Headaches when singing?

[ernstinen]

When I started getting "opera" vocal lessons in college, my teacher taught diapraghm breathing, and "belting out" the high chest voice. He would focus me on, let's say, a stop sign across the street outside of the window to teach "Projection." That may work for stage, but it's completely wrong, IMHO, for singing in a normal fashion. That kind of pressure can give you headaches, no doubt about it!

I moved to L.A., and most singers were talking about "Seth Riggs" and his method. It taught total relaxation, in comparison to the "old school" tension method. Made sense to me, and I took lessons from a Riggs' protege' --- Wow, what a difference! Tension is your enemy, and can cause headaches from muscles everywhere in your body from the head down to the navel!

HTH,

Ern

[hummingbird]

It's hard to give a proper assessment without seeing the singer.... if you have or are willing to make a video of yourself singing I might have some suggestions (you can make it private on youtube and PM me address)

cheers
H

[marcblack30]

It's hard to give a proper assessment without seeing the singer.... if you have or are willing to make a video of yourself singing I might have some suggestions (you can make it private on youtube and PM me address)

cheers
H

thanks Vikki!
pm sent

[cardell]

...also Seth Riggs Speech level singing is pretty amazing.

YES! This technique will change your [singing] life. It's like 'the worst kept secret' of singing. Have a look...

http://www.sethriggs.com/

Stuart

[coachdebra]

*Coachdebra- I live in Chicago. I'll give give the visualization a try.

My aunt - a classical pianist and former prof at Chicago conservatory of music may have some vocal teacher recommendations. If you want, I can ask.

Debra

[ernstinen]

...also Seth Riggs Speech level singing is pretty amazing.

YES! This technique will change your [singing] life. It's like 'the worst kept secret' of singing. Have a look...

http://www.sethriggs.com/

Stuart

Ha! Someone agrees with me!

When I watch Stevie Wonder sing, it's obvious that he's been with Seth Riggs. Lessons with Seth will cost you a new BMW, but there ARE CDs and a book that goes with it. I basically warmed up for gigs using his method, and the difference was amazing.

Another friend, also a front man for a band, started this routine, and in 3 months sang 10x better than he had before. It was astonishing the improvement he had in such a short time! Once you "get" what the method is all about, learning it with your own voice, the light bulb goes on!

Ern

[marcblack30]

...also Seth Riggs Speech level singing is pretty amazing.

YES! This technique will change your [singing] life. It's like 'the worst kept secret' of singing. Have a look...

http://www.sethriggs.com/

Stuart

Ha! Someone agrees with me!

When I watch Stevie Wonder sing, it's obvious that he's been with Seth Riggs. Lessons with Seth will cost you a new BMW, but there ARE CDs and a book that goes with it. I basically warmed up for gigs using his method, and the difference was amazing.

Another friend, also a front man for a band, started this routine, and in 3 months sang 10x better than he had before. It was astonishing the improvement he had in such a short time! Once you "get" what the method is all about, learning it with your own voice, the light bulb goes on!

Ern

Yeah, this looks great! I found and ran through a couple of the exercises on youtube and I am intrigued.
Any improvement would be awesome!

[marcblack30]

*Coachdebra- I live in Chicago. I'll give give the visualization a try.

My aunt - a classical pianist and former prof at Chicago conservatory of music may have some vocal teacher recommendations. If you want, I can ask.

Debra

Debra, I appreciate it but don't go through the trouble, I think I'll get a book, maybe Seth's program and give that a go first.
Thanks again.

[wta]

Hey Marc, I used to have similar issues and got vox lessons from Jamie Vendera, he was suggested to me by Myles Kennedy (Vocalist for Alter Bridge). He's got a great book and recorded lessons for about $20 and I totally recommend them, I doubled my range in about six months. Biggest thing is regular scales that include the top notes of course on a daily basis. Often we over stess when going for notes that are high and not what we typically practice or sing and that stress is the range killer and headache causer... Unless you have a tumour of course... KIDDING, reminds me of the movie Kindergarden Cop were ARny Swartawhatevertheheck is telling these kids they were giving him a headache and this cute little kid replies, "I think you have a tumour" and Arny YELLS back, "IT"S NOT A TOOOMAAAAR" in that accent of his... PRICELESS!!!

[gongchime]

Japanese princess and wta have very good advice. Also consider a humidifier for dry climates for the room where you practice and even on the stage when/where you perform. Moisture makes a huge difference.