal brand. Your music may be amazing, but you aren’t effectively showcasing it and your brand to attract your ideal audience.

Megan Gersch is my interview guest today, and she’s going to share some strategies to help us stand out from the crowd instead of just blending in.

Things We Discussed

What is a personal brand for music?
How Megan created her promotion career and landed her gig at Live Nation
How to use visuals in branding to help attract the right fanbase
Questions to help find your target audience
How to research audiences and dive into social media channels to connect with ideal fans
Other ways beyond social media to connect with and widen your audiences
The need to create better 'freebies'
Delivering more value to target audience
Redefining the concept of 'selling' music
How to create pieces of marketing content authentically and organically
We discuss the value of blogging for artists, as long as it's not just AI
Personal branding for joint ventures
Megan talks about her free resources for music artists
Megan's other services for helping artists with personal branding, including websites.

About Megan Gersch

Megan Gersch is a Web Designer and Branding Strategist. She works with music industry professionals and creative visionaries to help them stand out from their competitors with unique branding design, website design, and marketing strategy that converts. With over 16 years of experience, she has worked with some of the most well-known names in the entertainment industry (Netflix, Spaceland Presents, The Echo, Echoplex, Regent Theater, KCRW Radio, and Live Nation). She also cohosts the Your Sparkly Brand podcast, a show designed to empower entrepreneurs with the tips, tools and strategies needed to build their empires.

LINKS:
megangersch.com
hello@megangersch.com
Your Sparkly Brand Podcast
Listen: Apple • Spotify • Google

What do YOU need?

What would you like to know about in order to have a more successful vocal career? I am always looking for better ways to serve you, both in the business of music and in the ability and health of your voice. Your comments help me to help you, so give me your thoughts!

Metamorphosis of Runaway Home - a New Musical

2023-08-23T17:48:00.002-05:00

Watch Interview on YouTube or,

Listen to podcast on iTunes ... Spotify ... or anywhere else

On Sept 21 and 22, 2023 a star-studded cast will present (or has already presented) a staged reading of Runaway Home, a musical I co-wrote with Darren J. Butler, to an audience of theater, tv and film professionals and investors who can move it forward to full production. This musical's journey has been a many-year, multi-workshopped, re-worked odyssy - but it's finally ready for prime time. In this interview with Darren, we talk about how this musical has metamorphosized from a couple of monologues he wrote on a plane to a staged reading by headliners for heads of the entertainment industry in the middle of New York.

Find bios of creative team and actors, news and more at RunawayHomeTheMusical.com

Darren J. Butler's website: https://www.darrenjbutler.com
Judy Rodman's website: https://judyrodman.com

My sincere thanks for your likes, comments, shares, subscribes & reviews
for All Things Vocal.
Your response is the fuel that keeps this show going!

Our story:

The initial seeds of our collaboration are planted by my sister Beki Ferguson.
Darren writes the first monologues are on a plane.
With a DVD for Rent and his first song lyrics, Darren talks me into writing for musical theater.
Our creation process, writing and getting feedback into the wee hours.
Our initial workshops in Decatur, Al and Bristol Connecticut,, what a workshop is and should accomplish.
Why we stopped, put the play on hold as years and life went by.
Darren emails me out of the blue - "it's time for Runaway Home".
New script needed new songs; after initial experimentation, we discover we're back!
Previously disaffected by musical theater, Darren discovers Dear Evan Hansen and falls back in love with the artform.
Emma Denson is chosen as our director for the reading.
We enlist and gather responses from a focus group.
Legendary NY talent agent Nancy Carson gives her thumbs up and helps us find our lead actor.
The incredible synchronicity of getting Todd Bartos comes onboard to lead the company, and his son to play a part he understands from his own trauma.
My friend, business mentor and vocal client Jack Dell decides to back us as sole investor, and help with deal structure - just in time for September!
Still sitting on go: Waiting on letters of intent so we can tell people about our stunning cast.
Drum roll: We name our staged reading cast!
We enlist Sean Pallatroni to do scores as music director for the reading.
Next steps for Runaway Home.
What's next for Darren and me.

A New Approach To Manual Therapy for Voice: Walt Fritz Interview

2023-08-01T06:32:00.001-05:00

Watch the YouTube Video
or

Listen & subscribe to (and rate/review) the podcast on iTunes ... on Spotify ... or anywhere else

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Walt Fritz, a leading physical therapist who uses a unique, patient-involved approach in manual therapy. With his groundbreaking new book 'Manual Therapy for Voices... a Person-Centered Approach,' Walt emphasizes the importance of active patient participation in the healing process.

More about Walt:

US-based physical therapist Walt Fritz teaches a unique interpretation of manual therapy for speech-language pathologists, registered dental hygienists, voice professionals, massage, physio, and occupational therapists, osteopaths, and related communities. His gentle, non-manipulative, and interactive approach advances views of causation and impact from historical tissue-specific models into a multifactorial narrative, leaning heavily on biopsychosocial influences. His principles apply to a broad spectrum of intervention models using a model of evaluation and intervention that encourages equality between patient and clinician, utilizing shared decision-making rather than the biomedical clinician-as-expert approach.

Unlike traditional laryngeal and soft tissue manipulation, Walt offers the clinician and patient a more subtle approach that gives the receiver more time to assess its influence and relevance. This approach is often better tolerated than aggressive, manipulative forms of treatment and aligns well with newer research findings, allowing the patient to frame the intervention from their preferences and values. Seeing the utility of manual therapy not as a standalone treatment but as an integral part of clinicians' more extensive work, Walt assimilates his approach into a wide range of treatment protocols. His work is equally appropriate for dysphagia, dysphonia, voice performance limitations, oral motor dysfunction, tongue-related concerns, breathing difficulties, and related disorders.

Walt presents his live, in-person workshops internationally through his Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars, www.WaltFritz.com, offers of range of online learning opportunities, and his book is scheduled for release in March 2023 titled "Manual Therapy in Voice and Swallowing: A Person-Centered Approach," and maintains a physical therapy practice in Upstate, NY, USA.

LINKS:

* Walt Fritz website * "Manual Therapy for Voice and Swallowing" book (please note this is my affiliate link): https://amzn.to/47ffWFy (#ad)

YOUR TURN:

Have you ever been treated by a manual therapist? What do you think about being more actively involved in your healing journey?

Vocal Strain: 18 Causes and Fixes for Your Tired Voice

2023-06-27T06:30:00.038-05:00

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Vocal strain, also known as vocal fatigue, is the leading cause of vocal problems, limitations and vocal damage for both singers and speakers. In this post, I'm going to give you the top 18 causes of vocal strain that I see, and tell you how to fix what's making your voice so tired. I'm also going to share a short vocal lesson I did where vocal fatigue was eliminated within minutes, so be sure and stick around for all that.

But let's start with the signs of vocal strain: You may experience it in different degrees, from your voice just getting tired after you use it, to your voice hurting when you use it. Sometimes you temporarily lose your voice. The bad news is it gets worse over time unless you do something to stop it. The good news is... you CAN stop it.

NOTE OF CAUTION: Symptoms of vocal strain and fatigue can also be symptoms of more serious conditions of vocal damage or other underlying medical condition. If your vocal strain persists, consult your doctor - if possible, a fellowship-trained laryngologist who specializes in voice.

If you've gotten used to having a strained or tired voice, you may think these signs are normal... until you wake up without a voice on a day you desperately need to use it!

Here are some of the signs of vocal strain

...even if you have just one of these, your voice gets tired when it doesn't have to:

It doesn't feel very good to use it. It may just be vaguely uncomfortable, or it may really hurt to speak or sing.
Your voice doesn't sound very good when it's not feeling good. Your tone may be tight, weak or harsh; you may fall on vocal fry a lot. This happens because your strained voice triggers (and comes from) a lack of breath control.
Your voice gives out quickly, both talking and singing.
Your throat and ribcage may be tight because of the guarded posture stance you take, which compounds your vocal strain as that posture causes you to push your voice to try to get it to work.
Your voice cracks at your passagio, or where your chest and head registers meet, instead of blending in an ever-changing mix. You can have strange glitches here and there through your vocal range.
You lose some of your vocal range, your high notes and low notes may suffer.
Your performance focus (your communication skill) is distracted because you worrying about how your voice is going to work, or if you're going to lose it.
In general, your usual level of vocal ability and control is limited. It's hard to do what used to be easy. Using your voice may be something you now dread.

So, is vocal strain inevitable? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Can it be conquered? In my experience as singer and coach... ABSOLUTELY YES!

Vocal strain & fatigue is a condition I love to work with, because by changing vocal techniques and strategies, you can experience relief from vocal strain immediately! Check out this video of a short lesson I did with a very busy singer in Peru named Silvana Del Campo who had vocal fatigue from overuse, and see how fast her vocal strain disappears when we change her posture at the wall...

It's one of my favorite moments in vocal lessons, when a student experiences that quick relief from vocal fatigue! Then, of course, you have to practice what worked!

Now let's get down into the weeds:

Here are the top 17 causes of vocal strain I see in singers and speakers, and some strategies for turning the tide back towards vocal health:

1. Bad Breathing Technique:
...this can include a habit of gasping noisy little inhales too high in chest. But the exhale is usually the biggest problem: you're pushing too much breath through your vocal cords and you have no idea how to control that breath.

