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.
Hi there! Today's singing tips video is all about memorizing songs and lines! Memorization is a key skill in the music, theater, and entertainment industries, but not many singers often discuss their strategies for memorizing.
Since I am pretty horrendous when it comes to learning lyrics and lines, I thought I would let you in on the top methods that help me learn new material.
I'm not an expert on this topic of memorization, but these methods have worked well for me -- and I hope they'll help you, too!
Let me know what you think of these techniques - try them out, and report back - and please share with any friends you know who have had trouble memorizing songs or lines in the past.
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.
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
I lost my voice this week, so I decided to post a "Strategy" lesson from Singing Transformation 2.0, my elite singing training program, since it's an interesting topic that I think you'll find helpful!!
This video answers a question I get a lot which is -- "How can I tell if I'm singing something 'right'?" Lots of singers are worried about "correct singing" and frequently feel somewhat lost when practicing alone.
The video outlines three principles, which are:
1) Singing should never feel PUSHED, FIXED, or FROZEN, or like it hurts,
2) You can always use audio and visual feedback to gauge your sound and technique (i.e. record yourself, and look in the mirror!)
and, third (and most importantly)...
3) Learn to trust yourself and embrace being self taught!
Let me know what you think of this topic... I'll be back soon with a new song breakdown video!
