BALANCE IS THE KEY By Yvonne DeBandi

With so many vocal coaches now able to offer their services and information on the internet, there is a lot of material and a lot of different teaching styles to choose from. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge, or the amount of conflicting information. Approach singing the way you would any other topic you wanted to learn more about. Pick at least two or three educational programs from different authors on the same subject and begin to study and work with them.

Once you get started and the information you are studying begins to sink in, begin experimenting with your voice. Careful! Don't try too hard. Singing should be easy. Our bodies were designed to naturally create and amplify sounds, and the size and shape of our resonating cavities (and how we use them) is what gives us our own unique sound. Before you try sounding like your favorite recording artist, work to find your voice - your pure and natural voice. This is easily done by singing a simple "ah". Using this simple syllable work to apply the different concepts, ideas and techniques you have read about in your training material. From breathing to tone creation, from tone placement to mastering resonance.

Use your ears. What do you hear? Does it sound good to you?
Use your eyes (and a mirror). Are you relaxed? Singing should be (and look) easy.
Use your body. Are you supporting with your full instrument and airflow system?
Use your head. Are you thinking the notes in your head before you sing them?

HOT TIP: You should feel very little and pay little attention to the actual movement and workings of your larynx or surrounding tissues. Concentrating on these areas tends to promote more tension, which is contrary to good vocal production. Instead, concentrate on accomplishing the other mechanics of singing (breathing, proper tone creation, support, etc.). Everything else generally falls right into place without specific attention.

Take the ideas you read about and (without straining or pushing your voice) try to take them to each extreme. For instance, if you are working on tone creation, practice making every single kind of tone - from nasal to rich and warm, from thin sounding to full sounding. Figuring out the physical actions it takes to make these different (and sometimes technically incorrect) tones, will also help you figure out how to correct them when they occur during performance. Our voices change over time, so learn to manipulate your overall vocal tone from the very beginning.

Once you have the understanding of the various actions that cause the changes in your singing tone, look for the balance that suits you both mechanically and stylistically. That balance is your goal. With the foundation of a pure and natural tone, and the proper state of balance, you can safely manipulate and adjust your singing voice to perform any vocal style like a pro.

Shape your sound the smart way, through good vocal habits, proper experimentation and regular vocal exercise.

Use all the tools available to you. There is a large selection of vocal training tools on the following site: http://SingerCity.com

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