THE FIX: learn to inhale deeply, as if your air tank sits in your pelvic floor. Then power your voice with a controlled compression breath from your pelvic floor or your heels if standing, instead of pushing breath from your ribcage.

2. Posture issues
... slumping even just a bit causes the pushed, uncontrolled breath, a tightness of throat channel and is a very common common cause vocal strain.

THE FIX: You can’t change anything you’re not aware of so… check to see where your head is balanced when you talk or sing. A simple fix for vocal strain can be to balance your head back over your tailbone or heels when sitting, standing or walking instead of hanging forward over your desk, thighs or the balls of your feet. Watch that video I just showed you again, and try doing your own wall work!

3. Tight Throat Channel:
... it's tight where your nose, throat and mouth meet at the "post-nasal drip zone".

THE FIX: Loosen the stricture by learning to balance your head over your tailbone and to engage more active facial language (eyes, jaw, mouth) to communicate more clearly - which also helps relieve vocal strain.

4. Yelling:
... 20 minutes of yelling, screaming or "shooting your voice from your throat" can result in blood blisters, the beginnings of vocal nodules or nodes, appearing on the vocal cords. Keep it up and you'll harden those blisters into callouses (which are vocal nodes), or you'll grow polyps or even cause vocal cord paralysis or vocal cord hemorrhage. I

THE FIX: Never ever push excess air through your vocal cords to create volume. Instead, your vocal volume should come from pulling with passionate articulation and accessing resonance zones in your head, mask, mouth and chest, which will increase your vocal resonance and power - WITHOUT causing vocal strain.

OK we just covered vocal technique you need to change so that you pull, not push, your voice to eliminate vocal strain and fatigue. Here's something cool to know: the techniques that conquer vocal strain also increase vocal impact. As I said earlier, when your voice feels better it sounds better! Now let’s go on with some other causes of vocal strain:

5. Acute Viral Laryngitis:
... you'll definitely experience vocal strain trying to use your voice with this. Viral laryngitis can be part of an upper respiratory illness, but sometimes appears without other signs of sickness.

THE FIX: Rest your voice completely til the infection subsides. Don’t whisper, just talk in a bell-like tone mid-range if you must. Mostly mime and write to communicate. If you don't rest your voice, your vocal strain can turn into a persistent case of Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD), or a nasty case of vocal damage.

6. Acid Reflux (GERD)
... or its more vocally problematic form known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

THE FIX: Instead of living with this, get to the bottom of what's causing your reflux. Consult your doctor, and if you have a mild case, you might try (with your doctor's ok) taking food enzymes with your meals. The ones that work for me are called Digestzymes (Amazon pd link)

7. Smoking
... causes irritation, swelling and dehydration of the vocal folds. Not to mention COPD and lung cancer. You may not even realize your voice is fatigued or strained because the feeling is so normal for you.

THE FIX: Stop smoking. You can do it... I did! You may find help with the classic book 'TheEasy Way To Stop Smoking' (Amazon pd link).

8. Talking too loud, too long, without good vocal technique

... can cause not only vocal fatigue but serious vocal damage.

THE FIX: learn healthy speaking techniques. Many times, even with my singers the first thing I address to correct vocal strain is the person's speaking voice. If you really want to dig into this, check out my specialized online training course SpeakingVoiceTechnique.com.

9. Chronic or Strong Coughing
... the constant hitting of your vocal cords together is as bad as yelling.

THE FIX: You must get to the bottom of the cause of the cough and cure it. Sometimes it's GERD or LPR, sometimes a short term virus, post nasal drip, allergen or other air-born irritant, sometimes it's throat cancer. See your doctor if your cough lingers or brings up blood. When you do cough, do it as lightly as you can. I like to say ‘cough backwards’. Minimize clearing your voice... sometimes it's just a bad habit. When you do, clear as lightly as you can. Again... pull that clearing.

10. Bone and joint problems:
... You might not think of this as a source of vocal problems but a lack of strength and flexibility in the spine dcan significantly affect the voice; and pain in your spine or between your ribs can indeed cause vocal strain from breath and tight throat issues.

THE FIX: Go on an intentional journey to investigate the causes and solutions to your bone and joint problems... from medical professionals and alternative practitioners. Do your stretches… take your supplements, stop drinking those colas! Your body AND your voice will thank you!

11. Muscle tension problems:
... These, too, can trigger a tight chest and/or throat channel and a "freezing" of anatomy... this is always detrimental to healthy vocal technique.

THE FIX: Get to the bottom of the causes of your physical tension issues. Again, get medical advice and/or alternative practitioners such as chiropracters, physical therapists that work with the larynx such as Gina Thurston, and therapeutic masseuses. One of the best things you can do before stage or studio performance is to get a pre-show chiropractic adjustment and/or shoulder massage.

12. Physical fatigue problems
...Great singing without vocal strain really takes a lot of physical energy. Physical fatigue, whether short term or chronic, can cause slumping of the body with concurrent high, pushed breathing and throat tightness.

THE FIX: If you're too tired to support your voice, consider canceling a show. Find and correct the source of your physical fatigue. Explore dietary changes, food supplements, check your hormones... consult your doctor … just don't stop till you know!

13. Emotional problems
... nervousness, lack of confidence, depression, numbness, eating disorders, addictions, chronic resentments, inability to focus on communicating. These emotions affect anatomy in ways that can cause vocal strain.

THE FIX: Use your desire for a strain-free voice as strong incentive to get to the bottom of your mental and emotional imbalances. This is another way that taking care of your voice can add value to your whole life and relationships.

14. Lack of Sleep
... causing once again, slumping of body and breathing/throat issues. This is a very common hidden source of vocal fatigue.

THE FIX: Figure out what's keeping you from getting a good night's sleep. This definitely goes for those of you on the road... if you want to avoid vocal strain, you simply must make time and space for quality sleep. Have a talk with whoever puts your schedule together!

15. Dehydration
... the vocal cords need a thin layer of mucus lubricating them to move most efficiently. Not enough water intake results in a thickening of this lining... imagine your boat running aground and you'll have an idea of what your dehydrated voice experiences.

THE FIX: drink enough water to pee pale. Don't wait to start the day of your performance... your voice needs the water you drank yesterday. You might try sipping diluted pineapple juice when you need to speak or sing a lot. For a lot more suggestions, be sure to signup for my 9-page ebook 'Vocal Health'.

16. Flabby Core (from insufficient physical exercise)
... causing slumped posture, unsupported and under-controlled breath and tight throat... you know by now that this is the recipe for vocal fatigue and strain.

THE FIX: Work it out! Especially do core-strengthening exercises. Your voice needs your abs, your back, your thighs to be toned. For best results, look into a personal trainer at least for a few sessions. A great source of information on physical exercise for musicians is Angela McCuiston, founder of Music Strong.

17. Singing Loud Before Building Stamina

OK this is a big one... no matter how well you do your vocal exercises and use good vocal technique, you still can strain your voice if you sing significantly loud and/or long before you've practiced full voice long enough to develop the stamina your performance will need. In other words, you can't go from zero to 90 with vocal performance without incurring vocal strain and fatigue. And possibly damage.

THE FIX: Start singing your set at least 4 days, preferably a week or two before your performance or tour, singing a little longer and stronger every day. Gradually increase your vocal stamina - if you're doing it right, your voice will feel BETTER, not WORSE the next day. If you experience strain, back off your rehearsal time and volume and go slower - always using great technique, pulling instead of pushing for volume. If you're using great vocal technique on tour you will notice your voice getting STRONGER, not tireder, as your series of performances go on.

18. Here's an less common but still significant cause of vocal strain: Endo-tracheal damage from being on a ventilator.
... if you must undergo surgery, watch for this one.

THE FIX: if elective surgery, make sure you tell your anesthesiologist that you are a singer or speaker whose vocal health is vital, and to use extreme care if and when you must be intubated. You might even tell your family to have this conversation in case you are incapacitated. Here's my story of recovering from vocal damage sustained from being on a ventilator.

Bottom line: If you need help with vocal strain, please do reach out and do something about it! If you suspect vocal damage or illness, please consult a medical professional first to rule out anything that requires medical intervention.

So what about you:

What is your experience with vocal strain? Did any of this information surprise you? Do you have a cause of vocal fatigue you'd like to add? I'd love to know!

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Singers & Musicians: Get Fit, Not Hurt! (Angela McCuiston Interview)

2023-05-22T19:02:00.033-05:00

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Getting physically injured can temporarily stop or permanently end a music career. My guest Angela McCuiston, founder of 'Music Strong', has developed a specialty career in fitness training and rehabilitation exercises for music makers of all kinds. Listen to this interview to hear Angela and I discuss some vital fitness strategies that can improve muscle balance, endurance and strength. A musician herself, Angela understands the stresses of our vocations and the stakes involved! - LINKS - Find Angela at:

Find me at:

JudyRodman.com
If you haven't yet, download my free 9-page e-book 'Vocal Health Tips

Topics we discussed:

Angela's own playing-related injury episodes that eventually led through frustration to creating 'Music Strong', where she helps musicians get fit for more strength and endurance, and get targeted remedial exercises for muscle imbalances and injuries.
My vocal cord injury leading to my work with injured voices.
Angela's integration of multiple protocols of healing, including Alexander Technique, Barbara Conable's body mapping, Eva Amsler's dynamic integration
Some key physical issues of guitarists and pianists that she works with.
The importance of muscle balance - including the muscles working the singer's chest and head registers.
What older music makers should look for in a personal trainer.
Angela tells us about the programs she offers through 'Music Strong', such as her personal workout sessions, instrument-specific fitness training, her 'Covid Comeback' program, and her proposed 'Music Strong Wellness Center.
The highly effective free exercises Angela offers on her Youtube channel
And more!

