Vocal Rest for Singers

As a singer, sometimes you just need to give your voice a break-- be quiet and go on vocal rest! A couple of weeks ago I had a really awful sinus infection.. my ears were clogged, my nose was stuffy and I had a really uncomfortable itch in my throat that made me sound hoarse when I spoke. I tried to sing a couple of times and it wasn't pretty. So how did it go away? Well, I cancelled all of my sessions that week and refrained from practicing any songs. I also limited my talking and went on vocal rest. Within 5 days of taking medication and literally not singing, I walked into my gig on Sunday and sang effortlessly and beautifully. It felt so amazing to have my real voice back!

According to the NYU Voice Center, vocal rest is a time of introspection and delegation. Vocal rest gives your voice time to heal, settle and relax. When your voice is fatigued or if you're trying to overcome an illness, the fastest way to let your voice heal is to refrain from using it. Believe it or not we use our voices for just about everything... when we cough, sneeze, clear our throats, hum and even whisper. During vocal rest, try to limit or even avoid doing all of these things to expedite your recovery. 

If you have a really busy performance schedule that requires you to sing almost on a nightly basis, try not to speak the entire day leading up to your call time. As it gets later in the day, closer to when you have to go on stage, gently start to warm up your voice (starting at the middle of your range, slowly working your way upwards and downwards) and take two shots of honey. Honey will lubricate your voice and will give your cords an awesome coating to help facilitate the production of sound with a lot more ease. If you're not at 100% during your gig, amp up your monitor mix or sing your song in a lower key. Always listen to your body when your voice is trying to tell you something. If it hurts, stop and take a couple of days off so that you can rest. 

Giving your voice the respect that it deserves is an amazing investment in your future as a vocal professional. If you can incorporate small bouts of vocal rest during your practice and performance schedules, then you will be able to accomplish the following things:

• The avoidance of more severe vocal problems that may require longer periods of vocal rest, therapy and even surgery.
• Stronger vocal muscles. Strength in muscles comes from stress AND recovery, and adequate recovery time is just as important as your training. 
• A longer lasting vocal career!

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please let me know. Also, I would like to know if you have any vocal rest tips of your own!?

Twang Vocal Technique

When singing contemporary music styles, some singers utilize the twang vocal technique to bring their sound a lot more forward and create a space for the voice to project in a louder and more controlled manner. This is particularly utilized in the top register of the voice to create more resonance, brightness and power. In other words, it is one way a singer can create a belt sound.

Basically, the twang sound occurs when you narrow the area in your throat at the level of your larynx. The singer brings the sound extremely forward and sings with a closed epiglottis. Below are two very informative videos that will explain this Twang Vocal Technique in more detail.

Vocal Coach Sarah Bickel shows us how to create that twang resonance during our practice sessions.

Vocal Coach David Combes does a great job of demonstrating the difference in sound when you use and don't use the vocal twang.



The TWANG is not a register, but merely a color in the voice.. a color that we can add to our palate when we are painting with our voice and performing a song. I agree that this technique is a little funky at first, but its amazing how much power and resonance it will add to your higher register if you keep practicing!

What do you think of the Twang Technique?? Have you tried it? =)

Audition Tips: How To Give A Successful Pop Vocal Audition

If you are looking for some tips on how to give a successful pop vocal audition, whether it be for American Idol, The Voice or for a casting call at a studio or theme park, look no further. As a Casting Director, I have facilitated thousands of auditions from singers hailing from all parts of the globe, and have worked with voices of all ages and skill levels. Auditions are scary--I know! But they are necessary in order for singers to seek different opportunities, make a living and grow as an artist. During my experience being on both sides of the table, I have compiled several observations. Below is a list of tips that will hopefully help to give you more confidence for your next pop singing audition:

1- Make an impact right away.

Typically a decision is made within the first 5 seconds of your song. When you only have 30 seconds or 16 bars to make a great impression, you must start with a dynamic introduction. A solid, powerful beginning will grab the panel's attention and increase your chances dramatically. These first impressions make a significant difference. If you take too long to get "cooking," the other person's interest may have already been lost and the "no" may have already been decided. Start strong!

2- Dress to impress.

Wear something that makes you feel confident but is not going to distract from your performance. The way you look should be complimentary to the way you want others to interpret your style. Be age appropriate and don't be afraid to be "you." Embrace who you are but still be professional. Auditions are sort of like job interviews and even though you want to look professional, you still have to be authentic to who you are. 

3- Be in love with your song. 

