My latest singing tips video offers a super helpful tip for learning and teaching yourself how to sing - and it's all about harnessing the power of VISUAL CUES and "face shapes."
Singing can be super confusing if you think of it as an infinite number of sounds and possibilities. But if, instead, you memorize (1) where you feel the sound in your face, (2) and what that shape "looks like" to you in your mind, you'll start to internalize and memorize technique MUCH MUCH FASTER!
It also gives you an excuse to watch tons of YouTube videos of singers performing - oftentimes the way their faces LOOK can give you valuable clues about their singing technique and how they're creating their singer sound.
Friends! This week I'm bringing you THREE new singing videos!
1. The first is my first-ever cover... :)
I's pretty close to the original in terms of arrangement. In case you don't know my channel, most weeks on YouTube I give you guys singing tips videos and how-to sing lessons, but a bunch of my subscribers and buddies kept suggesting I sing a song the whole way through... so I recorded this one!
2. This video is bundled with 2 other related videos. The second is a HOW TO guide for how to sing "Love Me Like You Do!"
This video recommends vowel and lyric modifications that help you place the sound, as well as focus your head voice and voice in general to maximize resonance. Altering the lyrics with new vowels, consonants, and phrases will help your wrap your mouth around the sounds. I'll also address breathiness and how to do it healthily, using the false vocal folds.
When it comes to singing and creating a signature sound, you don't manipulate the cord, you manipulate the resonant space in your face and mouth.
And for video 3....
3. Now you can sing along to the song! I've made a karaoke track with singer-friendly lyrics (also pasted below). Enjoy!
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding alternate lyrics for singers by Felicia Ricci
SOH LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO TUH TUH TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO OO WAHDUH YOOWEHDIN FOH(R)
LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO TUH TUH TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO OO WAHDUH YOOWEHDIHNFOH-AH
LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO TUH TUH TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO OO WAHDUH YOOWEHDIHNFOH-AW
LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO TUH TUH TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO OO WAHDUH YOOWEHDIHNFOH-AH
LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO LA LA LUB MEELAIK YUHDOO TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO TUH TUH TUSHMEE LAIK YUHDOO OO WAHDUH YOOWEHDIHNFOH-AH
Hi singer buds!! The song "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj is everywhere right now - and for good reason. It's SUCH a cool song, featuring impressive vocals from these three women.
Hi singer friends!! I've just finished my latest singing tips video, this time breaking down "Chandelier" by Sia! It's a super cool song that got requested by lots of you on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and this blog. When it comes to singing and creating a signature sound (like Sia), you don't manipulate the cord, you manipulate the resonant space in your face and mouth. Please watch and let me know what you think! Was this helpful? Which parts of the song give you the most trouble? Which songs / singer styles would you like me to break down next? Thanks, as always, for watching! Love, Fel
The other day, while singing along to "Dark Horse" in the car, which I do constantly, (I'm obsessed) I realized I wanted to know exactly what Katy Perry does to sound so distinctive and awesome. So I decided to listen to some of her most popular tracks (over...and over...and over...) and figure out exactly what she does, from a technical standpoint, when she delivers a song. The video below -- "How to Sing Like Katy Perry" -- is perfect for singers who are hoping to emulate elements of her signature style, or use her vocal choices as a jumping off point (or if you just want to straight-up copy her...!).
Not gonna lie... I'm super excited about this video.
Katy Perry is obviously a hugely popular and successful singer-songwriter with legions of fans and tons of hits. But she's also an impressive vocal technician who has developed a rich, interesting, and distinctive sound.
After I finished editing the video, I realized that it also helped convey not just Katy Perry's artistic choices, but the wide range of technical choices available to artists who are developing their tone and style. The video just scratches the surface, but it gives you a bit of insight into the kinds of detailed vocal work that solo artists put into creating a signature sound that separates them from the rest of the world.
What?? Two new singing tips video in one week?? I've gone insane!
This new video answers a question I get a lot:
"Felicia. What can I do to improve my singing technique, right now?"
Some of you may think the answer is "nothing," but that's actually not true. Of course, anything worth achieving takes lots of practice, and this is certainly true of singing. But there are a few things you can do -- right now -- to enhance your sound and improve your singing technique immediately.
Check out the video below for my best 3 tips for making big singing strides -- today!
