Singing Tips for IF-SRGMP contestants

A = Airflow. Never hold your breath while singing. The airflow is what creates and carries your vocal tone, so keep it flowing. Avoid Clavicular Breathing and Belly Breathing -- instead, learn the proper way to breathe for singing, called diaphragmatic breathing. Fill the lower portion of your lungs as if you had an inner tube around your waist that you were evenly filling.Free Singing Tip A.

B = Breathing properly for singing requires the shoulders to remain down and relaxed, not rise with the breath intake. A singer will gain power to their voice by strengthening the muscles in their ribcage and back. Free Singing Tip B

C = Communicate the music's message. During performance it is very important to communicate the message of the song. If you make a "mistake" don't point it out to your audience. It is most likely they did not even notice. Free Singing Tip C

D = Diaphragmatic Support. Develop the strength and coordination of the diaphragm and become a pro at controlling the speed of the airflow released, the quantity of the airflow released and the consistency of the airflow released.

E = Elasticity of the Vocal Folds. The vocal tone is created as airflow bursts through the cleft of the vocal cords causing them to vibrate/oscillate. The vocal folds can lose elasticity due to misuse, lack of use and/or increase of age. Be sure to train your voice with vocal exercises on a regular basis to keep your voice in shape. Free Singing Tip E

G = Guessing Games. Never guess the pitch you are about to sing. Hear the note in your head before you open your mouth. Free Singing Tip G

H = High notes require consistent and steady airflow. Many students tend to hold their breath as they sing higher. Let the air flow. Try increasing your airflow and gauge your result. Free Singing Tip H

I = Increase your breathing capacity and control by doing breathing exercises every day. Be sure to avoid patterned breathing. Singers must negotiate phrase lengths of all different sizes, so it is important to be versatile. Free Singing Tip I

J = Jumping Jacks. If you are having trouble getting your body completely involved with singing, try doing some cardiovascular activities, like jumping jacks, for a few minutes before getting started again. Sometimes your instrument simply needs an airflow wake-up call. Free Singing Tip J

K = Know your limits. Don't sing too high or too low. Don't sing to the point of vocal fatigue. Never strain or push your voice. Doing so will not result in a higher or lower singing range, or a stronger voice, only a voice that has suffered undue stress. Free Singing Tip K

L = Low notes are often sung with too much airflow. Try decreasing your airflow to achieve a more natural, more relaxed tone.Free Singing Tip L

M = Mirror. Training in front of a mirror can help a singer discover many things about their instrument, as well as confirm that other actions are being done correctly. Be sure to rely on a mirror during vocal training, but be able to leave the mirror to face an audience. Free Singing Tip M

N = Never sing if it hurts to swallow. Free Singing Tip N

O = Open your mouth wider. Nine times out of ten this will help you achieve a stronger, more defined vocal tone. Free Singing Tip O

P = Prepare your instrument before singing. Singers are very much like athletes. Take care of your body/instrument by stretching out the vocal muscles and relieving the body of unnecessary tension before singing. Singing Tip P

Q = Quit smoking. Quit talking too loudly. Quit talking too much. Free Singing Tip Q

R = Raise the Soft Palate. Creating a larger space inside your mouth by raising the soft palate, or fleshy part of the back of our throat, helps achieve a deeper more well rounded singing tone. Free Singing Tip R

S = Sing through the vocal breaks. If you do not teach the muscles the necessary actions to sing through the trouble spots, success will never be achieved. Sing through it, sing through it again, and again.... Free Singing Tip S

T = Tone Placement. Learning the facts about tone placement and resonance make a huge difference in the abilities of a singer. In simple terms, a singer has numerous body cavities (nasal cavity, chest cavity, etc.) and amplifiers (bones, ligaments, etc.) that act as resonators. Focusing the vocal tone through the proper resonating chamber with the proper support is important with regard to controlling and developing your personal sound.

