Your Voice is an Instrument

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 by Carmen (Shea) Hillary | Technique & Education

When we talk about singing, what are we refering to exactly?  Think about that for a second.  Well, we are talking about tone production (sound) and lyrics (words).  Sometimes the best way to free up your singing is to get rid of the words and improvise!  Just play with sounds and make stuff up - as though you were a trumpet in a horn section.  Mimicking trumpets and saxophones etc... can often bring about a new perspective on how to sing.  Free your mind, enjoy the music and play around!  That's what Ondina did here, check it out.  And, below that watch a performance with Christina Aguilera where she actually plays on her microphone as though it were a trumpet to help herself transition through some of the more challenging vocal lines in her song:

Supporting Your Sound with Air Flow and the Diaphragm

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 by Carmen (Shea) Hillary | Technique & Education

The closest the average person gets to singing properly is belly laughing, sighing, moaning and groaning. You know how when you laugh really hard your stomach hurts? Well that is because the diphragm muscle there helps to control your air flow. Your voice is a wind instrument, and therefore it also helps to control your singing. Sighing also encourages air flow which you need to produce sound. Try laughing from your belly. Next, try sighing right from your "guts". Does your voice feel more grounded or soulful somehow? Check out this video by clicking on the link and see if you can hear the "belly laugh" in her singing.  

Universal Songwriting

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 by Carmen (Shea) Hillary | Technique & Education

When writing lyrics, it's important to try and make your songs relatable and universal.  You can be specific and clear and yet still leave the message open enough that the listener can intrepret the song how they want to. People are drawn to songs that express emotions they themselves are feeling.  Avoid really specific statements that only you personally could understand.  This song below, Arizona, seems to clearly be about a relationship gone wrong.  But, Adrienne never comes right out and says that.  She uses metaphors and imagery to paint a picture that leaves the song open to interpretation.  In doing this she allows the listener to relate to the song in whatever way they want.  Maybe it's about a break up, maybe it's a relationship between a brother and sister or between a father and daughter.  You decide:   

Singing with a Focus on Emotion and Connecting with the Song

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 by Carmen (Shea) Hillary | Technique & Education

At the end of the day, what really makes a great singer is not just having a nice voice and hitting the right notes.  A lot of people can do that.  What makes an artist really stand out is how they evoke the emotion of a song and relate it to their audience.   Check out this fantastic performance!

Style and Stage Presence

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 by Carmen (Shea) Hillary | Technique & Education

This is an interesting comparative of different performance styles.  Jewel and Jessica Simpson singing the hit song "Who Will Save Your Soul".  Jessica has a more open mouthed and outwardly expressive style.  Jewel maintains an outward connection with the audience but her approach is more inwardly expressive; generating a more intimate, casual and conversational approach.  This approach exudes confidence and ownership over the song.  Sometimes doing less actually grips the audience more.  Check it out and see what you think.