Vocal Training

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Doesn't it really all depend on what sound a singer is trying to create with their voice? As vocal artists, we have more ego attached to the sound of our own voice than most instrument-only musicians have. But as Taxi members, doesn't the greatest success come when we learn how to tailor our skills to listings? I would suggest, many great vocalists on here have had many moments when they wish they could go after listings that are outside of their comfort zone, or usual singing techniques. Cats like Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart would seem to be a lot more prone to irreparable damage, and the tone of their voices really reflects that. But if I could personally choose who's voice would help my writing career, then those are the guys I would emulate. Squids makes reference to the blues singers who purposely damage their voices to get a certain kind of tone. Howlin' Wolf comes to mind, hehe. I've seen it many times. A young gun smokes, hangs in smokey nightclubs, drinks beer & scotch to lubricate his voice, and all of those things are deplorable to most singing teachers. But to me, as writer/producer/band guy, that is the sound I most love to work with. (And why I love Bill Gaunce's voice so much) So when I get clients, of parents who are looking for vocal teachers, I'm very careful to direct them towards teachers whose personalities mirror the students wishes (and the parents). I look it as the same thing as teaching an instrument, like guitar. Teach what the student is looking to create, or the student gets bored and leaves. My whole concept of teaching music, is about enrolling a student of music, into wanting to keep learning and experiencing. All of us on here have to learn keyboards and how to imitate instruments with our libraries. It doesn't matter whatsoever if you have great keyboard technique, unless you're trying to play legit piano stuff that requires it. When I need new information, I always use a combination of reading, AND talking with someone who has a personal relationship/experience with me, to help. So a CD or DVD, would be a great thing to help my voice personally, but it could never replace face to face help from a very qualified coach. I remember this awesome story about the drummer of Fleetwood Mac. He was asked in an interview what his practice regimen is, and who his inspirational drummers are. He responded by saying, he has no practice techniques, and has no desire to change or learn anything new whatsoever. Because he's played on a bunch of records that sold millions, he felt that learning anything new, could actually get in the way. And truthfully, from my perspective, I understand that point of view perfectly. Why should he change what he does, when it already works perfectly? Another great singer I used to work with, would gargle Tabasco sauce when she had a cold. Who am I to tell her that was wrong? She thought it was effective, and it got her thru some shows, when her voice was less than healthy. When there's an audience who've paid good money to see the high diving act, who wants to cancel? Sometimes there isn't anything to fix, except confidence. Whatever gets you there, is worth investigating. But this forum has lots of new people that show up, think they have something really special to offer, and then begin telling us about their product. I usually tell them to get lost. But in your case, ajenkz, I didn't get that you were trying to sell, more than you were trying to share. Using the CD/DVD to warm up backstage, is pretty brilliant if you ask me. I've often been jealous of guitar players who can simply walk around with their instrument, before shows, getting all warmed up and at one with their hands and instruments. Piano players don not have that luxury, unless it's a big show or tour, with all kinds of stuff backstage. There are many paths to enlightenment. Another way to say that, is there's lotta different ways to skin a cat. Both sentences say the same thing, but cause different reactions in the reader. This thread just shows us how personal that learning is. If you are good enough to need to warm up backstage or driving to a gig then the chances are you have memorized a good set of vocal exercises already and unless you have perfect pitch,all you need is a tuning fork for a first note reference.I strongly advise against doing this while driving if there are any police in the area but seriously though,if you are listening to a CD you are not listening to the condition of your own voice properly.

[ggalen]

Quote:[quote author=ajenkz board=general thread=1200526625 post=1200770045]I don't think arguing with Vikki will win you any friends here or more importantly as far as you are concerned, customers.Oh, I think ajenkz has been quite civil. I'm not offended or down on him in the least. Hummingbird offered her strong disagreement on what he wants to do. That turned it into a debate.Clearly Hummingbird feels very strongly that all vocal training should only be done one-on-one with a competent voice trainer.Ajkenz believes differently. Fair enough, as far as I am concerned.I see two vocal teachers offering two types of teaching approaches. One doesn't like what the other is doing, and said so.My guess is that when we hear ajenkz sing, he'll sound pretty good!

[billg]

The doctor told me that I have nodes on my nodes. (hey Squids, glad your voice is back!)

[squids]

Quote:The doctor told me that I have nodes on my nodes. (hey Squids, glad your voice is back!)I think we have the same doctor.

