I don’t know about you, but when it comes to most things I do, I’m not good at waiting for results. When it comes to challenges, I’m the kind of person that says “here goes nothin” and then dives in. That’s my personality. I admit it. To some, this attitude is exactly what you need to get ahead. But if you really think about it for a second, this approach can really be a curse just as fast as it can be a blessing. You see, jumping r...

I have been getting many requests to write a post on how to effectively connect the chest and head voice registers, so they sound as one.  Today is your lucky day! Anyone who sings is always interested in how to expand their range. I’ve written several posts on this topic, but I find that it’s not always something easily understood, so I figured I would spend a bit more time to help smooth out that area where your voice cracks…otherwise...

I get many emails from my readers here at Making it in Music who are interested in techniques to expand their vocal range. Although this is a wildly popular topic (and one that I cover in the section of Vocalist Corner), proper singing really starts with your breathing technique or what is commonly known as breath support. I humorously refer to it in the title as a "secret," because it's a topic that eludes so many singers! Breathing correctl...

Style is paramount when it comes to singing. It’s what ultimately defines you as a vocalist and has been responsible for making rock stars out of singers who most would agree are average at best. Throw out all of the so called "rules" of American Idol. The definition of a great singer is a subjective matter in tumultuous portions. It rarely has to do with how well a vocalist sings, but rather how well a vocalist sounds. You see, how a...

1. Exercise your cords daily As a vocal instructor, it's a common misconception that taking voice lessons will automatically improve vocal ability. One may hear Simon on American Idol or perhaps a teacher at school recommending vocal lessons. There is definitely validity in this, however you have to put forth the effort! Merely singing along to your favorite songs won’t do it. I get the question all the time. “How can I improve my voice?...

If you read my post Blending Your Head and Chest Voice to Increase Your Vocal Range, you can see how using your mix (head and chest voice) can help to expand your range. Instead of over crowding that post, I decided to dedicate a section to exercises you can to start to do, to help connect your bridge (the “break” where your vocal cords tighten to the point where you are forced to stop singing in chest voice and transition to your head voice...

If you recall on my post regarding “What is Head Voice,” I utilized some videos  by Kevin Richards (RockthestageNYC) showing the difference between falsetto and head voice and additionally, how to access your head voice. Admittingly - though I am the guru on anything music business :) -Kevin’s knowledge on vocal pedagogy far surpasses mine, which is precisely why I used his video’s as an example. However, I am a vocal instructor for begi...

As a vocalist playing the Midwest club circuit in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, the music of that time required me to hit some incredibly high notes. The band I was in at the time was covering everything from Rush and Queen to Stone Temple Pilots and Alice In Chains. Needless to say, I had to learn how to hit those crazy notes (take a listen to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody or Rush’s Spirit of The Radio), but more importantly, how to do it ...