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Hi singers!
I'm Justin Stoney
the founder of New York Vocal Coaching
here with you for another episode of
Quick Singing Tips.
This week I'm joining you on
a cold winter's day from my hood.
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No, not this hood.
My hood!
The Upper West Side.
I love the Upper West Side
because it's far quieter than Midtown Manhattan.
[ Birds chirping ] ♬
Sure there's always the occasional
ambulance siren, car horn,
or shout from some New Yorker!
But, when the springtime comes
these things are going to be drowned out by
the sounds of birds chirping in these trees.
[ Birds chirping ] ♬
The streets are lined with brownstone, after brownstone,
after beautiful brownstone.
And that's what I call home.
♪ But the pavement always ♪
♪ Stayed beneath my feet before ♪
Which leads us to our question for this week
from Sana G. in Beirut Lebanon.
Sana writes, "Dear Justin my siblings are always
telling me to stop singing and keep it down.
Do you have any advice?"
That's a fabulous question, Sana.
I'm really sorry to hear that your siblings haven't
been more supportive.
But between you and me, those siblings don't know
what they're missing!
Still, it's important for you and all singers
to find a place where you feel comfortable singing.
Here in New York we all live stacked
on top of each other.
Everybody can hear everyone else's business.
I'm thankful that my Upper West Side neighbors
know that I'm a voice teacher.
So they expect to hear me practicing all sorts of bizarre
and downright shocking noises and sounds.
[ Throat singing ]
[ Coughing noises ]
Not to mention the fact that I've got no shame anymore
and I just go ahead and make all the sounds.
And, that's really the key.
If you're practicing properly it should not sound like
beautiful sounds happening all the time.
Practicing is not a performance.
It's practice.
You should be making the kinds of sounds where
siblings, neighbors, or passers-by
say, "What the heck is going on in there?"
After all, the singing voice is made up of many
different components.
Some of them strong!
Some of them weak.
Some of them bright.
Some of them dark.
Some of them high
Some of them low.
Some of them clean.
and some not so clean.
So, actually Sana it might not be
such a bad thing that your siblings are annoyed
by your practicing.
Probably, you're doing it right!
[ Ding sound ]
Still, whether you live in New York or Beirut
or the middle of a cornfield,
you need to find a practice space where
you feel free to make sounds.
If your practices are always done in a place
where you have to be quiet
your voice won't develop its strength.
[ Muffled singing ] ♪ Down the street before ♪
If your practices are in a place
where you're being judged
then you'll only go for the sounds that
you think are acceptable.
So if your home's not working for you
find another space to practice.
Maybe it's a practice room at school.
Maybe you can practice at a friend's house.
Some singers even like to rent a rehearsal space.
Or, you might just take a walk out in nature
and sing with the birds.
But, no matter what you do,
if you can't practice at home
you've got to make sure your practice space isn't
standing in the way of your vocal progress.
Here are more ways to make vocal progress.
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.
For anybody who's been told, "Keep it down in there!"
Let me encourage you.
Don't stop singing.
Don't stop practicing.
The only way to get where you want to be
is through making a bunch of embarrassing sounds.
So keep on makin' them!
and your best sounds will follow.
Just make sure that you find
a place that's just for you.
your vocal home sweet home.
♬