I've been taught by a professional singer and the first thing I learned was Posture (how to stand). It felt weird being mocked on how I was standing, as I've been doing this my whole life (aside from the baby years). Being a guitarist, I tend to slant to one side when I play. I never realised how bad this was until she moved me and said "Now you're standing straight" Posture is so important, it may sound weird, but you need to make sure you're straight (align yourself in the mirror) make sure you're not raising your head too high or too low (this puts a strain on the voice and with time can damage your voice box) It feels weird at first, but make sure you do it! NOTE: Do this EVERYDAY for at least half an hour. You'll notice the change. There were some comments from some people saying should I strain my voice or not? Some were saying this is the only way to get better with those notes you can't hold properly... WRONG!! - DO NOT strain your voice. Many people have done this and lose their voice at such a young age. The first thing people do when starting to sing is singing with the throat instead of their lungs. Here are musical examples to explain the difference... Throat Singing... Diaphragm Singing... As you can hear, there is quite a difference. Singing with your throat puts a huge strain on your vocals and can sometimes cause it to hurt the next morning. To achieve stronger vocals and longer lasting notes - it's extremely important to sing with your lungs. So to achieve that the next thing to work on is breathing techniques. The key is to use your diaphragm (the bottom of your lungs) and your stomach. When you breathe in, push your stomach out, when you breathe out, push your stomach in. Now, on to the main practice of breathing... Breathe in through your nose for about five seconds, and breathe out for ten. If that's easy for you (or when it becomes easy for you) add five more seconds and five more and so on. The power in singing is your lungs. I can't say how important it is, so just believe me. Practice this before you start singing. Then, practice repeated stuff; arpeggios, scales, octaves. This may get boring doing this everyday, but this is exactly what helps get your voice louder, stronger, and you'll be able to reach those difficult notes the more you practice. (Of course, each human being has a limited vocal range they can sing to, so make sure you know your limits to your vocal range) ...soprano, alto, etc. Make sure to do a warm up before you go right into singing songs. This really is vital if you plan to sing. NOTE: While doing this, it's helpful to have an instrument with you- keyboard would be the best. But its up to you. If you want people to understand you (depending on how you sing, of course), practice pronunciation. Sing things like; “Fluffy Puppy” - So start saying these two words with let's say the note "C", and each syllable, you sing C. Then, go up and down the keyboard and vocal range saying that. An Octave is how I do it, and then start again by playing the note next to the one you started with and go to that note's octave. “Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry, Red Lolly, Yellow Lolly” - With this, each syllable you pronounce, jump an octave. Or jump fifths, thirds, whatever. Experiment. This may get boring and may be embarrassing but it helps strengthen the muscles in the mouth. Another thing you should all know about is the basic A, E, I, O, U. So for this, sing arpeggios and wtih each one you pronounce it A = ahhh e.g. use notes: C, E, G, B, C, (back down) B, G, E, C E= eeee, I= (eye) O= ooohhh U= oooo This will also help your mouth pronunciation, ontop of your vocal practice. Feel free to ask if you're struggling with things. ------------------------------- Also, check out my music listed on Sound Cloud (link below) if you like it follow me on facebook! :) JazzMaverick on Sound Cloud JazzMaverick Music Page
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09.21.2008
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09.22.2008 ![]() Yep. It screws up the throat and also puts that crap in your lungs, which prevents you from having that natural deep breat. It also stops your voice from being as powerful because of that.
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09.24.2008 ![]() Thanks for posting this Jazz, I'm silly enough to sing lying down in my bed when I forget to practice! I won't be doing that anymore let me tell you!
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09.24.2008 ![]() Ah, by all means try it. I've heard singing on your back can be very useful. It opens up your lungs and allows them to get more air in their lings. I've heard that a fair few famous people do it too. Just remember to be straight. :D
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09.24.2008 ![]() Very nice technique tips, thanks...even tho I think ive lost my voice long time ago :D.
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09.25.2008 ![]() Thanks alot Jazz! I've improved alot this month, but this really did help, my voice sounds better then ever. THANK YOU!
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09.25.2008 ![]() jazz...... hey. thats interesting, i think everyone here would prefer to sing well, than to be in the middle of the crowd...
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09.26.2008 ![]() I'm glad it's helped you all. There's never any point in keeping anything to yourself. Everyone deserves a chance.
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03.26.2009 ![]() "Just remember to be straight. :D" - JazzMaverick
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03.26.2009
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03.27.2009 ![]() Then smoke and you'll find out. But naturally you won't be able to take back what you've done.
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03.27.2009
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04.27.2009 ![]() Question: Do drinks affect your voice? like if one was to drink water or soda for that matter before singing?
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04.27.2009 ![]() you should drink when you sing, it keeps your throat from getting dry and sore. theres probably other effects as well
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04.27.2009 ![]() Totally depends on what drink though! I'd always recommend drinking water instead of soda. Besides, fizzy drinks aren't even good for you! (Even though they're amazing.)
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04.27.2009
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06.27.2009 ![]() I realy would like to sing better but i don't understand very much of this lesson though.
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06.28.2009 ![]() You're going to have to start from scratch if you don't know what arpeggios and scales are. Look at my other lessons, like Music Theory Grade 1, and the Arpeggios lessons I've posted.
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05.24.2010 ![]() "When you breathe in, push your stomach out, when you breathe out, push your stomach in."
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05.24.2010 ![]() No, that's how it should be. :) Just do EXACTLY what it says.
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05.24.2010 ![]() Alright then. Thank you.
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05.24.2010 ![]() It seriously helps man... keep it up - it should become second memory soon enough.
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06.07.2011 ![]() Is it possible for people who can't sing to learn how to sing by practising stuff like this?
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06.07.2011 ![]() You can sing, or speak in a singsongy way. Pretend, pretend pretend. Pretend you're Michael Jackson or John Wayne.
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06.10.2011
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06.12.2011 ![]() Devilchild - yeah dude :)
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06.12.2011
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06.13.2011 ![]() @JazzMaverick
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07.29.2011 ![]() I already commented on this ages ago - but I'm doing it again :) Any lurkers out there who aren't sure about doing these excercises - DO THEM! I gotta admit I've been home alone today, even nervous to sing around family. But as soon as I tried 'Fluffy puppy' in particular there was already great improvment! (I know that's fast but really I was a flat dull singer). And I did that for a while plus kept improving with all the other ones & when my family come home in the morning I think I may even just sing at them cuz I gots new confidence already lol :D Do it people, you'll miss out if you don't :-)
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07.30.2011 ![]() haha Thanks! :D Glad you like it!
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07.30.2011 ![]() Oh yey I have a usb mic and audacity! :-) I shall experiment with that. Thanks again Jazz, I really do feel better about myself for improving so rapidly :D
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09.09.2011
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09.09.2011 ![]() These are the average ranges :)
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09.09.2011
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09.10.2011
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03.20.2012 ![]() I strongly recommend people who want to learn to song is to articulate the Solfeggio and start off with movable do. |