Added 1/11/09

Q: Hello Rae, how are you?

I stumbled across youtube and saWWw your video. I think it's great. I am 30 yrs old, smoker, and very active in sports. I can't sing at all, but would like to try and improve. I don't know the basic, so I was wondering what would be a good advice for someone like me? How would I get started, and what be the most effective way to sing?

Thank you!

Su Ngo

Hi Su! Im great thanks!

Its a common perplexity for many people starting out, to do exactly that - START! After all, where DO you start?

I always advertise that the best place to start is within yourself. Trust that you are not the only one who hasn't had any formal singing training and let that be an 'OK' thing. Saying that you 'can't sing at all' is not the most accurate way to describe your singing capabilities. Saying that - 'I can't YET sing like the professionals I look up to' - might be! As I've said before, until we learn a skill, we should not expect ourselves to be a master of it.

So Su, an excellent place to start - after you realize that you're so much more capable than you give yourself credit for - is some free videos that will take you through the basics. My video series 'Tips & Tricks' will guide you through the art of taking a good breath and being able to use it to enhance your vocal control and quality, then move on through the series once you grasp the ideas.

Take it slow, there's no rush and you cannot do it 'wrong'. After all, learning new things is fun and can only bring about positive changes!

All the very best.

Added 1/11/09

Q: Hi, Rae!

I have a question: My friends and I are all 13, and we have formed a singing group. Me and one of my friends in the group both have the highest ranges-and we're probably the best out of us four. The other two are fairly shy, and have ranges that don't go too high, and don't go too low. We all need some practice. But I have a problem: the two shy ones HAVE voices, but they just won't sing loud enough, and they have no perform *sparkle* or whatever you'd like to call it about them. I love performing and singing. I also play the piano and guitar. None of them play anything except a little piano, guitar, and viola. Could you give me any tips on how to organize this whole thing, and maybe some songs for an unexperienced all girl foursome? I have some video's of me singing on Youtube under Thetolkienfreak. Feel free to check them out. Thanks for your time :)

A: WOW Chloe! Is that really you singing on YouTube? You sound very mature for just 13yrs!

OK, firstly, ask yourself why the four of you, in particular, came together to sing...Do you all have the same goals? If so, what IS the goal? If not, perhaps you could build a foundation based apon a mutual goal that fits the individual directions of each of you...

The next thing to assess is whether the music that you are all singing is going to allow each singer to express themselves in a way that represents who they are. Are their voices AND personalities 'currently' suited to the style?

Each of us have a unique sound and, as in your case, we can also have different degrees of skill in executing that, depending on our training, natural affinity with the tools of expression we possess and will to do so in public.

Before you choose any music, define and in a very general manner, categorize each voice with an emotion, colour or texture. This will help determine which voices suits which harmonies, keys, pitches and styles of music. For example, a person who has a light, breathy or under-developed vocal tone, may suit a lilting upper harmony singing lots of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs'. This sound would also be pretty as an echo or 'response' in a call/response song. It could also be a voice that could sing lullabye type music or perhaps some folk tunes - maybe even some spoken phrases??...

Here's an interesting link for info on Singing in Harmony:

http://blog.pandora.com/archives/podcast/2006/11/this_is_my_firs.html

It will also give you some good ideas on repertoire!

Added 1/11/09

A: Hi Amy, thanks for your questions...

The soft palate is the muscle or 'sheath' of skin that hoods the back of the roof of your mouth. If you look in the mirror whilst yawning, you will notice that the soft palate rises along with the uvula (dangly thing in the middle lol) and allows the opening at the back of the mouth to enlarge so that greater amounts of air can pass through into the body. When singing, raising the soft palate gently, allows for a more rich and full tone to be produced. An unraised soft palate can result in a 'hooty' sound that is lacking in energy and vitality.

With regard to tension in the jaw area, you may want to experiment with a relaxation exercise such as this:

Relax your shoulders. With head held back comfortably (avoid this exercise if your have neck problems) let your jaw relax and drop open, your mouth open. Feel your tongue completely relax. Pretend you are sleeping on a couch with your mouth open. Now pick your head back up and keep your mouth in this relaxed and open position for a few seconds, noting how relaxed it feels. In singing or speaking, the jaw should always open back and down in this relaxed way, never force it down with your jaw muscles as this causes tension in the jaw and tongue. Instead when you 'open' your jaw, think of 'releasing' it.

Added 2/10/09

A: Hi Nimisha,

Hitting the higher notes is a combination of breath pressure, abdominal support and 'placement' (resonating the note/s in the right cavities). Although Im not sure what you mean by 'curves', I can tell you that by making sure the soft palate is slightly raised (see above) and practicing some 'sirening' exercises (make like you're a fire truck!), you will feel a greater ease in acheiving those high-energy, high-intensity sounds. Make sure you take a nice low breath before you begin! Come back weekly to check out some free videos and links on the 'Tips & Tricks page, for more lessons.

Added 2/10/09

Q: I am trying to get better at singing and being able to hear what I sound like. But the only way I can do that is by recording myself. Do you you know any other way I will be able to actually hear myself?

...Actually, you're already doing exactly what you should be doing - recording yourself! If you want to go one step further, perhaps you could take a video of yourself singing various different songs. This way you can not only hear yourself singing but you can also see what your face and body is doing. Take notes whilst listening/watching back through the footage and see if you can find ways of improving upon the things you are not happy or comfortable with. You will also be able to make decisions on what style and range suits you best.

All the best!

Added 2/10/09

The truth is that very few people are born with the natural ability to sing beautifully, naturally, without some form of training or refinement. Most of us, including myself, go through years of study to refine good vocal technique. Not many of us sound fabulous when we first begin taking lessons - I know I certainly didn't. All you need to have as a beginner, is the desire to sing and the passion to pursue it! Yes, it really is that simple.

Very few people, once again, are actually UNtrainable and most of the time it is due to medical conditions/restrictions.

If you have the dream in your heart, Vanessa, pursue that dream. After all, it's the joy of that pursuit that makes the journey worthwhile...

I say 'GO FOR IT'!!

Added 2/10/09

This is one of the most frequent and most important questions I am asked as a Singer and Teacher...

As I said above, unless you have a restrictive medical condition, it is possible for anyone with a desire to sing, to learn techniques that can improve vocal skill, sound and stability.

Commonly, the physical difference between a 'good singer and a bad singer', lies purely in the way they are producing the sound. We are all born with the perfect instrument for vocalising - after all, it is the one tool that all of us are born with, solely for the purposes of communication (even though we have developed other very valuable forms of communication such as sign language and body language etc). I digress...

In most cases, the reason your 'sound' (when singing) may not be a pleasant one to listen to, or a comfortable one to produce (physically), is perhaps that your 'technique' or the way you are approaching your singing, is the problem. This is a good thing though, don't be mislead, because technique can absolutely be taught!

I suggest, Sebastian, if you have a keen urge to sing, you should find yourself a singing teacher! If you can't afford one, perhaps you could start with 'The Essential Voice - Vocal Training Program' (coming soon in 2009). You can also check out the 'Tips & Tricks' page here at RaeHenry.com, for free tips and advice on healthy, enjoyable singing!

Have fun!

Added 9/10/09