More About Angela:

Angela McCuiston is a NASM-CPT, CES, SFS and CETI-CES (Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist and Cancer Exercise Specialist). She is the owner of Music Strong, a business that specializes in personal fitness training for musicians.

Her studies include Alexander Technique, Barbara Conable's Body Mapping, and Eva Amsler's Dynamic Integration as well as Neurokinetic Therapy.

Winner of the 2007 NFA Piccolo Master class, Angela received her Master of Music in Flute Performance from Florida State University and her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Tennessee Technological University. Angela is Assistant Principal/Piccolo of Sinfonia Gulf Coast of Destin, Nashville Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony and Nashville Flute Choir. Joining the military soon after 9/11 she recently recently transferred to the 313th Army Band in Huntsville, AL, after

completing a 16-year tenure in the 129^th Army Band in Nashville, TN. In addition to her solo performances, she has performed with such celebrities as Kristen Chenowith, Pink Martini, Jamie Bernstein, Morgan James, Chris Mann, Nancy Griffith and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

Recently she was sought out by the Old Guard, Army Fife and Drum Corps as a special consultant to prevent playing related injuries. She has been sought out for numerous other positions including becoming a provider for MusiCares (A musician’s wellness division of The Recording Academy: the Grammy’s) and completing her 4-year appointment as Chair of the National Flute Association Performance Health Committee. In August 2020, Angela also joined the faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN as professor of flute.

In February 2019 she published her first book: The Musician’s Essential Exercises, and recorded over 20 instrument specific workouts available for download. She also offers a comprehensive workout program she calls 'The Covid Comeback' for musicians coming off a long hiatus from playing.

Most recently, she has transitioned her focus into building a musician’s wellness center in Nashville, TN. The center seeks to be the first of its kind, bridging the gap between traditional and holistic medicine, offering comprehensive and concierge wellness care for musicians.

What About YOU?

What experience do you have with playing- or singing- related injuries? What helped you? What mysteries remain?

Singing On The Road? 12 Tips For The Voice On Tour

2023-05-03T18:17:00.028-05:00

The road can be a dream come true, or a vocal nightmare!

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Singing on the road can be one of the greatest joys of having a voice. It can also be filled with unexpected events which you have to learn to roll with. However… vocal issues can mostly be avoided if you know how. In fact, when you consistently use good technique and strategy, you can end up with your voice stronger and less fatigued as the tour goes on! Many of the artists I’m working with, including the stunning Hall Sisters are gearing up for big summer tour season. Lots of consecutive day shows, some long ones. They know that taking care of the voice for the Olympic event-level vocal performance needed for every show is crucial. Here’s some advice I give for protecting and growing your vocal stamina on the road:

1. Bring Food

...with you when you travel that gives you energy and doesn't exacerbate phlegm or acid reflux, just in case the backstage fare is not good. Especially if you travel by bus, bring salads, fruit, protein snacks. hummus, whatever works for you. Eat what gives you stamina but not heartburn and doesn't bog your digestion down before performance. Here's more about what to eat before you sing.

2. Bring Extra Water

Be sure to drink enough water on non-performance days, too. Consider bringing little cans of pineapple juice in your luggage to you always have some on hand to dilute with water and bring onstage. Another remedy you might try is cayenne pepper on anything you eat or drink. I have several more solutions in my 9-page ebook ‘Vocal Health Tips’ – get that free download from my website if you haven’t yet. Herbal teas can be soothing, but steer clear of dehydrating drinks like black tea. If you drink alcohol, do it after your performance, not before, and for best vocal results, limit it altogether while on tour.

Stop smoking. Yep. That means you. Yer welcome. Here's a book that helped me do it years ago: The Easy Way To Stop Smoking (Amazon - paid link) https://amzn.to/411cxpy

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

3. Steam Your Throat

...with showers or hot baths as you get ready for your gigs, and also when you get into your hotel room from the dry-air vehicle or drive or flight. Consider bringing portable humidifiers, especially in super-dry climates you’re not acclimated to. That includes Las Vegas!

4. Get Quality Sleep

Sleep is as important as food and hydration for the voice. When singing on the road, sometimes it's difficult to get the zzz's in: you sleep on the bus, arrive at the hotel in the middle of the night, have to get to soundcheck... but talk this out with your road manager before you leave and plan the time to get quality sleep. You may need a sleep aid like melatonin, Sleepytime Tea or whatever healthy thing works for you. Talk to your doctor about a non-habit forming, safe sleep remedy recommendation.

5. Do Physical Workouts

15 – 30 min short workouts on gig days to warm and limber you up for performance and keep your core toned for singing. Do physical stretches to ease tension, and when short on time, try Tabata high intensity workouts. You can put a Tabata Timer app on your phone. Consider bringing workout DVDs and any physical workout bands, ropes, etc you could use in your hotel room or on a bus. If your budget allows, consider taking a personal trainer on the road with you.

6. Do Not Neglect To Do Vocal Warmups !

Also, after your longer gigs especially, take 10 min to cool down after your gig. This can make all the difference in how your voice feels the next day! What’s the difference in a vocal warmup and a cool down? A cool down is generally a shorter vocal exercise routine and incorporates more of your head voice register to ‘re-lift’ your voice, which in non-formal genre performance has been using more of your chest register.

7. Limit Talking

...and when you DO talk, pull your words. When with the public and signing autographs, do more listening and smiling than talking. If at all possible, try to schedule media interviews for AFTER your shows instead of before. Discuss this with your management or whoever schedules these things in advance.

8. Center Yourself

10 minutes before your gig, try to find a quiet corner and don’t interact with anyone. Just center yourself, mentally send your presence out to occupy the venue. Prepare yourself by imagining the first verse you’re about to sing on your first song. Ignore distractions like an Olympic athlete preparing to ‘bring it’.

9. Get Monitors Right

Make sure you have enough vocal level so you don't have to push those strong notes during performance.

10. Wear Both In-Ears

If you wear in-ear monitors (iem’s), wear BOTH, not just one, to save your hearing! Before performing with in-ears, try to schedule time to work with a sound engineer to get used to wearing them, and to know what to ask for in your monitor mix.

11. Do After-Show Snapshots

As you warm down, take a quick inventory... how does your voice feel? It should feel better than when you began the show. If not, try to figure out why. Remember that no matter where you are, can always schedule a vocal lesson or consultation with me on Zoom or in a phonecall. You can even warm up with me backstage or in your dressing room.

12. Have a BLAST!

You're taking care of your voice so you can ditch the worry!

Have other tips or strategies from your road singing experiences? Please share in the comments!

Successful Music Career Secrets - Vinnie Potestivo Interview

2023-04-13T00:48:00.000-05:00

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For this post, I interviewed Vinnie Potestivo - a man who has guided successful careeer strategies of not just stars of the music universe but also TV shows and major corporations. He himself has won an Emmy. He is extremely generous in sharing advice, behind-the-scenes stories and just general wisdom for creatives who want to grow (and protect) careers.

Video Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Vinnie Postivo
04:05 Vinnie takes us into his first stint at MTV... asking Whitney Houston a question.
04:39 Vinnie explains the mistake of saying 'let me know how I can help you' and what he said instead that started his successful career at MTV, as well as opening doors for others.
08:51 What used to be successful that's no longer working for music careers: Waiting. Why you shouldn't.
11:18 The bottleneck of music industry past that's been broken.
12:52 The importance of user experience now. Beyonce's career-making collaboration deals.
14:07 The importance of owning and combining your audience.
15:20 How Mandy Moore stepped into her own authority, and why that's important to be successful now.
16:44 How audio capability is changing things
18:56 AI and the ChatGPT factor.
20:25 An acting exercise I give my vocal students.
21:09 Why a music label deal now could be best negotiated as a joint venture.
23:07 The Presence factor's impact on an artist's career.
24:03 Stories from Vinnie's talent development work.
27:01 The SNL performance mistake that sabotaged Ashley Simpson's career.
30:21 The need for crisis training. Some funny examples from musical theater gone wrong.
39:50 How Vinnie is turning podcasting into shows.
40:08 How SMS marketing works for music careers, and the importance of fragmenting your email list.
44:30 Seth Godin insights we both find valuable for music artists.
45:57 Where to find Vinnie, his podcast and his service

More about Vinnie:

Vinnie Potestivo is an industry-leading talent and media development strategist widely known for launching celebrity brands & media properties that continue to influence modern pop culture. He is Founder of VPE, VPEtalent, the Verified Podcast Eschange and the Discovery to Downloads Mastermind.

