Vocal Technique vs. Style

I know people don't like to hear it when I say it, but the truth is that inherent talent and facility have a lot to do with a singer's success or failure within a particular style.  Voice lessons can teach technical skill, but they can't create vocal talent. Yet every voice can find a style that is appropriate to its own strengths and persistent training can continue to build on what nature has given the singer.

Some metaphoric examples that may make some sense are as follows. Anyone can go to a personal trainer and lift weights, but very few will ever have the genetic disposition to compete as body builders. Does this mean that they shouldn't train? Of course not. Weight bearing exercise can help everyone become healthier and more attractive. Anyone can take ballet classes. Does this mean that everyone who studies ballet will become a professional ballet dancer? Obviously not; however a good foundation in ballet can make a dancer proficient in other dance forms and can help a lay-person achieve poise, posture and confidence.

My point is that no matter where a student starts when they train, they can always continue to improve. But a good teacher will also need to be honest with their students about their potential to become professionals within a particular vocal style. In my own case, I am very fond of singing classical music; however I don't have a voice that will make it in heavier operatic repertoire. It is, however, very well suited to lighter opera, oratorio and lieder. 

Some voices are small. Some are big. Some voices are very high. Some are deep. Some have inherent "flaws" in them. Yet every voice can find its niche if both the singer and the teacher work together and are continually honest and realistic with their training regimen.  Any singer can become technically proficient in balancing their bridges from the bottom to the top with no apparent breaks in the voice. But good technique can't alter a voice's inherent timber, nor should it attempt to do so. So continue to train, and build your technique, then find the style or styles that are best suited to your voice and sing, sing, sing.

Until next time,

Guy

Voice Lessons

What to Eat and What to Drink Before Singing

I often get asked questions like, "Doesn't tea with honey help the voice?" "Does drinking olive oil and water make you sing better?" "Should I avoid dairy products before singing?" etc. Since the topic of what to eat and drink before singing is on the minds of many singers, let me give you my perspective now.

First, let's talk about the ideas of lemon, honey, teas, throat sprays etc. While all of these things can help the throat feel good, the only way that any of them will actually come into contact with your vocal folds is if you breathe them, and this is not something I would recommend.  The only thing that you can breathe that is beneficial is steam.  I recommend that each of my students purchase a steamer. You can find steamers at your local drug store for about $35.  A popular steamer is the Vick's Personal Steamer.  This is not the same as a vaporizer which puts moisture into the air of a room.  

A steamer actually has a little mask that goes over the nose and mouth. Water is put into the basin beneath the mask, the unit is plugged into the wall and powered on.  A heating element then heats the water to just below boiling.  The steam rises from the heated water through the mask and is breathed into the lungs.  The steam passes over the vocal folds on its way into the lungs and has a very hydrating and healing effect on them. Steaming is much preferred over gargling.  I find gargling to be somewhat irritating and don't recommend it.

As far as food is concerned, it is important to avoid singing on a completely empty stomach. Singing can be athletic, and you want to have plenty of energy for your performance.  However, it is also important to avoid singing on a completely full stomach.  When the stomach is too full, it is difficult to take the low breaths necessary for healthy singing.  Also, singing tends to cause burping when it is done too soon after eating, and burping is an activity that is usually frowned upon by many audience members during a vocal performance.  

A rule of thumb is to eat a healthy "singers meal" about 2 hours prior to a performance.  A singer's meal would be balanced in 1) lean meat, chicken, fresh fish, eggs, or a high quality vegetable protein such as tempeh or tofu; 2) a complex starchy carbohydrate such as whole grain bread, brown rice or potato (not much butter, and no sour cream); and 3) plenty of fresh vegetables and/or fruits (citrus fruits however seem to cause mucous or dryness in some singers). Make sure to never stuff yourself, especially before a performance. 

Some foods and beverages to avoid prior to singing are mucous producing foods such as dairy, stimulants such as caffeine and spicy foods, soft drinks, refined sugars, chocolate, iced drinks and alcohol (including wine and beer).  Be aware also of any foods which you may be sensitive to or allergic to prior to singing (for example, some singers have trouble with citrus fruits, wheat, nuts, shellfish or soy).

It's also important to keep the body well hydrated with water the day of a performance, but please remember to lay off on the water intake several hours before you go on, since there probably won't be too many bathroom breaks.  Some performers will chew a bit of sugar free gum or suck on a sugar free hard candy prior to going onstage to keep the saliva flowing in lieu of drinking water.

I hope that answered some of your questions.  Please keep emailing me with more!

Talk to you real soon!

Guy

www.voice-lessons.com