U = Unique Voice Under Construction. Remember that your voice has its own unique fingerprint and is constantly changing with our actions, environment, health habits, etc. With this in mind, listen to your own voice often and use vocal training tools to keep your voice on the right track. Free Singing Tip U

V = Vibrato. Vibrato is a natural or forced fluctuation of a singing tone. Do not concentrate on learning how to sing with vibrato. Instead, concentrate on the basic foundations of singing, breathing and support. When the proper coordination is achieved, vibrato will occur naturally. Free Singing Tip V

W = Water. Water. Water. Drink room temperature water as often as you can to keep your voice organ hydrated. If you only have cold or hot water available, swish it around in your mouth for a moment. This action will keep your voice organ from being startled or stressed by different temperatures. Free Singing Tip W

Y = You Can Sing with Impact! Exercise your voice daily with contemporary voice lesson products. Don't Just Sing when You Can Sing with Impact!
Free Singing Tip Y

Z = Zzzzzzzz. Be sure to get your rest. If you are tired, your voice will show it. A tired body/instrument will not allow you to produce your best possible sound.
Free Singing Tip Z

A2Z SINGING TIPS
By Nicole LeGault

A is for Attitude. How many singers does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the world has to revolve around them, ha ha. All kidding aside, being a vocalist is a very courageous and naked way of expressing yourself. If you aren't open and unashamed, your audience will not be able to develop an empathetic rapport. Free Singing Tip A1

B is for Breath Control. To skillfully control your breath while singing it is required that you relax most muscles, while strenuously exerting others. This is an exercise in coordination that requires concentration and practice – but like anything you've done a thousand times, it eventually becomes second nature. Free Singing Tip B1

C is for Criticism. Everyone always has something to say – especially if you ask them! Gravitate towards your fans, disregard those whom you believe may have motive to see you fail. Take to heart constructive criticism you can use to make yourself stronger, and accept the fact that you cannot please all the people all the time. Free Singing Tip C1

D is for Dynamics. Using dynamics is the art of raising and lowering the volume of your voice to add texture and expression to the sound. This is also known as "color". You will notice that in popular styles, the voice grows louder with higher notes, and softer with lower notes, with the exception of when falsetto is used. Free Singing Tip D1

E is for Emotion. If the emotional content of the song you're singing is powerful enough to move you, then allow that emotion to affect the sound of your voice. If it's not, then you must reach inside your heart and connect with a similar experience of your own. Free Singing Tip E1

F is for Facial Muscles. For homework, observe your favorite singers in live action. Take note of how they drop their jaw for some sounds, and lift their cheeks up for others… The shape of your mouth will greatly affect the tone and volume of the sound you are creating. Free Singing Tip F1

G is for Grace. When singing, the sound should flow with ease - do not force. Volume comes from the manner in which the sound resonates, and each note has its "happy place". Even to sing with a raunchy sound is a manner of technique, not force. Free Singing Tip G1

H is for Hoarseness. The vocal cords are very delicate, and improper use of them will cause bruising, and if repetitive, calluses. When damaged, the vocal cords loose their elasticity causing a reduced ability to produce clear tones, limitation of range, and a great deal of stress for the performing singer. Free Singing Tip H1

I is for Imagery. When you are describing through song an event, an emotion, an experience, your surroundings, specific people, etc… you must have a clear vision in your mind's eye of the images you are describing. If you neglect to do this, the words will seem to have no meaning. Free Singing Tip I1

J is for Jabberwocky. When you are composing lyrics, don't forget that nonsensical words, sounds, and scat are legitimate prose. La la la, do do do, bottle op' botten doh, bottle op bop 'n bayden day dow dow… Free Singing Tip J1

K is for Karaoke! Karaoke is a great stepping stone between practicing as a beginner, and auditioning for a real gig. You're a star on stage with a professional P.A. system, and there is no pressure at all not to make mistakes! Free Singing Tip K1

L is for Larynx. The vocal cords are not really cords at all - they're more like flaps which stick out horizontally from the sides of your windpipe. The vocal folds vibrate in accordance to their length, mass and tension using "tensor muscles". Free Singing Tip L1

M is for Music. It is my opinion that a singer is only as good as the song that he/she is singing. You must choose your material wisely; you would be surprised at how it alters people's perception of your voice. Free Singing Tip M1

N is for Name. What's in a name? Lots if you're a singer! You know how there are just some names you remember easily, and some you don't? Many musicians have "stage names", also known as "pseudonyms" ("pen names" are for authors). You do not need to legally change your name; it is extremely common and accepted for musicians to have an a.k.a. if they so desire. Free Singing Tip N1

O is for Observation. Decide which vocalists you most admire, and then observe their technique. Visually, you will see how they use their physicality, and how they present themselves on stage. Audibly, you will hear what perhaps they are doing differently, and how you can improve your own technique. Free Singing Tip O1

P is for Projection. Projection is the art of pushing the sound (via the air) up, and forward, and away from you. Singers, actors, and public speakers do it. "Reach for the back row". Remember that even when your voice is going down in pitch and in volume, the projection always moves up and forward and away – because it is your directly related to your airflow. Free Singing Tip P1