With over 25 yrs experience, Vinnie and his teams have become well-trusted connectors who sell, develop, produce, launch, distribute and amplify talent brands such Mandy Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Simpson, Tyrese Gibson, Lauren Conrad, Diane von Furstenberg, , Danielle Fishel, Kristin Cavallari, Kelly Osbourne, TJ Lavin, journalists including SuChin Pak and the list goes on and on.

Formerly cofounder of MTV’s Talent Development & Original programming department, he has gone on to cast or produce original television series including reality TV shows like Punk’d, the Osbournes, The Challenge, Wild n Out, Real Housewives of New Jersey and many more. He’s worked with brands including Macy’s, Samsung, Nikon, MajorLeagueBaseball.

And...

If you enjoyed this interview, check out another post I did on this subject:

How to (Really) Make It In Music

Choose Your Vocal Genre Strategically! (Vocal Style for Your Goals)

2023-03-27T19:17:00.009-05:00

???Don't even let me get started on sub- and combined genres!!

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Prefer Video? Watch on Youtube:

Prefer to read? Here's the article:

Choosing the vocal style you should sing can be difficult if you are a new singer and have no idea what genre you should try. It's also difficult if you're a veteran singer who can sing just about any style you want, and are confused about what style is best for you. In this blogpost, I'm going to give you some help to make that choice strategically.

First, consider your vocal goals - what do you want to do with your voice?

1. Do you want to gain vocal skill, or to snap out of vocal boredom? Try singing songs in genres that are new to you.

When you get out of the comfort zone of singing styles you're familiar with, you can expand your voice's skill set in several ways, such as wider vocal range, new vocal licks and embellishments, more precision and control, different tone colors, phrasing choices and rhythmic feel.

Exploring styles you've never sung can help you see if you're missing another type of music you would love and could do well. Or you may find some new vocal stying you could integrate into the genre you normally sing, breathing more life, nuance and uniqueness into your singing.

2. Do you want to perform in situations that require you sing multiple genres well? Choose to get very good at singing all of the ones you'll need.

If you want to get work as a studio session or road tour singer, you don't want to limit yourself to one choice of genre. A nickname for this type of vocal career is 'stunt singer'. You could be hired to sing on many different styles of music, and with radically different kinds of singers. If this is your goal, the more genres you can sing well, the better. You might want to get some training and/or spend quality time listening to the masters of each genre you want to ace.

It can help to be able to cross genres if you want to compete in talent awards shows. They want you to show extreme vocal ability, often requiring a lot more showy technique than would be authentic for the normal genre of the song. Or a contestant could excel by beginning their performance in one genre and ending in quite another, such as when Christina Ramos began a stunning performance of a classical song and suddenly morphed into the rock classic 'Highway to Hell', getting her awarded the golden buzzer on Spain's Got Talent.

You might want to be known for extreme, genre-crossing vocal ability, such as the artist Pia Toscano who placed 10th in 2011 American idol. I saw her being featured in an Andrea Bocelli concert where she began with a stunning performance of the soulful 'I'm Feelin Good', then joined Bocelli for a beautiful classical duet.

You might want to be able to sing formal genres such as choir music or classical art songs, then be able to change musical languages and do popular genre songs.

You might just want to sing some great karaoke, where you can jump styles of songs and have a lot of fun impressing your audience!

I'd still recommend you learn to sing each genre skillfully, authentically and without strain.

3. Do you need to zero in on your artistic definition?

For the best chance of success, a music artist should launch their public career with a clearly defined musical style. This is a major part of what's known as artist branding. So if you're an artist, choosing a genre that best defines you becomes vitally important. Yes, an established artist can change or explore other genres and reinvent themselves successfully, but for new artists it's best to choose one main genre in which to create, perform, market and promote music.

Why?

Though music is not sold in nearly as many brick and morter physical stores, the digital stores and awards shows are sorted into separate categories of music. So in a practical sense, settling on one genre helps you find and develop a fanbase that will discover and support you with tickets, streams and votes!

When you're ready to drill down:

Again, don't rush the process. It may not take you long, or you could experiment with singing several styles of music for a couple of years. Then when you feel ready, sit in a quiet space where you can focus and ask yourself these questions. You might consider running these questions by a trusted advisor or coach who knows you well:

What does my voice love?
What does my heart love?
What do I want to learn?
What's commercial?

Let's dig into each one:

What does my voice love?

What style of music does your voice feel best singing? This includes such style factors as vocal licks, runs, scoops, rhythmic phrasing pocket, typical melodic complexity and vocal ranges of songs in the genre. Consider what is the most natural for your vocal ability, which includes "nature" (the size, density and other characteristics of your physical instrument) and "nurture" (the current level of vocal technique and stamina that you've developed).

What does my heart love?

When you sing or hear music that moves you, what genre or style is it? When something genuinely moves you, you can make a safe bet it will have a passionate audience who it would also move, and who could comprise your fanbase.

What do I want to learn?

What do I want to do with my voice that I don't know how to do now? Do I want to learn to sing classical music, authentically deliver folk or country, develop some r&b riffs, find the vocal control to sing jazz or bluegrass, learn to articulate differently for or from musical theater or gospel? Do I want to power my voice for rock or wide-range pop country songs, or experiment with the rhythmic pocket and rhymes of hip-hop?

What's commercial?

What kinds of music are selling? What is successful on radio and in venues I'd like to play? Where can music purchasing and ticket-buying audiences for a particular style be found? What groups of people am I already engaged with? What interests, sports or hobbies do I have that connect me with people who might be interested in my music or with organizations that hold events or sponsor entertainment?

Then combine these questions:

What genre is selling and has good fanbases that...
my voice can confidently sing or that I want to learn to confidently sing and...
that satisfies and moves my heart and delivers the messages I want to share.

This is the best way to pursue the business of music. Your priority is on the music, not the business; you let the music drive the business. To do this, don't over-think it. But don't limit yourself if all it would take to have the vocal ability for what your heart wants to sing and that people want to hear would be some training and experimentation. Take the time to do that!

Case Studies of genre-choice outliers:

Rejecting Genre Limitation: Eva Cassidy Story:

For a great example of music driving the business, discover the amazing story of Eva Cassidy. She chose not to limit the genres she sang; instead to perform the music that satisfied her own heart. In her case, no label would sign her because they couldn't define her. However, Eva had dedicated and passionate fans and the way she sang every song- her voice itself - became her artist brand. By all accounts from those who knew her, she was more than satisfied during her lifetime with her choice to keep her voice aligned with her heart. Then after cancer took her life, she became a music legend. Her music lives on in demo and live performances that have been sold in over 4 million albums and have been placed in many movie soundtracks. I would say she chose well!

Combining Genres: Julia Loewen Story:

If you look at the Wikapedia page for music genres, you'll see a virtual TON of catagories and subcatagories, and you'll notice that many are genre combinations. Julia Loewen's story illustrates this. Julia is a classical music teacher and vocalist in Eastern Canada whose CDs have been distributed in over 120 countries.. She shares a dramatic personal story of trauma and healing, and many years ago, she felt the need to expand her reach. She enlisted Kayla Morrison to help her with her dream, and Kayla contacted me. I suggested a cross-genre approach, combining her vocal skill, heart and messaging into a style we termed 'Celtic Christian Rock'. I cowrote the songs with Julia and Kayla and was honored to produce the album, using top session players in Nashville including Sam Levine who played authentic Celtic instruments. This inter-genre project, titled "Into The Light" successfully extended her audience for the messages she wanted to share, now including her ministry to prison inmates.

Crossing Genres: Songs that jump styles:

If you’re a songwriter, your dream scenario is for one of your songs to be successful in wildly different genres. For instance, the song “I Swear”, written by Frank Myers and Gary Baker, was a hit country single for John Michael Montgomery and also a hit pop/r&b single for the band ‘All-4-One’. The song written by Dolly Parton ,‘I Will Always Love You’, was a hit country single for Dolly and an R&B hit by Whitney Houston. The genre is determined by the singer’s vocal style and recording production choices. If you’re a singer, it can be a successful strategy to take a hit song and change its genre to fit your voice and your audience!

Shifting Genres: My Story:

Mastering genres and changing them drove the music business for me. As a child I learned to sing country, folk, and gospel with my amateur family band. As a teenager I added a love of rock and pop. At 17, I started session work at a local studio in Jacksonville, Florida. I also took a course in classical music in Jacksonville University, learning some Italian Art songs which became instrumental in recovering my voice from endotracheal tube damage. Continuing my studio singing in Memphis, Tennessee I found myself immersed in R&B music, which to this day is one of biggest influences on my voice. I also joined a top-40 cover band, singing songs of such diverse artists as Carol King, Karen Carpenter, Chaka Khan, Grace Slick, Tina Turner, the 5th Dimension and Brazil 66 singers. I also sang backgrounds for R&B artists at Hi Records, country artists at Lyn Lou Studio, and on black gospel music recorded in many small studios. Then I moved to Nashville, continued my session singing on records which included many traditional country stars, a few rock sessions and even some international pop sessions. It was important that I could sing just about any genre you put before me.

But then came the record deal and I had to drill down. My country artist career covered some songs that were considered progressive country at the time, flavored by all those other genres of my early career. After that season ended, I did another record, this time with my husband, that we catagorized as Americana. Full circle... that catagory allowed us to combine genres for the music that our hearts wanted to make!

