Wewus432 Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 I've been playing the Maia Sharp CD in my car a lot and I noticed I can sing all the parts about an octave below her so I've been using that as a vocal exercise. I'm not even sure what my range is but I know I'd like it to be wider. I know there are singers out there who can cover 4 or 5 octaves, that would be really cool to be able to do that but probably not possible for most people. Got any range extension tips?
jeffbayson Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 This is the obvious answer, and probably not the answer you're looking for, but I have to say it anyway... Lessons. I took vocal lessons for five months, and they increased my range, power and tone immensely. There's absolutely no way I could have done it by myself. My teacher tailored the exercises to my voice and corrected problems. I would have kept making the same mistakes if he were not there to correct them. Furthermore, going to see him every week gave me an incentive to practice diligently (otherwise, I told myself, why should I be wasting all of this money on lessons?). Perhaps you're just looking for some exercises you can do on your own, without a teacher. If so, I'm sure there are many vocal exercise books & CD's that you could find for this purpose. But nothing beats a real instructor.
Tim Mayock Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 I just took a vocal lesson last night I barter a vocal lesson for studio time. I also made a midi practice file It's an acoustic piano sound playing scales each scale goes up a 1/2 step, within my range with maybe a extra scale past my comfort level either way. My teacher gave me several different intervals and different vowel and consanants to apply to these as well as staccato and legato notes. I agree, you can't beat a teacher, but this practice file makes it easy for me to practice scales standing up away from the keyboard. Yoga also helps http://www.themayocks.com Hear The Mayocks on Rhapsody and Itunes
Tedster Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 First off...I'd recommend smokers to stop. Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers has managed to maintain a relatively high voice throughout the years. His tip was to exercise your voice constantly, keep singing. I think another thing that a lot of people do, but keep a closely guarded secret, is exercise that grey area between natural voice and falsetto. Falsetto can be pleasing, if the transition is smooth (without vocal cracks) and not harsh and screechy. But it's a technique I've only heard about, and not really explored myself. There was a topic a few months ago as to why some black singers tend to sound better at falsetto than whites...and I don't think it's necessarily a racial thing. I think it's because a lot of the R&B singers have worked on it more, due to the role models they were following, and have perfected it more than most white singers. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
Kendrix Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 Vocal range has mostly to do with the muscles involved. Just like any muscles they can be strengthened with exercise. I own a casette based set of exercises that, amongst other things, include workouts aimed at extending range. They are boring repetitive things-kinda like doing vocal push ups. No pain no gain seems to apply. Just gaining an understanding/awareness of how these muscles work seems to help me to better control them. I also second Tedsters point about smoking.- Staying well hydrated is also key. Check out some tunes here: http://www.garageband.com/artist/KenFava
PBBPaul Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Kendrix: [b]Vocal range has mostly to do with the muscles involved. Just like any muscles they can be strengthened with exercise. I own a casette based set of exercises that, amongst other things, include workouts aimed at extending range. They are boring repetitive things-kinda like doing vocal push ups. No pain no gain seems to apply. Just gaining an understanding/awareness of how these muscles work seems to help me to better control them. I also second Tedsters point about smoking.- Staying well hydrated is also key.[/b][/quote]I was just about to say all of the above. I strained my throat muscle a while back and had my sister give me some throat muscle exercises to get my range back. Like any muscular exercise, make sure you stretch (not your range, but the actual muscles) before and after. Our new and improved website Today's sample tune: Lonesome One
doug osborne Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Tedster: [QB]First off...I'd recommend smokers to stop. Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers has managed to maintain a relatively high voice throughout the years. His tip was to exercise your voice constantly, keep singing. I think another thing that a lot of people do, but keep a closely guarded secret, is exercise that grey area between natural voice and falsetto. Falsetto can be pleasing, if the transition is smooth (without vocal cracks) and not harsh and screechy. ...QB][/quote]You are right on the money, Tedster. Also, drink a lot of water! Do yoga or other stretching/relaxation exercises. Or get two nose jobs like MJ :D Doug Osborne Doug Osborne Music on Bandcamp
Gtoledo3 Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 A good vocal book/cd course is the Seth Riggs method. He's been a coach to just about anyone you can name, from Stevie Wonder on. His method is pretty focused on connecting your main range to your falsetto...basically allowing you to sing any note over your entire range with maximum force and without strain. Want mix/tracking feedback? Checkout "The Fade"- www.grand-designs.cc/mmforum/index.php The soon-to-be home of the "12 Bar-Blues Project"