Q is for Quench. When I'm recognized in public as a vocal coach, a lot of people ask first: "What should I drink"? I tell them that if they're singing properly, it doesn't matter much what they drink. I prefer to avoid caffeine, because I don't like the crash that follows the artificial stimulation. Avoid hard liquor, it burns going down and the fumes may irritate. Avoid dairy products, they may help generate phlegm. Other than that, just try to remain hydrated and fueled – I like to drink spring water and fruit juice. When consuming carbonated beverages, be sure that you can keep your burping under control! It can be embarrassing, especially during ballads. Free Singing Tip Q1

R is for Range. You are not born with your range, you can increase it. If you cannot touch your toes, try every day to touch your toes - and you will touch your toes. Your range can be stretched in the same manner (using proper technique!!!) and likewise, if you don't use your full range regularly, it will shrink back. Free Singing Tip R1

S is for Style. Placement (bass & treble, etc…), singing raunchy or raspy (without going hoarse!), vibrato, and falsetto are all stylistic techniques that can be learned, developed and mastered. Why not be versatile as possible? Free Singing Tip S1

T is for Talent. Talent? I believe that talent is an illusion that only people who've practiced a great deal will ever possess. I have students who practice regularly, and students who don't – the difference is abundantly clear. Adhere to a structured practice regiment and you will be "talented" too! Free Singing Tip T1

U is for Undaunted. People often take their singing ambitions very seriously, and then along comes some person of authority who says "It's unrealistic to think you'll ever be a professional" for whatever reason. Think for a moment and try to come up with the names of five superstars to whom this person would be likely to say the same thing! Free Singing Tip U1

V is for Visualization. Many vocal coaches use visualization techniques for the placement and projection of the sound. For one example, if you imagine the sound appearing out of nowhere above and just in front of you, you can aim more accurately with your pitch (no fading, or "dipping" into the note) and from there, project it away from you (pushing with your diaphragm). Project in a outwardly round manner for a fuller sound. Free Singing Tip V1

W is for Warm Up! I would not be caught dead singing without warming up first. You go to hit a note… and a different one comes out! Your delicate little vocal folds were not made to go from 0 to 60 in three seconds. You must stretch them to their full range gently and gradually. Free Singing Tip W1

Y is for Yak and Yell. Once you have developed your skill with regard to using your voice without damaging it, use this technique in your daily life. If you speak a great deal, or need to project your voice in a noisy environment, or cheer at a concert, scream on a roller coaster, shout instructions at a sports event, argue with your family, etc… you must preserve your voice with skill - or it won't be there when you need it to sing! Free Singing Tip Y1

Z is for Zeal. If you're a performer, then you must be zealous in all your endeavors. From the preparatory and organizational phases, to the performance – your enthusiasm and ardor will be a key factor. If you're tired and you need to sing 30 songs now, pretend you're not tired! Good luck, and have fun!!! Free Singing Tip Z1

A2Z SINGING TIPS
By Teri Danz

A = Athlete-- Singers need to train their body like an athlete. Your body is your instrument. Put a priority on: 1) taking care of your body -- rest, food and warming up to sing, and 2) building and maintaining your instrument.

B= Breathing-- Knowing how to breathe in singing is a basic technique. A diaphragmatic approach is important here. Use your back muscles for support. Fill up air into your rib cage and back but not into your throat. This creates a baseline support level called holding up. Then take smaller breaths for phrases as
you need them.

C= Control -- control in singing is a combination of techniques. Breath control, resonance, pitch, placement, holding up and being able to ride the air are all elements of control. Like riding a bike, it's the balance of all of these things that contribute to effortless singing.

D= Drop Your Jaw -- Relaxing and dropping the jaw in (pop) singing is the key to reaching notes effortlessly, making range transitions and supporting the ends of your range.

E= Eat for Energy -- Proteins are essential for maintaining energy in singing. Singing takes energy. Many performers lose energy halfway through a set and then end up efforting, pushing and stressing their vocal cords.

F= Fatigue -- Fight fatigue. As a singer, this is a huge enemy. Fatigue will sap you of technique and have you working against yourself. Many singers strain their vocal chords, push their range, get hoarse, and get a variety of other problems when they get tired. The antidote is rest and self-care.

G=Get out there-- The best way to create your own style as a singer is to do it. If you're a beginner, work with nurturing people (and a coach). You can play coffeehouses, open mikes, sing with friends, but just get started.