Bottom line:

So as you see, strategically choosing your vocal genre to sing is both important and also something that may change over time. My advice is to start by deciding what you want and need to do with your voice. Once you zero in on that, then you can choose the musical genre or style that will help you reach your artistic goals. When your vocal goals change, your vocal genre choice can, too!

Need Help?

If you'd like some help getting your voice to do what your heart loves, hit me up for a vocal lesson or get a Power, Path & Performance vocal training course. I'd love to help you do it! Please leave me a comment... I'd love to know your thoughts!

Interview With Gena Thurston - PT For Voice

2023-01-16T00:01:00.007-06:00

Gena joined me from 'the room where it happens'

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Other than an anesthesiologist wielding an endotracheal tube, I’ve never let anyone touch my throat, inside OR out, until I met my guest today. Listen in to my interview with vocal tension’s worst foe: physical therapist Gena Thurston!

Things we talked about

Why a vocalist might want to work with a physical therapist
How Gena developed her unique, multifaceted approach to treating patients
How it was to work with the cast of Hamilton
Working with muscle tension dysphonia
The tricky subject of powering the voice from the pelvic floor without overdoing it
Back muscles, singing in heels (thanks for those questions, Mark Thress:)
Specific exercises she demonstrates on her Instagram feed
Why, when and how to book an appointment with Gena

About Gena

Gena Thurston is a PT (physical therapist), DPT (doctor of physical therapy), CIDN (certification in dry needling) professional who works with a unique mix of orthopedic manual therapy, myofascial release, dry needling, manual-resisted exercise, cupping and vocal massage.

She works with a wide variety of patients and ailments, but has a special interest in singers and musicians with vocal tension. Having worked extensively with Broadway singers including the cast of Hamilton, Nashville is very fortunate that she now practices as part of Steve Kravitz Physical Therapy.

Gena's links:

Website: https://stevekravitz.com/our-team/gena-thurston/
Instagram: @thevocalpt
Her mentor Walt Fritz's courses: https://www.treatingtmj.com/foundations-in-manual-therapy-voice-and-swallowing-disorders/

A Great Vocal Exercise For Smoothing Vocal Glitches

2022-12-06T01:06:00.006-06:00

Today's post is a VIDEO vocal exercise demonstration! Yes, it's on my podcast as well, but I thought you might like to watch this one if you can.

Quite often I find it's the weird vocal exercise that works the best. My colleague vocal coach Mark Thress shared this scale with me (thank you, Mark!) and I 'morphed it' beyond recognition into this vocal glitch fix. This is the exercise I talked about in my previous post 'How I Lost My Voice (So You Don't Have To)' I promised I'd demonstrate it and I finally got around to it.

Just be careful... correct form is everything in exercises and it's certainly true of this one. Please notice it's veeeeerrrrrrryyyy stretchy; if you don't take your time and do this in slow motion it won't do your voice nearly as much good.

Please leave a comment and let me know how you experience it! And of course, let me know if you'd like to book a lesson for personalized help. And if you know anyone else who you think could benefit, pass this on. Thank you!

Barbara Kite Interview - Acting Technique for Voices

2022-11-21T22:14:00.009-06:00

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Prefer video? Watch on Youtube.

This episode begins with my guest Barbara Kite taking me through a quick centering exercise (you can join us). Then this veteran acting coach generously shares some trade secrets from the world of acting that can help speakers, singers and even songwriters. It's a fascinating subject I've long been interested in, and I think you'll gain some insight that will help you in your next performance.

About Barbara Kite:

Barbara is a New York-trained actress and has worked as a professional actor, director and acting coach in Toronto, New York and Portland for over 30 years. She has helped speakers, actors, writers, film-makers, directors and singers to grow in their art and their life.

She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NY), receiving the Jehlinger Award in recognition of her work. She graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and received a scholarship to study in Poland at the Grotowski workshop as well as at the Film Institute in Lublin.

Her professional work includes over 300 movies, television series, soaps, commercials, industrials and voice-overs, and she has published a book called ‘Great Speakers Use Acting Skills’. She’s a member of National Speakers Association, SAG-AFTRA and the Canadian union ACTRA, and AEA (Actors' Equity Association.

Barbara's professional credits include:
All My Children, As the World Turns, So the Story Goes, Duplicates, Without Warning: Terror in the Towers, Praying Mantis, Under Suspicion and Nowhere Man. Theatre credits (New York and Toronto) include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Beau Strategem, Hay Fever, Round and Round the Garden, A Little Night Music, The Cat and the Canary, Icarus’s Mother and Trojan Women.

She collaborated with poet/playwright Victoria Sullivan as Co-artistic Director of the Women’s Production Company in New York City where she directed and acted in plays specifically written for and about women. As a speaking/presentation coach, Barbara works as a consultant for various firms as well as conducting private sessions in authentic communication.

Links mentioned:

Barbara's website, her coaching and her book "Great Speakers Use Acting Skills" https://barbarakite.com/
Her son Noah Kite and his 'chamber folk' music https://www.noahkite.com/

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Mat Kearney Interview - Making Pop Music Matter

2022-10-18T00:56:00.066-05:00

This chat with Mat was pure joy!

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or watch video version on YouTube

My guest today wasn’t a musician or songwriter in high school - he was a soccer player ! But in mid-college, he experienced a major paradigm shift in his life, stopped some pretty hard partying and started playing… guitar. Unable to play cover songs well, he began to write his own. That was 1.6 million albums sold and 2.5 billion streams ago. Woah…How did that happen? Listen up as I chat with the one and only Mat Kearney!

Things we talked about:

His early life as a skater, soccer player and making up songs to rap tracks
Experimenting with a friend's guitar, college with a major in literature
How that early life informed what would become his unique musical style
His first vocal lessons with me
The difference focusing on lyric-to-heart made in Mat's singing
The green sticker (that I couldn't find!)
How his style morphed from free style rap to folk/pop in a great pocket
The core job of an artist
A story of creating hit song 'Closer To Love'
The pressure of a hit career numbing out joy; rediscovering that joy in reconnecting to vocal
Streaming as a financial boon for the recordings he owns
His kids discovering his music lessons
Writing 'THE' song for Oregon; playing his hometown

Here's his video for"Closer To Love"

More About Mat

Mat Kearny was born in Eugene, Oregon. He went to California State University (Chico) on an athletic scholarship, but majored in literature. He traveled with his friend al debut album Bullet in 2004.. When Mat showed up at our first vocal lesson, he was a brilliant free-style rapper, writing hip-hop lyrics with healing messages informed by his journey and experiences along the way. But along with words and grooves, there were melodies in his mind, so he wanted to grow his ability to sing instead of just rap. And he was serious!

After a couple of years of vocal training, Mat was signed to a very rare dual deal… on both pop and Christian labels (InPop and Aware?). His first major label release was the album Nothing Left To Lose, which contained some re-worked songs from his debut album (still on repeat for me) ‘Bullet’. A single titled ‘Undeniable’… was at the time the fastest added single in the history of Christian Hit Radio.

VH1 kept ‘Nothing Left To Lose’ in rotation for 45 weeks, and he headlined the channel’s first ‘You Ought To Know’ tour.

Besides headlining tours of his own, Mat has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Keane Owl City, The Fray, Jason Mraz, Vedera Newsboys, MUTEMATH, Meiko, Cary Brothers, The Helio Sequence and many more. He has performed in uber major venues including Madison Square Garden and TV show stages including Letterman.

Now on his 6th studio album, Mat has become a multi-platinum selling artist and imho is one of the best live performers out there. His most recent release is the album ‘January Flowers’, his latest greatest co-production with his wife, is a brand new little human!

Mat’s Links:

Website: https://www.matkearney.com/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat_Kearney

Want help with YOUR voice?

Check out all the ways I can help you at my website. Be sure and download my (free) 9-page report on vocal health!
You can also comment on this blogpost... I'd love to know your questions and thoughts!

Raising and lowering the Larynx - should you? UPDATED 2022

2022-09-19T10:05:00.011-05:00

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How high or low should your larynx be when you sing? This question is steeped in controversy and misunderstanding. However, it's also vitally important. Get it too wrong and you'll have some big vocal problems.

The controversy

Voice teachers don't always agree on what's best. If I understand it correctly (and please note I am not an expert in this kind of training), the Speech Level Singing (or SLS) method of Seth Riggs teaches that you should always have your larynx at the same level that you speak. However, vocal coach Lisa Popiel suggests that there are times you would be correct to slightly raise or lower the larynx. She names 5 laryngeal positions, from #1 which is very raised to #5 which is very lowered.

She suggests that some rock singing and saucy musical theater tends to use a slightly more raised position (#2),
while classical, cabaret jazz and some R&B singing requires a slightly lowered position (#4).
She warns that no one should ever use positions #1 (very raised) or #5 (very lowered).

Vocal coach Molly Webb also advises a movable larynx, and discusses the possible origins of the 'stable larynx' training. Quoting her from her article:

The larynx does (and should) move when you sing, and not just for controversial techniques like belting. Even in classical singing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies have confirmed that the larynx gently rises up on the higher pitches, and depresses on the lower ones.