Make sure that you pick a song that you are obsessed with--a song that you have sung millions of times,  and that you can rely on even under pressure. If you sing with passion and enjoyment, the nerves go away. If you sing something that you are extremely comfortable with, you have nothing to be nervous about. And if you sing a song that allows you to connect to every lyric, you transform your audition into an artistic performance.

4-Song choice is very important.
Stay away from anything that has ever been sung by Adele, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. You may be a diva, but I doubt your rendition is going to be better than the original! Try picking something that shows off your voice, range and style. I love it when girls sing guy songs and vice-versa. Add your own flavor to whatever it is that you perform. It'll make you memorable. 

5-Have a great attitude.
We are judging you from the moment you walk into the room. Be natural, confident and genuinely happy to be there. Before your performance, introduce yourself and the name of your song. Don't try to shake the Casting Director's hand unless they initiate it. Sing your song, smile when you are finished, and take criticism (if given) gracefully. Don't push back, show respect and appreciation for the opportunity, and simply say thank you before you leave the room. 

6-Body language is key.

Stand up tall and look confident. Make eye contact and do not look at the floor. If you smile sweetly, it softens the situation and makes you seem less nervous and more real. Don't do anything with your hands that will distract from your performance. Keep them at your side or use them as authentic gestures during your performance. 

7-Keep an open mind.

Expectations lead to disappointments. Walk into the room feeling like you have nothing to lose. You are a winner just by giving it a try. SO many people just *think* about doing something but chicken out when it actually comes time to deliver. 

8-Be proud of yourself. 

Whatever the outcome may be, know that you are one step closer to reaching your goals just by completing your audition. You're gonna receive a lot of rejection before you make it to the top, but keep your head up and be proud of yourself for having the courage to move forward.

Success is not always the destination--it is the journey. Just because you did not get the part, does not mean that you failed. Success is measured by the amount of growth that you made as an artist, the experience that you gained, and the people that you met. So much of this business is based off of so many other factors that we have no control over. Auditions are not just solely based on talent, but based on timing, subjectivity and "types." You may just not be what they are looking for, no matter how well you think you did. Get over it and don't take it personally! Keep auditioning, keep learning new songs and you're gonna keep getting better and better- I promise!

Do you have audition tips from your own experiences????

What to Eat Before You Sing

Some of my students have asked me what they should eat before they sing or have a performance. Since the voice is part of the human body, what we consume affects what we produce. You want to make sure that you are in fact eating- you don't want to starve. Starvation is unhealthy and won't give you the energy that you need for your performance. But, you also want to consume foods that will give you the stamina and nutrients that you need without hindering your vocal instrument.

The following are some tips that I always try to live by before I have a gig:

1- Hydrate!

There's a reason why hydration is #1 on this list. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. Water and non-caffeinated tea are best. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol. They will actually do the opposite--dehydrate and irritate the voice. If you hate the taste of water, add lemon, berries or non-sugary powders such as Crystal Light. If you don't like tea, add honey or lemon to your drink. When your voice is hydrated, a healthy amount of mucous membranes coat your cords and you're able to sing with a lot more ease. 

2- Eat protein.

Lean meat will give you the energy that you need to sustain throughout your performance. Grilled chicken and fish are great examples of what you can make at home or eat at the place that you are performing. If you are on the go, try grabbing some deli meat (turkey, ham) and snack on that with some WheatThins or Triscuits. These lean proteins will keep you satisfied and serve as the fuel for your voice and breath-supporting muscles. 

3- Eat your veggies.

Vegetables are just really good for you and will give you the vitamins that you need to maintain your health. Working long hours and sleeping irregularly can affect your immune system and eating properly will help give you the stamina that you need to stay healthy and strong. Salads, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are just some veggies that provide great benefits to your overall health and voice. I like to munch on carrots and celery when I am on the go. If I am at home, a quick salad is very refreshing.

4- A spoonful of honey.

Honey is a singer's best friend. Honey is filled with so many awesome benefits for the body and the voice. Its a great lubricant for the voice because it literally just coats your throat and soothes your muscles. Honey serves as a natural healing property and bacteria killer, gives you energy and boosts your immune system. If you keep a squeezable bottle in your car (its okay to it leave out in the sun and it never expires), then all you have to do is have a little bit of honey when you are en route to your gig.

5- Granola Bars.

I love granola bars (Kashi is my favorite) because they give me a lot of energy and are very filling when I am on the go. They are also a great little snack to have if I have a break between a 4 hour set. Healthy granola bars provide a great combination of fiber, protein and carbohydrates. I make sure to pack at least one when I have to perform. Sometimes I get anxious before I sing and am literally not hungry. A healthy granola bar also serves as a quick compromise if you just need to put something in your stomach. 

