Your Vocal Questions---answered!

After we featured vocal performer and vocal technique, dialect and voiceover coach Carolyn Fallin in PerformerNation with her Vocal-cises! article many of you wrote in with some questions for Carolyn.

Please read on to her answers to your important inquiries!

I love to sing and I'm interested in taking some classes to improve my voice but I have some questions: Carolyn, what method do you teach? Also, I've heard some teachers make their students sound all the same, how can I avoid that?

I can’t count the number of times I have been asked, “What method do you teach? If your name is Logan, I teach the Logan method. If your name is Stephanie, I teach the Stephanie method. The fact is, there isn’t one method that’s right for everyone. Every singer has different vocal issues and needs that take specific training to get her to her most effective, appealing singing voice. Great singers learn to be great by using their mind and muscles to find a free, easy, flexible, powerful, controlled sound that audiences want to hear. It’s my job to help you achieve this. The next question I hear is, “Are you going to change my voice, because, I like my sound?” That means you’re afraid I’m going to make you sound like everybody else. You see, the most exciting part about your voice is that no one has one exactly like yours. It’s my job to show you how to control your instrument to do what you want it to do. If you have a gravelly or raspy growl that is your signature sound and want to keep it, why not learn to use your voice to do many things you want it to do? I’m not here to take away your vocal qualities, I’m here to enhance your sound in an easy free flowing way and show you the skills to make great music. Here’s a tip: if you meet a vocal coach you’d like to try out, put him to the test. If he or she doesn’t show you something new about your voice in the first session, find a new coach. Putting your new skills into practice, you possess the power to manipulate your musical sound. All it takes are the proper exercises executed the right way and designed to address your needs specifically, gradually advancing in difficulty as you master them. When you apply what you’ve learned to your songs, you’ll find the voice you desire. Your passion for singing should inspire you to discover proper vocal and performance techniques. With the right coach to help you achieve your singing goals, your accomplishments will be thrilling.

A Note from Holdon Log:

Remember that your classes are part of your performing education and they are most likely tax-deductible expenses. Be sure to log what you paid for a class, how you paid for it, when you made the payment, and any travel expenses that you incurred in your PerformerTrack account or your Holdon Log! If your class costs more that $75 and you live in the US, be sure to get a receipt to file in your records!

 

How can I find out what type of music I want to sing? Like what style?

Educate yourself. You know how there is a song that comes along once in a great while that you just can’t seem to get enough of? Have you ever asked yourself why? Is it the structure, the rhythm, the melody, the energy? The answer can be found in the past. In order to be a successful artist, you must know music history. I can’t name a singer who hasn’t been influenced by another singer. You don’t just start singing without ever having fallen in love with someone else’s voice. My inspirations are varied, yet have formed my feelings and strong emotions about singing throughout my life. They are: Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Earth, Wind and Fire, Aerosmith, Barry Manilow, Amy Grant, Chicago, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Eder, Harry Connick Jr., Five For Fighting, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 and the list goes on. That’s quite an eclectic group! But, all of them have shaped my view of the kind of artist I came to be. Knowing music history teaches us to understand music today, how it changes and how it comes back around. If you don’t have knowledge of what came before, how can you truly appreciate what is now? So, I challenge you to listen to your big brother’s music, your mom’s music and your grandfather’s music. I did. They will be glad to share it with you and you will learn to recognize similarities in the songs you love.

A Note from Holdon Log:

Remember that you doing research is part of your performing investment and purchases of books and music is most likely a tax-deductible expense. Be sure to log what you paid for any books or music purchases, how you paid for it and when you purchased it in your PerformerTrack account or your Holdon Log! If you spent more that $75 on one item and you live in the US, be sure to get a receipt to file in your records!

 

How can I pick out a song that is appropriate for me? I have an audition for a singing competition and I want people to like my singing onstage? Any tips?

I have never been a fan of Frank Sinatra’s vocal technique, but I can’t deny that he could sell a song like no other. Frank is one of the top selling artists of all time. There is nothing more important in the world of entertainment than “performance.” Today’s audiences are smart. We know when a singer is “affected” or not being “real.” If we don’t believe you, we won’t buy your CD or download your music. A smart performer knows his audience. You watch the audience and get a feel for what their response is, all the while singing your heart out. You, the performer have to get us to like you. When you sing a song, it should be as though you are handing each audience member a present. It should be personal. The song has to become “your song”. Even if you are singing a cover song (another artist’s song), you have to make it your own. The audience has to feel that it was always your song and yours to give. Make the song a story. If you see the pictures that a song conjures up in your mind and let them out through your emotions and natural gestures and movement, you will paint a vivid picture for your audience. The pictures an audience member sees will probably be different than what the person next to them sees, because we have all had different experiences. Just make us feel like this song has never been done before. That’s your job and ultimate goal. When you do that, you have won us over and we will beg for more. Remember that the majority of your audience can’t sing, so they look to you give them the experience. When you make an honest connection with your audience, they will love you, whether you rev them up or touch their hearts, it’s all about entertaining us. I hope this helps cultivate the artist in you. Happy Singing!

A Note from Holdon Log:

Remember that preparing for your audition might involve a performing investment and if you had a coaching session, needed to by track music or if you had mileage or travel expenses, most likely they are tax-deductible expenses. Be sure to log what you paid, how you paid for the expenses and when you purchased it in your PerformerTrack account or your Holdon Log! If you spent more that $75 on one item and you live in the US, be sure to get a receipt to file in your records! Also in your PerformerTrack account or your Holdon Log, be sure to include notes in your audition or appointment sections for a quick reference to save you time and assist you in being on time, prepared and organized!