Here's what I recommend, from my experience with my and my clients' voices:

As long as you only raise or lower the larynx so that you don't feel your throat or experience strain or fatigue, what you're doing is fine. In fact, as a session singer (or stunt singer, as I call it), I have to do sometimes over-do this to blend with all kinds of voices and styles for recording. Changing the level of the larynx is a way to create more tone colors than usual. Various character roles in musical theater can require more unusual tone choices, too.

In fact, it's not just slight raising and lowering that we need to allow. To accomplish higher notes, the thyroid cartilage which comprises the largest part of the larynx needs to be free to tilt in your neck! Tension in and around the larynx from trying to keep the Adam's apple stationary can interfere with these movements. What's the Adam's apple you say? Officially named the larygeal prominence, it's the pointy front of the thyroid cartilage that sticks out as a bump right in the middle of the neck. It's very noticeable in a man but a woman has a small one, too. I like to call it 'Eve's apple'! The front end of the vocal cords are attached directly behind it.

However, and it's a great big 'however', you should not lower or raise your larynx to the point that you become aware of it. That will give you vocal problems. Most contemporary genre singing really should be in what Lisa Popiel would call #3, the middle position, with the larynx freely and comfortably floating and tilting in the throat.

What can you do if your Adam's apple and larynx are too stationary, not free to move?

Well, a real ninja trick that works here is to get your jaw dropping and moving more flexibly in a bit of a chewing circle. A freer jaw will let the base of your tongue relax so it relaxes its tense restriction on the movement of the hyoid bone, which is the top of your larynx. To paraphrase the old song 'the jawbone's (indirectly) connected to the hyoid bone...'

What can you do if you are raising or lowering your voice box (larynx) too much?

Learning to PULL instead of PUSH your voice, as taught in my Power, Path & Performance method, is the best way I've found to protect your delicate and precious vocal instrument, and will help you immensely. This pulling instead of pushing for sound, among other things, allows the larynx to determine it's best position with no outside interference. Also...

Here is a very effective exercise I adapted for my students from yet another great voice teacher, the late Jeannie Deva:

Lightly touch your adam's apple with the tips of your fingers. Feel for it in the middle of the front of your neck; and ladies it will just be a little bump. Again, this is where the vocal cords are attached at one end, inside the thyroid cartilage. Now, just let your fingers be "brain flashlights" and make a mental intention not to tense the area under your fingers as you sing. It's an amazing tactic when your larynx tries to lift for high notes. Notice how high notes, including higher middle voice notes, just float out almost effortlessly instead of strain!

For low notes, try this to keep your larynx from lowering too much: Stand tall and put your hand on your sternum and try to pull your voice from there. It will help your lower notes sound rich, not hooty, and will feel better, too. Don't bend over or down to get the notes. Be aware of the vibration and keep your chest open.

In conclusion: Go with what WORKS:

These are great voice teachers I've named in this post. It can get confusing, I know, when experts differ. All I can be sure of is what I've experienced that WORKS, and this should be your criteria, too. From my experience, I say mostly just keep your larynx happily floating, actually rocking a bit, in the center of your neck. Allowing it the freedom to move slightly lower or higher should give your voice a wider range without strain!

Want some incredibly effective vocal exercises to get this right? Either book a lesson with me or get one of my vocal training products, all of which include not only exercises, but how to do them.

Want to see more detail?

Here's a great video tutorial put out by AnatomyZone. For shortcuts, go to:

1:45 min for the hyoid bone.
4:45 min for the thyroid cartilage and the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple).

Douglas Smith Interview: Voltage Brothers to Mercy Club, Working Night Shift

2022-09-15T04:15:00.001-05:00

Doug Smith traded the limelight to be a flashlight in dark places. Listen in to this beautiful story...

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Things we talked about:

How we know each other from MTM Records
His teenage beginnings as member of the R&B band 'the Voltage Brothers'
Lessons learned from opening for Earth Wind and Fire and other experiences
How Doug (aka 'Truth') and Paul Scott (aka 'Pjaye')began focusing on record production and songwriting
Working at the top of the ladder with artists such as Millie Jackson, P Funk, Van Hunt, Nikka Costa and Prince.
His decision to quit and follow his new calling to the ministry.
His work with the homeless and solving food insecurities.
Coming to understand with total acceptance and joy that he 'works the night-shift'.
Creating a new musical venture called 'Mercy Club'.
What he has going on right now (lots!!)

More about Douglas A Smith

Doug was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He traveled the world as a performer before being called to the ministry. In 2012 he opened the doors to Grace Community Ministries whose purpose is to draw souls, cross multicultural lines, eliminate stigmas and form positive faith-inspired relationships. He lives in Rochester with his wife Cyndi and their young children.

Doug's Links:

Grace Community Mission Ministries: https://www.gcmmispeople.com/
Youtube ‘MercyClubVevo' - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX55Jtl5fx4d5HBvxQlkYlw
Mercy Club website - https://mercyclub.org/home (purchase music and leave a donation!)

Video for new single 'Don't Shoot':

An Artist's Job - by Salem Jones

2022-08-22T16:30:00.003-05:00

NOTE: The audio player should appear below, if not, please click on the title of this post and go online to hear.

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Salem Jones is one of the best female rock singers and songwriters on the planet. She is also my friend, and a few weeks ago she posted some really deep food for thought on her patreon page. I found it so relevant and relevant for the times right now that I asked her to share it for All Things Vocal, and I'm grateful she said yes. Listen to her voice it on the podcast, or read it below.

******************************

Guest post by Salem Jones:

An artist's job is many things, but at the deepest level, it's to balance. Sure, it's a calling to express and to draw awareness but ultimately the deepest goal is to balance. It's not to be "revered", to be "famous", to be "known", fawned over or wealthy. (That's "celebrity", a whole different animal.) As for being a rock artist, something that I've been my entire life...Rock is a thundering proclamation. It's the circus, a loud lightning-lit dance, an explosive spectacle, and there can be purpose in that. But we are living in a time when the world is quite the crashing spectacle itself, a cauldron of growing confusion & chaos, and an (rock)artist's job - the aforementioned deepest job that we have - is to attempt to balance that.

So now is not the time for screaming hardcore displays of death, fear, and destruction, or any attempts to break physical sound barriers with one's own perceived might. Now is the time to step into being a fulcrum and to find and listen to our inner silence. To let the heart guide us to whatever needs to come out in service. When the world is roaring with chaos, and we are present to being a balancing fulcrum, chances are the sounds that we will bring through will be atypical to what we have brought through in the past. Don't fear that.

Hear the sounds of the ego dissolving. Be vigilantly silent, ever still. Just be. Let the inner worlds speak to you - perhaps through you if they choose - as if your life depends on it. If service to the needed balance is to come through you, it will. Be present to it. For it. Be nothing so that you can be everything you came to be, whatever that is...

********************************

Find Salem and her band 'One Soul Thrust' at her Patreon Page - where you can support them!

Click here for our previous full interview.

Salem & One Soul Thrust new video: The Fight For Love

Consider joining in the discussion at All Things Vocal Facebook Group!

Chat with Roger Ryan - Storied Producer of Music for the Soul

2022-08-17T17:45:00.004-05:00

Roger Ryan's incredible career stories light up the room - and they're true!!

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Roger Ryan is an 8 time Grammy, Dove nominated, and Juno Award-winning producer with a ton of top-tier experience. His work as singer, songwriter, performer, arranger, producer and director has spanned a wide range of genres. Directing multiple choirs and small groups, his talents have taken him around the world; Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, the Fiji Islands, Vienna, Germany, Milan, the Ukraine, Hungary, the UK and Moscow and more.

More about Roger

First Music Director for Gospel diva, Cece Winans
Musician with country artist Wynonna Judd
He did arranging and production for Reverend Shirley Caesar (known as the Queen of Gospel)
Written and/or arranged music for various recording artists such as: Yolanda Adams, Alvin Slaughter, and others.
Was invited by actress Ashley Judd to play for her wedding in Scotland
Toured Europe as a vocalist with the acclaimed group Take 6
Did live performances with artist such as (Just to name a few): Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Michael W. Smith, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Earl Klugh, Kirk Whalum, Denise Williams, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Fred Hammond, Jackie Velasquez, Crystal Gale, Karen Clark Sheard, Anointed, Desmond Pringle, the Blue Notes.
Go to his about page and you’ll find a long list of his some of his work through the years from performing at the White House to arranging and Directing Duke Ellington’s Martin Luther King Celebration, featuring Della Reese.

In addition to all this, Roger has lent his considerable skills to local church ministries, like Minister of Music for Grace Pointe Church. He's a skilled music teacher and has conducted music and producer workshops in several cities. In the early 90’s he founded his production company, After Touch Music, which is where I met him as he and I were working with the same new artist. He is currently involved in numerous recording projects, creating ever more music for the soul.

Roger's Links:

https://www.rogerryan.net/
https://www.instagram.com/producerroger/

Prefer to watch? Here's the video of our interview:

And finally...
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Costly Speaking Voice Mistakes

2022-08-01T16:34:00.004-05:00

Watch the video

This lesson is also available as audio on All Things Vocal podcast.

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This blogpost contains one of the video lessons from my online video vocal training course ‘Speaking Voice Technique’. Watch it and you may identify some important changes you should make in the way you talk. Why change?

