My newest singing tips video gives you 3 suggestions (+ 1 bonus tip) for how to relax your tongue and get it to stay neutral while you're singing!
Two ways to gauge tongue tension are:
(1) how your voice sounds (do you sound like Kermit the Frog?)
(2) How your throat or neck feels (dull pains along your jaw or at the top of your voice box).
If you have tongue tension or a tense tongue, fear not! 3 easy triggers to get your tongue to chill include:
(1) Thinking "UH" while you sing
(2) Pretending you're drunk (not kidding)
(3) Practicing a "conversational" version of your song or warmup
And as a bonus tip? Don't make an enemy out of your tongue! As a singer, it does more harm than good to be stressed out about the body part that's causing you tension. Instead, think positively about your tongue, remember that it's just trying to help, and eventually it will learn to back off and stay out of the equation.
My latest singing tips video breaks down and teaches you how to sing "Somebody to Love" by Queen! Trying to sing like Freddie Mercury can at first seem like an epic challenge, but it's my job to help you break it down and find some easy, effective strategies for approaching this song.
In this video you'll learn:
(1) How to break down the song "Somebody to Love" in stages so it's easier to sing
(2) Some key vowel and lyric modifications that are going to help you sing higher without tensing or cutting off the sound
(3) Tips for getting your head voice to be stronger, louder, more focused and powerful
(4) Tips for contrasting that head voice with a full, impressive belt sound, since belting is perfect for rock singing (like Queen)
I hope you enjoy this video! Let me know how your practice goes, or if you find these tips helpful.
This video is a sick-singer's guide to staying healthy when you're not feeling 100%. How much should you practice (or not practice) while you're sick, and how can you tell if it's the type of sickness that can support some gentle warmups?
This video is all about sick singing and how to avoid making the mistake of over singing when your sinuses are blocked or your throat isn't cooperating.
Lots of you have asked me, what's the best way to sing with a sore throat?
Unfortunately, the answer is....don't. Singing with a sore throat is a definite no-no.
Phlegm, a blocked sinus, and other symptoms have a bit more grey area, which I'll explain in the video.
And when you're bed ridden or feeling sick and you want to still practice your singing, the best way to stay in touch is to do some simple breath exercises or lip trills.
I hope this video is helpful! Don't get down on yourself when you're sick. The best thing you can do as a singer is not to attempt strained or uncomfortable "sick singing," but to let your sickness run its course.