H= Hydration - Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water (no lemon). It takes energy and lubrication to sing.

I= Initiate -- Look for opportunities to sing. They are out there. Be like a tiger, watch for opportunities and do the work to be able to take them.

J= Jaw -- Relax your jaw. Called a Dumb Duh, it will feel unnatural to keep your jaw loose and dropped but it is the best way to get a smooth sound and not effort in singing. It also allows you to get exact placement of pitch and replicate it.

K= Keep Your Eye on the Ball -- Don't get discouraged if your voice isn't where you'd like it to be. It takes time to develop your instrument. Singing is a complex performing art and everyone who's successful has done the work at some time or another. Keep going and you'll keep growing.

L= Less is More -- Strive to do justice to the song and your interpretation of it. Just deliver the message. Vocal gymnastics is not a prerequisite for doing a great vocal performance.

M= Mouth sounds -- Using mouth sounds such as a creek or a cry, give your voice more resonance and presence. In your chest voice, knowing how to use mouth sounds properly is critical -- especially in getting to record quality. Many singers mistakenly put their sound in their nose. Practice putting the sound in your mouth by placing it all the way in your nose and then forcing the sound into your mouth. FEEL the difference. Your body can assist you with correct placement.

N= Not Efforting -- This is a concept of using your body as an instrument. Not efforting involves holding up (standing straight, having a support of air in your body), doing a proper placement of pitches, dropping your jaw, riding the air up and over, and relaxing into the groove.

O=Open Stance -- An open stance to the audience is: holding up, standing straight, shoulders down, head and jaw relaxed, head straight forward, eyes open -- focused on a point, arms relaxed and wide. Watch Bono, Jagger, Aretha to get the idea.

P- Placement -- Knowing (not guessing) where pitches are placed is critical to being in control as a singer. You can actually have your body help you in remembering where pitches are placed. If you are on stage and can't hear/have no monitors etc..., knowing placement will allow you to stay on pitch no matter what
happens around you.

Q= Quit Pushing -- Feeling powerful in singing and being powerful in singing are two entirely different things. While efforting -- pushing chest, singing louder to hit pitches, creating and pushing sound from the throat -- may feel powerful, it actually sounds worse. It's easy to go off pitch, sound strident (even painful), hurt your voice, crack etc... when you sing in this way.

R = Riding the Air -- Riding the air is a concept and a set of actions that are extremely helpful for singers. Riding the air means holding up the air in your body so that you are supported, then sending/directing the sound up and over in a line to a point (imagine) across the room. Part of this is a mental image, part is a body muscle memory stance and the last part is mouth placement (riding along the palate).

S= Sing, Sing, Sing -- Sing everyday. If you aren't in a group, sing in the car, take classes, and most importantly, do vocal exercises. They will maintain your instrument (and build it) as you look for a steady singing gig.

T= Take feedback and direction. Be teachable. Sometimes other people can guide us when we don't know the way. Sometimes other people are dead wrong. Trust your intuition. Learn who to trust and then take what you like and leave the rest.

V= Vocal Exercises -- Vocal exercises are critical to maintaining and building your instrument. Do NOT underestimate them. They warm up your vocal chords in ways just singing a song cannot and will not. Lip rolls are a good way to start any warm up routine and can be done on a variety of scales.

W=Warm Up -- This is critical to a great performance -- you must warm up your muscles. A rule of thumb is to do at least 20 minutes of vocal exercises and 40 minutes of singing. If you perform a lot, it could take less time. If you perform infrequently, warm up longer. Otherwise you warm up on your audience or, worse, you find congestion, range weakness or other problems on stage rather than in the privacy of your home -- where you can work to overcome them. If you're sick or tired or very congested, having enough warm up time allows you to make good decisions on song selection and the actual set list.

X= X Factor -- Once you've got some solid vocal technique, let your personality and spirit shine through. Your voice is the window to your soul and vision; your technique needs to support your vision, not overtake it. If you are technically in control and have clear intent, even a single word can move listeners to tears.

Y= You are the Messenger -- If you're on stage or in the studio and you have to be perfect, it never works. Focus on communicating the song, sharing that experience with the audience. It's easy to make mistakes when it's all about us (how great or not we are).

Z= Get in the Zone -- Singing is a mental, spiritual, emotional and physical pursuit. It takes preparation, focus and energy! Prepare mentally for a performance. Take time to get quiet and focused before you sing. Warm up and visualize yourself giving a great performance.