Speaking with great vocal technique can make all the difference in the sound and health of your voice, and in the responses you get to what you say. Speaking without good technique can cost you... vocal fatigue or strain (or loss), lack of listener attention, and can even affect the success of your job or career. And singers... your speaking voice can get you into more vocal trouble than singing! So check out this lesson 'Speaking Voice Mistakes', and see how you may be limiting or wearing out your voice when you talk.

You can get all 13 lessons at www.SpeakingVoiceTechnique.com.

HURRY: Do it by Friday and use the code LAUNCHSALE at checkout for 30% off!

Is Your Voice Valuable? A Van Gogh Perspective [updated]

2022-07-25T11:30:00.016-05:00

A snippet from my Van Gogh experience

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Have you ever worried about what other people think about your voice? In this post, I'm going to share a story from the life of Vincent Van Gogh that I hope will blow some fresh confidence under your wings. And, I'll share what I think what you have to do to earn your vocal worth, without depending on anyone else's opinion. Stay with me now...

The Van Gogh Immersive exhibit that I went to in Nashville recently was a sensory symphony. As I sat in the middle of the gorgeous soundtrack and the artists' priceless paintings projected in video movement onto walls, ceilings and floors, I was reminded that sometimes greatness in art is not recognized when the art is created. I had a #1 song as an artist that had been written 10 years prior to my cutting it. Many movies failed at the box office only to become wildly successful in syndication. For the sake of the creative heart, an artist - no matter what the art form - needs to understand the value of their creations, even when public validation is missing. Is this true for you?

Let me ask you some questions:

Have you ever wondered if your voice is valuable?
How do you make that determination?
Whose opinion about your voice influences yours?
Have you ever worried that you will never be successful with your music or speaking career?

Check your pulse; you're human. Most people who choose to work in any of the arts struggle with questions of validation. Encouragement, acknowledgment, attention, applause, approval - these are like sunlight to the vulnerable, creative spirit offering up what it just made for the sometimes cruel and/or ignorant contemporary opinion. We can control what we choose to create, but not how our creation will be received or perceived.

A chance encounter with a painting from Van Gogh gave me a perspective that I'd like to pass on to you.

I was visiting the house of my friend string player/arranger Kris Wilkinson several years ago with a young singer/songwriter I was vocal coaching and producing. We brought tracks to Kris to get her string magic on them, and when we entered her house we noticed a print of a painting of shoes by Vincent van Gogh on Kris's wall. As we studied it, Kris shared one interpretation of why he painted these oddly beautiful dilapidated old shoes. He lived with his brother and was too poor to afford a live model, so he used what he had on hand. Common objects like flowers and shoes were etched Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

into art history by his brilliantly creative hand, but mostly ignored by his contemporaries.

In his lifetime, Van Gogh's art was considered valueless - a commercial failure. Now, of course, those works are considered priceless. A singer named Eva Cassidy had a similar fate. During her lifetime, she sang cover songs in clubs and small auditoriums, and recorded them in a barter for dog-sitting services she offered the engineer. After she died from cancer, those recordings became a worldwide success. Her iconic renditions of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "Autumn Leaves" and other cover songs were internationally acclaimed and her "demos" chosen for soundtracks of several hit movies.

Back to my young artist. After hearing the story, she stared at the Shoes painting almost crying at the injustice that neither Van Gogh nor Cassidy knew the value of their work... because it touched her own insecurity. What if she, too, never experienced success with her music?

It occurred to me to see it a completely different way. What if, bravely listening to our own muse...

We CREATE something that we intuitively KNOW is good - a vocal, a song, a speech, a performance.
What if we SHARE our work with a small circle of accountability that could give us feedback to make it the best it can be in final form...
but we DON'T rely on popular opinion or current market forces to rate our work or determine the final form we settle on.
What if we don't whine at not being commercially successful, and instead that we commit to learning business promotion strategies to become visible and reach our ideal audiences?
What if we are willing to ACCEPT that we may never in our lifetime know the full value of our work.
What if we stop making it about numbers of fans? What if we ACCEPT that there is deep value in our work if it changes the life of even one person in some way for the better?
And finally: What if we TRUST that if we create something good the best we can, IT IS VALUABLE?

The value of music or any other art cannot be determined by the initial marketplace reaction to it. There are forces we can't control, including the ripple effect, the ears of the future, the compound effects and "luck" - creating the right thing at the right time for the right cultural moment in history.

The only thing we can do is to persistently choose to create something good, excellently. The voice only exists to deliver messages, so the voice being 'good' has to do with the power and importance of the message it carries. The Grammys, CMAs, Doves, record deals and standing ovations for speeches are gravy, ironically most often awarded to artists who don't limit the originality of their work to that which would win a talent competition. But as far as the intrinsic value of your work... bravely create your best. If you want to make it commercially successful, market and promote it with due diligence (see my 3-part series about What Record Labels Want, Steps To Attracting Label Interest and Creating Fanbases ). But no matter what the financial rewards or critical acclaim garnered, trust that your good work created excellently is a priceless part of the music of the spheres.

Oh, and yes... my young artist now makes a good living as an award-winning performer and teacher.

I hope this post has given you food for thought, and maybe even some inspiration to dig a little deeper in your own creative well. I'd love to hear what stories YOU have that came to mind as you listened today. This podcast now has a Facebook Group where we can discuss All Things Vocal! Join us and share your insights. I believe it takes a village to be a voice that matters!

HEADS-UP - NEW TRAINING COURSE: Want a better speaking voice for the messages you want to deliver? I have a brand new online video training course for speakers... go to www.SpeakingVoiceTechnique.com and enroll today!

Here's a site to explore more of the art of Vincent Van Gogh

Here is a PBS story about the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit

The Vocal Benefits of Practicing Character Voices

2022-06-21T06:30:00.003-05:00

Sounding crazy as this guy looks in vocal exercises? GOOD!

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There are some very strange vocal exercises that work wonders for the voice. In fact, if someone hears you doing these, they might wonder if you've gone a little nuts! Not to worry... that's a sign you're probably doing them right.

Some of the funniest and very effective exercises I teach involve doing character voices. I find cartoon voices especially beneficial! Before we get into them, let's explore the how and the why.

How do we sound like someone else?

First of all, you have to know that we learn to make vocal sounds by listening to other voices. The vocal apparatus actually tries to configure itself to match the sounds of the voice it's listening to, for the purpose of being able to communicate well with the other person. That's how we learn language and songs in the first place, and why people in the same family tend to sound more alike. From the article titled "Are You A Good Mimic" in Frontiers in Psychology,

Vocal imitation provides a basis for acquisition of both languages and musical systems.

The article also shares research that suggests there is some phonological filtering called 'interference' that makes it difficult to change the vocal choices and habits from our 'mother tongue' or dialect. However, we can ALL change our voices by making conscious choices to change the way we normally move parts of our vocal apparatus and configure our throat channels.

Secondly, it's important to understand the difference between mimicking and imitating another voice. Award-winning voiceover artist Victoria DeAnda has an article where she explains that mimicking is just repeating what someone else says or sings, while imitating is repeating it the WAY the other voice talks or sings.

For the purposes of the vocal exercises I'm teaching you here, we want to IMITATE another voice, not just mimic it.

Why should you do exercises in character voices?

If you need to sound like someone else to do a sound-alike voiceover, to play a role in a production, or to authentically learn another language, you really have to dig into exactly how the voice you want to imitate is doing it. There is a great video on some specific movements to investigate called 'voice breakdown' from New York Vocal Coaching's speech coach (the good stuff starts at 2:06).

But for my purposes, I train voices to speak and sing from the fully optimized, warmed up and flexible vocal apparatus. So I use character voices to help expand the voice and give it options before that voice's authentic performance. I use at least 3 specific characters to open and tighten parts of the throat channel to limber everything up, expand & contract spaces, and smooth transitions... it's kind of like kneading bread dough.

OK, let's do some!

Let's choose our text. Speakers, just decide on a few lines of speech. You might even use a poem or lyric. Singers, choose a portion of a song. Notice that changing the way you move your eyes (raising or lowering an eyebrow), jaw (dropping, tightening, making a chewing motion), hands, and arms can help alter your sound. We literally call this facial and body language!

I'll start with a very short demonstration for speakers using this weird phrase:

'In a distant galaxy, somewhere over the rainbow, way up high and far, far away.'

1. First just say it in your normal voice, noting how your voice feels and sounds.

2. Secondly, while sounding hooty, low, and dark, in a voice like Smoky the Bear, Cookie Monster or Bullwinkle.

3. Third, say that phrase sounding like a munchkin, chipmunk, or like you've been breathing helium (NOT recommended, btw).

4. Now go back and try to speak in the middle of those opposite tones, which will be more like your normal voice. Doesn't your voice feel good and sound a little more agile and interesting than the first time you said it?

Singers, do the same thing but pair the words with a melody.

For example, let's use

'you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey'.

1. First, sing it normally.

2. Second, sing it with a hooty tone like Smoky the Bear, Cookie Monster, or Bullwinkle

3. Third, sing it as if the treble is all the way up, like a munchkin or chipmunk.

4. And fourth, sing it with a tone that's in the middle of those voices, which should be close to your normal voice.

When you sing it that last time, does your voice feel easier and stretchier and sound more open, resonant, and interesting?

Now get creative!