AEW Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 Well everything mentioned so far helps perfecting singing, but the biggy is a vocal coach. But just to get you started: 1. Keep the strain off your throat area. This area is for tone only. 2. Force (projection), pressure, breath (in and out)is all controlled by the diaphragm (similar to bag pipes). 3. Resonation should be positioned at the area at the back of the mouth/nose/behind the eyes not lower throat. 4. When projecting.....open your mouth wide. This is where your diaphragm control plays a huge part. 5. BREATHING. This is a biggy. The normal way when people take a deep breath is raise the higher front part of the chest.no....no....no. When you take a breath for singing no matter what amount, it's all done down low, expanding out side ways and from the rear under your arms. This will take time to perfect and probably change your body shape. 6. NOW for the big note your going for, well out of your range.....TAKE A BIG BREATH using the technic mention above. Good luck Nick
Jotown Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Tedster: [b]First off...I'd recommend smokers to stop. Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers has managed to maintain a relatively high voice throughout the years. His tip was to exercise your voice constantly, keep singing. [/b][/quote]Very good advice Tedster. Around 9 years ago, I started working solo, most of the time. I pretty much work 5 nights per week year round. Working without a band, and other vocalists means that I will regularly sing 40+ songs every night. My voice is stronger and more controlled than it's ever been, due to all of the singing I do. Good technique is important, good stage volume and good monitoring is a must. But the bottom line is: Sing, sing, sing, sing....and then sing some more. Jotown:) "It's all good: Except when it's Great"
michael saulnier Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 Michael Jackson told us last night that "my nose surgery helps me to hit higher notes"... Perhaps you could try THAT! :freak: guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com
henrysb3 Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 I hope that MJ's surgery only gets him to higher notes and not balconies. Increasing your vocal range and making better use of your existing range is a conditioning process and should proceed slowly to get the best results. The arpeggio and octave exercises - the la-la-la-la-la-la stuff I remember hearing on old Marx Brothers movies - work really well. As previously mentioned, you work them up and down in half-step increments until you reach the edge of your range, then you go back the other direction. Just don't push too hard. It'll come. I'm getting ready to strengthen my trumpet lip after a six week layoff, and I need to do it the same way, a little at a time. He not busy being born Is busy dyin'. ...Bob Dylan
Botch. Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 When I rejoined my current band about two years ago, we started doing the Eagles' "Seven Bridges Road" again (all four of us sing) with me trying to sing the bass part (all of us are baritones). I could hit it when I was with them the first time, but couldn't do it anymore. I then realized it was because I had gone to performing sitting down, not standing up (plantar fasciitis in the feet, now mostly gone). Now that I'm standing while I play again, my range came back a little bit. Posture, pushing enough AIR through your throat, and good monitoring all help. Botch "Eccentric language often is symptomatic of peculiar thinking" - George Will www.puddlestone.net
Tedster Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by guitplayer: [b]Michael Jackson told us last night that "my nose surgery helps me to hit higher notes"... Perhaps you could try THAT! :freak: guitplayer[/b][/quote]Actually, as weird as it sounds, it might have a basis in truth...in that I believe the sinuses have a huge part in how your voice sounds. Some (Bob Dylan, Tom Petty) more than others :D ...but some people just won't ever be able to hit high notes, because it's not the way they're made. Just like some people won't ever be able to hit bass notes like those guys in the Statler Brothers or Oak Ridge Boys. Not to say with work you won't be able to improve your range...but, I'll never run a four minute mile, either. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
DC Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by GT3: [b]A good vocal book/cd course is the Seth Riggs method. He's been a coach to just about anyone you can name, from Stevie Wonder on. His method is pretty focused on connecting your main range to your falsetto...basically allowing you to sing any note over your entire range with maximum force and without strain.[/b][/quote]My best musical buddy got that Seth course. He definately improved his range with it. As far as Jacko and his nose goes, I have a theory... First look at MJ profile, and then look at that picture of Peter Pan he's got?! -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse
Wewus432 Posted February 8, 2003 Author Posted February 8, 2003 Thanks for the all the tips you guys, good thread, if I do say so myself. Michaeal Jackson got his characters mixed up, he looks exactly like Pinnochio to me.
patrick_dont_fret Posted February 8, 2003 Posted February 8, 2003 Tedster, you're absolutely right that sinuses have a big part of your voice. My sophomore English teacher had his sinuses done something to, and his voice was now more nasaly than before. And yes, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty both sound like that because of da herb. It has some effect on your sinuses, as well. Wewus, you could become a castrati, then you wouldn't have to worry about hitting those high notes (that's really what MJ did). As for me, I sound like Eddie Vedder, sometimes even lower. Of course, I can also get that Dave Matthews-esque sound too, but I prefer to stay low...
