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Hey Singers!
Welcome to Quick Singing Tips Washington DC Edition.
I'm here on tour with Kevin Bacon
and the Bacon Brothers Band.
So while I'm here I'm doing some exploring
and naturally, I thought I'd answer a question or two
about singing.
Today we're together at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
This spot is known for some of the most famous rallies,
marches, and speeches in US history.
The most famous of course, is the "I Have A Dream" speech
by Martin Luther King Jr.
For generations, this place has epitomized the fact that
every human voice must be heard.
Which leads us to our question from
Vinay B. in Raipur, India.
Vinay writes, "Dear Justin, people always tell me they
can't hear me when I speak in public.
What can I do to fix it?"
Awesome question, Vinay.
Well, you don't have to be a great orator
to use your speaking voice well.
In fact, it's important for your singing that you do.
Many times singers have good vocal technique
but they don't use their speaking voices very efficiently.
Let's let this beautiful reflecting pool help us
reflect on how we can use our speaking voices better.
First, vocal fry.
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Vocal fry may be a cool way to speak
but it doesn't do our voices any favors.
It's not necessarily damaging.
But, it's not great to do all the time.
Vocal fry is like eating fried foods.
You don't stuff yourself with fries all the time.
If you do, you'll be fat.
And you always don't vocal fry all the time.
If you do, you'll be flat.
Breath.
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When we sing we need to be a little conservative
with our air.
That's so we don't over-blow the vocal folds on high notes
and so our phrases last.
But in speech you can be a little more generous with
your exhalations.
Make sure you're getting your breath deep in the body.
And then, let it come forth like a might stream.
Fundamental frequency.
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The fundamental frequency is the pitch or note
at which you usually speak.
We don't think of our speaking voices as
having pitch and melody.
But, really they do!
Low frequencies don't project as well as higher ones.
So if you're speaking too low
then bring things up a little higher.
It might sound weird to you at first.
But soon it will become natural.
As a bonus you'll probably come across
more interesting, friendly, and energetic too.
Resonance.
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Using our resonance is another key to being heard.
The larynx needs to be free from tension when you speak.
So watch out for gripping in the neck, the jaw,
and the tongue.
A free and open larynx should help your speaking
voice "ring" in your pharynx.
Nasal resonance can also give your voice a shine.
Make sure your voice contains a little of the
HMM, HNN, or HNG quality if you're trying
to project.
This gives you a resonance boost
that cuts through the crown very nicely.
Finally, audacity.
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Audacity means daring to be bold.
Daring to be free.
Daring to be the person you are.
You've only got one voice.
And let me tell you my friend,
it's special.
You are special.
You're a one of a kind masterpiece.
And if anyone told you otherwise then
clearly they've been drinking from the wrong
reflecting pool.
Vinay, if even one smidge of you believes what I just said,
then go with that belief.
And the next time you say anything,
say it with audacity.
It's my guess that people are going to
start hearing you very soon.
Here are some more ways to be heard on
your vocal journey.
For voice lessons or Skype lessons
with the NYVC staff
visit us at NewYorkVocalCoaching.com.
If you'd like a vocal course
that you can do at home
check out the
Voice Lessons To The World Vocal Course.
This twelve part program takes you
on a singing journey from beginner
to master level vocal exercises.
You can find it at VoiceLessonsToTheWorld.com.
Or, if you'd like free vocal tips
sent to you each day
sign up at DailyVocalTips.com.
And now, here's Justin
with this week's vocal benediction.
Reflect on your voice.
Reflect that only you can bless us with it.
Reflect on the good that you have to say
to the world.
If you're brave enough to share your voice
you're brave enough to do anything.
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