Use any voice you can think of; try sounding like a chicken, a robot, a character from a movie like Ice Age or the Secret Life of Pets, or an alien in Star Wars or Men in Black. Try sounding like a kid or elder very different in age than you, try over-using a different accent or dialect than your normal one.

You can do this with any text or song. The results should not only warm your voice up nicely but also give you more vocal control and resonance. If you try this, do let me know how it works for you! Leave a comment here, or join the All Things Vocal Facebook group and comment there.

Also (if you haven't already) - signup for my 5-page report on vocal health, to protect your instrument so you CAN work on it with vocal exercises like this! You'll also get updates on new All Things Vocal posts, with free vocal training that can make all the difference.

How I Lost My Voice (So You Don't Have To!)

2022-06-06T17:08:00.005-05:00

Me, Jennifer O'Brien and Gary Pigg on the third day of our 40 song bgv marathon:

Notice the jacket I'm wearing:)

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If you follow me or have taken a vocal lesson from me, you know that I specialize in preventing and getting rid of vocal strain or fatigue from overuse in singers and speakers. I believe (and still do) that we can use our voices as long as we want and not have vocal strain - IF and ONLY IF - we prepare ourselves and our voices for the performance we're about to do. OK now about that 'if'...

Recently I had a serious reality (humility) check when I sang 40 background vocals in 4 days without practicing what I preach - and temporarily lost my voice!

Here's my cautionary story:

I was hired to be group leader/contractor, arranger, and singer on 40 background vocals in 4 consecutive days. I called Jennifer O'Brien and Gary Pigg who are veteran studio session singing friends of mine that sing with me like a well-oiled machine. I was extremely busy in the days before these sessions with producing the artist's lead vocals on those 40 songs, preparing the AFTRA contracts, printing out multiple copies of all lyrics, canceling all my vocal lessons for a couple of weeks and joining my session buddies doing Covid tests the night before our sessions started. First day went well, but long story short, at the end of the second day I started feeling a dreaded hot, scratchy feeling in my throat and the even more dreaded signs of vocal issues. I was losing my voice! It looked like I might be unable to sing the last 2 days!

Factors that led up to my vocal problems:

The allergy levels in Nashville were up. Focusing on the arrangements and on singing with pitch accuracy, I began having to deal with an unusual level of phlegm in my voice. Without thinking I started clearing my throat too hard between recording takes. I got by with it the first day, but not the second.

The studio was cold and I didn't bring a jacket! I know to ALWAYS bring layers so I can wear what I need to based on the conditions in the vocal booth!

I didn't bring pineapple juice!! I only had water - which is important but not nearly as soothing to the throat as that juice.

Unbelievably, (I am so embarrassed to admit this) I didn't warm my voice up! I was too busy with everything else and I guess my lizard brain's hubris was telling me I do exercises all the time, I would have no problems skipping them!

I went from zero to 90. I hadn't sung full voice for 6 hours straight in a long time! Now I had to do that 4 days in a row. WARNING: No matter how many vocal exercises you do, the voice is not able to suddenly perform full voice much longer and harder than it has been without experiencing negative consequences.

This may surprise you (click to tweet):

The function and value of vocal exercise is not primarily to develop vocal stamina.

Instead, good vocal exercises train and habituate excellent vocal technique.

Singing songs full voice with excellent technique is what develops vocal stamina.

You need both kinds of voice work - the exercises and the full voice performance. You should sing full voice at least 4 days before doing something important that you haven't been doing with your voice. This advice is in contrast to those who think vocal exercises should push the voice to fatigue or strain in order to strengthen the voice and be effective. But from my experience and that of my students: If your voice doesn't feel BETTER after doing vocal exercises, they are useless - and can even be harmful.

OK back to my story: I deserved the vocal strain. I absolutely did. I know better!

Here's how I was able to get my voice back and finish this vocal marathon:

First of all, towards the latter part of the session when I did notice my throat irritation and my voice going south, I started doing two things:

talking as little and as lightly as possible and
'lifting my voice above the lava' as I sang. I used my pulling technique, very consciously dropping my jaw, using my eyes, and lifting my soft palate to avoid pushing my voice through phlegm. Doing these two things and drinking enough water, I was able to finish out the backgrounds for that second day.

Next, as soon as I got home I used the kitchen sink approach - I did everything I could to fight any possible infection trying to take opportunistic hold in my swollen throat tissues. Please note that everyone's different. It's important to experiment (with a doctor's ok) with different immune strengthening, pathogen-fighting strategies to see what works best for you. Also, please check your pulse... you're human; sometimes nothing works, and you and I will have to get sick and heal. But my strategy included the following:

drinking a potent 'flu tonic' made by my sister Pam, drinking alkalizing buffered vitamin C with some colloidal silver added,

taking a quercetin formulation,

gargling with hydrogen peroxide, plus gargling with salt water

taking a hot epsom salts bath to alkalize, detoxify and raise my temperature to an artificial fever. I bundled up and sweated it out as I drifted off to sleep, first saying a prayer that I didn't have covid or a blown vocal cord!

WARNING:

Do NOT soak in a hot bath if you have circulatory system issues or could be pregnant. In fact, run any prevention protocol you consider using by your doctor to make sure it's safe for you.

If you suspect covid, get a test - and if positive, get to a doctor!

The next morning before leaving for the session, I drank my lemon juice and protein smoothie, took another warm bath, deeply breathing in the steam. Then I took some time to seriously warm my voice up with some careful, targeted vocal exercises, including a new one based on a scale my fellow coach Mark Thress had shared with me. At first, I had some glitches in my range, and using this new exercise with morphy slo-mo vowel modification I was able to stretch and smooth those areas out. I'm now using it with students who need more flexibility and help with vocal glitches, and it's really working! Here's a video demonstration I did for you.

So even this scary situation came with a silver lining. Oh, the research I do for you guys! I also worked my head voice up slowly and did staccato scales throughout my vocal range to pump interstitial fluid out of my puffy morning vocal folds.

I brought my jacket and had 2 six-packs of pineapple juice at the studio waiting for me and the other singers. All day long I limited my speaking, kept drinking the diluted pineapple juice, and used excellent vocal technique, lifting up and pulling notes into place as if from the sky.

Bottom line - IT WORKED!

Thankfully, my voice not only worked, it got better as that third day went on! My tone blended well and I had no vocal issues. The fourth day my voice felt pretty much like normal - and I found fresh faith in vocal techniques and strategies that work for serious performance. More importantly, our producer Paul Thomas and engineer Joe Carroll were thrilled with the results of our background vocals! I resolved to swallow my pride and share this as a cautionary tale with you:)

All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast by Judy Rodman

12 Vocal Resolutions To Rock the New Year -Updated

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1. Resolve to assess the state of your voice.

2. Resolve to do something about your weakest vocal area.

3. Resolve to warm up and warm down your voice

4. Resolve to address your speaking voice.

5. Resolve to get out of your comfort zone.

6. Resolve to improve something you already do well.

7. Resolve to study some masters of your genre.

8. Resolve to set goals for your vocal performances.

9. Resolve to have and nourish a small circle of trusted friends.

10. Resolve to take better care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually

11. Resolve to sing fearlessly.

12. Resolve to be a better listener.

Need help?

Gift Suggestions for Singers, Songwriters, Speakers and Musicians UPDATED 2023

$25 or less...

$26 - $65

$65 - $300

$300 and up

Gifts of Your time/expertise -

Or...get creative. Give to a charity in your loved one's name, buy them a star, make a memory spending some time together in person or online, or volunteering for charity service!

My Voice's Gratitude List - updated 2023

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Finding that creativity has no age limit

Knowing that vocal damage can completely heal

Discovering that brick walls are just turning points, and that with time, sadness passes.

Not having grown up with auto tune

Conversations with other curious, caring vocal coaches

Great voices and music creators

My vocal coach, Gerald Arthur

The gift of insight and intuition.

Every vocal student I've ever had

My husband John and our son Peter

Listeners

Friendship, trust, inspiration, and support

Pineapple juice

The transpose button

YOU

JP & Kat-Raio Rende Interview (Part 2): Chipmunks to Charts

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Things We Discussed in Part 2

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JP & Kat-Raio Rende Interview (Part 1): Creating Emmy-Winning Music

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About JP and Kathryn Rende:

Things We Discussed in Part 1

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Personal Branding for Music Artists - Megan Gersch Interview

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Things We Discussed

About Megan Gersch

What do YOU need?

Metamorphosis of Runaway Home - a New Musical

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Our story:

A New Approach To Manual Therapy for Voice: Walt Fritz Interview

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More about Walt:

LINKS:

YOUR TURN:

Vocal Strain: 18 Causes and Fixes for Your Tired Voice

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Here are some of the signs of vocal strain

...even if you have just one of these, your voice gets tired when it doesn't have to:

So, is vocal strain inevitable? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Can it be conquered? In my experience as singer and coach... ABSOLUTELY YES!

Here are the top 17 causes of vocal strain I see in singers and speakers, and some strategies for turning the tide back towards vocal health:

Bottom line: If you need help with vocal strain, please do reach out and do something about it! If you suspect vocal damage or illness, please consult a medical professional first to rule out anything that requires medical intervention.

So what about you:

Singers & Musicians: Get Fit, Not Hurt! (Angela McCuiston Interview)

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