Tedster Posted February 9, 2003 Posted February 9, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by GT3: [b]A good vocal book/cd course is the Seth Riggs method. He's been a coach to just about anyone you can name, from Stevie Wonder on. His method is pretty focused on connecting your main range to your falsetto...basically allowing you to sing any note over your entire range with maximum force and without strain.[/b][/quote]Oohhh!!! I've gotta get that! I think that's something some people come by naturally...I would guess that perhaps, for example, Steve Winwood and Sting do it quite a bit, but if you haven't mastered it, you're gonna suck like Frankie Valli...CRY YI YI YI...(sorry Frankie) "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
Rog Posted February 9, 2003 Posted February 9, 2003 Any tips on extending your range down? I'm never going to be able to hit high notes. "That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." - Banky Edwards.
patrick_dont_fret Posted February 9, 2003 Posted February 9, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by Rog: [b]Any tips on extending your range down? I'm never going to be able to hit high notes.[/b][/quote]Loosen your throat muscles. I can hit those Issac Hayes notes pretty easily just by relaxing my throat. Then again, I'm already pretty low.
Tedster Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 And that's what's cool, that guys who sound like Barry White get the ladies' attention too, and, perhaps more than a lot of the eunuch-sounding screechers. (Barry White voice): "The lo-ove doctor is in..." "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
NOT Bolt Rifles Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by TheWewus: [b]I've been playing the Maia Sharp CD in my car a lot and I noticed I can sing all the parts about an octave below her so I've been using that as a vocal exercise. I'm not even sure what my range is but I know I'd like it to be wider. I know there are singers out there who can cover 4 or 5 octaves, that would be really cool to be able to do that but probably not possible for most people. Got any range extension tips?[/b][/quote]Try here. [url=http://www.storesonline.com/site/444991/page/65061]Free Vocal Lessons[/url] "Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." -- John Adams "I am a senior member, and thereby entilted to all the privileges and rights accorded said status" -- NBR
Skip_dup1 Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by TheWewus: [b]I've been playing the Maia Sharp CD in my car a lot and I noticed I can sing all the parts about an octave below her so I've been using that as a vocal exercise. I'm not even sure what my range is but I know I'd like it to be wider. I know there are singers out there who can cover 4 or 5 octaves, that would be really cool to be able to do that but probably not possible for most people. Got any range extension tips?[/b][/quote]Man, I LOVE that Maia Sharp CD. Lotsa good tips here. I would add, that especially before singing for real, avoid cold drinks. It seems obvious but people often forget, cold contracts. If you`re going to sing, have some tea, have something hot. Also avoid dairy-it builds mucous. No hot chocolate either.
Dave Pierce Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 [quote]Originally posted by skip: [b]I would add, that especially before singing for real, avoid cold drinks. It seems obvious but people often forget, cold contracts. If you`re going to sing, have some tea, have something hot. Also avoid dairy-it builds mucous. No hot chocolate either.[/b][/quote]You know, I never really thought about the reason why -- but I always like to grab a cup of coffee before the sets where I sing lead. Guess the ol' subconscious mind is smarter than I thought... ;) --Dave Make my funk the P-funk. I wants to get funked up. My Funk/Jam originals project: http://www.thefunkery.com/
ernest828 Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 Extending your voice range: Daily warmups should work on notes your comfortable with but you must stretch the voice as any muscle but do it slowly and one note at a time. I am a professional singer and teacher of voice, call me if you want more pointers: (718) 968-6969 It is very important that you do this correctly so you should have a teacher. Ernest
Dwarf Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 Wewus, good thread. I need to work on my voice a bit and the timing is perfect. You done good :) -- Rob I have the mind of a criminal genius.....I keep it in the freezer next to mother.
Tedster Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 Yeah, GREAT thread, Wewus. Voice can be so hard to pin down...and yet so important. Ernesto...I just may give you a call. I need all the help I can get! "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine"
Wewus432 Posted February 10, 2003 Author Posted February 10, 2003 There's some good information on here, plus an offer for free lessons, can't beat that, thanks Ernest. I guess you guys probably figured out by now my real reason for wanting to extend my range in so I can make dolphin sounds and communicate directly with them.
Throatsinger Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 If you REALLY wanna go nuts with you vocal range, visit my site at http://khoomei.com ;) Steve Steve Sklar http://khoomei.com http://www.bigskyrocks.com
ernest828 Posted February 10, 2003 Posted February 10, 2003 Hey Guys, I`m not offering free lessons but I will give you some direction. All I need to do is get some info and if you can sing over the phone I can actually give you some pointers with what you need to work on. Believe me I have no intention of giving Free lessons because it surely cost me thousands of dollars over the years to get my lessons from one of the best known teachers in the opera world. BTW- Don`t think that opera training is not going to work for rock. I am capable of singing anything because of the training regime. I don`t scream as is called for in some genres, I sing. Theres a difference. So you singers may want to get some training in opera. Peace, Ernest
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.