[hummingbird]

Quote:Quote:[quote author=ajenkz board=general thread=1200526625 post=1200770045]I don't think arguing with Vikki will win you any friends here or more importantly as far as you are concerned, customers.Oh, I think ajenkz has been quite civil. I'm not offended or down on him in the least. Hummingbird offered her strong disagreement on what he wants to do. That turned it into a debate.Clearly Hummingbird feels very strongly that all vocal training should only be done one-on-one with a competent voice trainer.Ajkenz believes differently. Fair enough, as far as I am concerned.I see two vocal teachers offering two types of teaching approaches. One doesn't like what the other is doing, and said so.My guess is that when we hear ajenkz sing, he'll sound pretty good!Let's make this very clear - I ONLY thing I said is that I don't agree with the DELIVERY METHOD of CDs & books and DVDs. I gave my reasons why I feel that approach can lead to further difficulties & the building of bad habits. Yes, that is my opinion - and that is why, even though I have been asked more than once, I will never write a book on 'the method of singing according to Hummingbird' or make CDs/mp3s of voice exercises unless we are recording the lesson I am teaching in the moment for the student to take home & work with. Ajkenz actually agrees with me to a certain extent, in that those who cannot sing could get further astray by using such tools without personal instruction, that's why he goes so far as to offer personal consultation as well as mp3s.It seems to me that Ajkenz & I agree, in-person is best, although we both know that many people can't afford that or are not interested in that approach. We also agree that many voice teachers unfortunately don't know what they are doing & students suffer the consequences. That potentially means that not only might a student get misdirected in in-person lessons, that they may also achieve misunderstanding through buying CDs & DVDs from such teachers. Lastly, I think we both agree that IF you are looking for a singing teacher, you should look for one that fits *you*, the student, and not someone who worships their method & forces it on you. Seems to me that's a whole lot of agreeing as part of a healthy discussion

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Quote:[quote author=ajenkz board=general thread=1200526625 post=1200770045]I don't think arguing with Vikki will win you any friends here or more importantly as far as you are concerned, customers.Oh, I think ajenkz has been quite civil. I'm not offended or down on him in the least. Hummingbird offered her strong disagreement on what he wants to do. That turned it into a debate.Clearly Hummingbird feels very strongly that all vocal training should only be done one-on-one with a competent voice trainer.Ajkenz believes differently. Fair enough, as far as I am concerned.I see two vocal teachers offering two types of teaching approaches. One doesn't like what the other is doing, and said so.<quote>My guess is that when we hear ajenkz sing, he'll sound pretty good!</quote>My guess is we will NEVER hear ajenkz sing!If he's THAT good why have we heard about him through the TAXI message board?Maybe,I missed something and he has been all over the TV and Radio in which case I apologize to him. and yes he has been civil,I am sure he is a very nice young man but behind all his rhetoric he is trying to sell a product.That's why I posted the definition of selling,he is offering something in exchange for money and last time I looked that was called selling.Anyway,I am off to practice my vocalizing,all those consonants are getting stuck in my teeth!

[Casey H]

Quote:My guess is we will NEVER hear ajenkz sing!A duet with Johnny would be nice...

[ajenkz]

Just uploaded a very short a cappella mp3 onto my Taxi Hosting account. Even though im still sick, everyone keeps asking for something so here it is. Not perfect or anything special by any means and its the first time ive sung in a week, but it will show you all that I at least have a voice http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?artist=austin

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Just uploaded a very short a cappella mp3 onto my Taxi Hosting account. Even though im still sick, everyone keeps asking for something so here it is. Not perfect or anything special by any means and its the first time ive sung in a week, but it will show you all that I at least have a voice http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... austinWell Austin,you certainly proved me wrong!!!Theirs the voice in all it's glory.Also you picked one of my favorite Motown tracks so I think your choice of material is excellent.I won't comment on the vocal because I don't think that would be helpful.Best of luck in your in your work.J

[andreh]

Quote:Just uploaded a very short a cappella mp3 onto my Taxi Hosting account. Even though im still sick, everyone keeps asking for something so here it is. Not perfect or anything special by any means and its the first time ive sung in a week, but it will show you all that I at least have a voice http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... stinBefore everyone chimes in with their critique of your voice, I'll add that an effective teacher isn't necessarily a master of what he or she is teaching.The ability to help another be an excellent player or performer is what defines a great music teacher in my view, whether that can happen via personal training, a series of articles, or even a web forum...André