I hope that this list helps you next time you are wondering what to eat when you have a performance or gig. Overall, you shouldn't starve yourself or overeat. You should eat until you are satisfied and make choices that are beneficial to your body and your voice. 

Remember... you only have ONE voice!

American Idol's Vocal Coach - Debra Byrd

Check out this neat little interview with Debra Byrd, Vocal Coach on American Idol. Debra demonstrates her knowledge, experience and nurturing nature.




Debra discusses the importance of vocal health in a professional performance setting. Proper coaching, healthy singing technique and good habits are imperative when you are singing on a regular basis for long period of time. The enormous amount of preparation and performance required in a platform such as the American Idol competition is just one extreme example of this.

I posted this video because I just love Debra Byrd's demeanor. Her personality is so warm and nurturing and you can see how easy it is for singers to trust her. The hardest thing about being a vocal coach is gaining that trust. The voice is a fragile thing and singers should be careful when working with teachers. I constantly strive to learn more and more about my craft so that my knowledge and sincerity can allow my students to trust me as well.

Hope you enjoyed this little video. =)

Season 11's American Idol Winner - Phillip Phillips

Last night we witnessed a very emotional reaction from our newly crowned American Idol, Phillip Phillips. The finale was filled with amazing performances and touching moments. But the best moment of all, was when Season 11's winner, Phillip Phillips was crowned.

As I wrote a couple of days ago, I was rooting for Jessica Sanchez to win. But after watching Phillip perform, react and embrace his family, I immediately became attached to him. His musicality is undeniable and his style is very kitschy, but in that very moment, he became real. 

So many aspects about being a great vocalist require concentration, discipline and skill. But what will transform and bring you to life is authenticity. Just let yourself become vulnerable and emotional. Your music will then speak for itself.

Congratulations to Season 11's American Idol, Phillip Phillips. I am very curious where this journey will take him. I love his new single and expect that he will do better than our previous winning WGWG's... let's hope he will go far and wish him well. =)

And sadly, this season has come to a close. =( But watch out, America! I will be auditioning this summer! We need a female Idol to win next year!

And on that note, I will leave you with the best, most hilarious and fierce performance of the night: The Face Off between Jennifer Holliday and Jessica Sanchez singing "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going" - ENJOY =)

American Idol Season 11 Finale - Jessica vs Phillip

Finally, Season 11 of American Idol's biggest event has arrived. Tonight we watched the Top 2, Jessica Sanchez and Phillips Phillips compete against each other for this year's coveted Idol title.

Round One - Simon Fuller's Song Picks
- Jessica Sanchez sings "Nothing" by Whitney Houston - Perfect song choice! Really nice delivery as Jessica is a natural when it comes to singing these diva ballads. I loved how she still performed very well but didn't give us everything that she had.. She needs to save the wow moments for the end of the show..

- Phillip Phillips sings "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King - I love his laid-back indie approach to this popular standard. His rendition was very tender and showcased great musicality. However, did not demonstrate incredible vocal ability by any means. I agree with Randy, Jessica definitely won this round.


Round Two - The Singers' Favorite Song of the Season
- Jessica Sanchez sings "The Prayer" - Gorgeous rendition of this classic song. It is quite an accomplishment to tackle a song that is actually a DUET with both Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. I love how her performance was so emotional and powerful. She could have easily belted out that last note, but she flipped into her head voice and led us wanting more.

- Phillip Phillips sings "Movin Out" by Billy Joel - This is a neat arrangement of this song. Phillip's phrasing was really interesting and he did a great job building up to the end of the song. My only gripe was that he literally looked like he was in pain during his performance. Great growl and climax to the end.


Round Three - Their Potential Winning Song
- Jessica Sanchez sings "Change Nothing" - The melody was a little interesting but she opened up really nicely in those big notes. I felt like the song showcased her range really nicely but the arrangement was really strange- there was no soul, no flavor or style. I don't know if this will take her to the top.

- Phillip Phillips sings "Home" - The song was a little boring but I love that catchy little indie hook at the end. The marching band made the production even more special. This song sounds like The Shins in the Garden State. It was a great performance but don't agree that it merited a standing ovation from the judges!

Well, I am very frustrated because it seems like another WGWG is going to win American Idol this year. I agree that Phillip has a wonderful style, but is this competition about singing or about style???

1- Round One Winner - Jessica
2- Round Two Winner - Even
3- Round Three Winner - Phillip

Its gonna be a toss up, but I am pretty certain that America will elect yet Phillip Phillips as Season 11's American Idol.

What do you think?!?!