#OnRepeat: Gregory Porter's "Liquid Spirit"

For this Thursday's #OnRepeat post, I want to talk about an artist that is not only playing on repeat on my phone constantly, but has also inspired me greatly as a performer, singer and musician. Gregory Porter's Grammy-Award-winning album, "Liquid Spirit", is the third of his albums and the most well-written of the three. This baritone singer mixes Jazz, Soul, Funk and R&B in his music and his tone is reminiscent of Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers, with all the warmth and charisma of Nat King Cole.

One of the songs on this album that I honestly can't get enough of is the title track off the album, "Liquid Spirit." The song showcases Porter's hard-hitting, powerful side of his vocal ability while displaying musically his gospel influence. The lyrics are attention-grabbing, catchy and poignant all at the same time.

I love it when musicians don't stick to traditional song form and use simplistic lyrics to get a message across. This is especially true with Gregory Porter's "Hey Laura." He repeats one verse over and over, but the message of a man not quite understanding that the woman he loves doesn't love him anymore becomes even more heart-breaking as the song continues. The music imitates his sense of being stuck in the past and his isolation as he comes to the realization that his love has moved on. It's a truly a great song.

"No Love Dying" has to be mentioned also because of the message it conveys. I am also very partial to this song because this is the song that gave me my "shooting star" moment (from a earlier blog post about influences) and also made me weep like a woman watching a soap opera. There is so much belief for deep, unbreakable love in this song and this particular video really shows how Gregory Porter can fill the space with his presence, even with just two musicians in the room.

Gregory Porter is truly a wonder to behold. Whenever I have seen him perform, he puts everything he is into his music. He connects with his audience just by doing what he knows how to do and enjoys every second of what he does. He is purely genuine and his music reflects that. The next time you get an opportunity to see him perform live, go. You will not be disappointed.

Feel free to suggest any other artists or bands to check out in the comments below!

Projection & Vocal Placement

Have you ever been at a concert, musical or watched a live band perform and heard someone--or even yourself--saying, "I can't hear what's going on up onstage," or "What is he/she saying?" This is one of the many things that I tend to watch for when watching a singer perform live: their ability to project.

My first humbling experience with this aspect of singing was during my undergraduate years, watching many classically trained vocalists fill the music auditoriums with their voices. No microphones anywhere and yet it sounded as though they were a foot away from me. It amazed me how they could have that much power and not even seem out of breath. Although I did not take much of the classical repertoire with me when I graduated (two or three songs at the most), that experience still says with me and the search for how to expand that aspect of my voice continues.

Projection is the ability to control the volume, clarity and distinctness of a voice to gain greater audibility in both musical and non-musical situations. This is a definition that I have heard time and time again and I find every aspect of it to be true. Technological advancement has made the microphone to many singers, actors and public speakers a substitute for projection or vocal power, but I also believe that the microphone can amplify any weakness that a vocalist may have.

Vocal Placement

When developing vocal power or projection, it is important to understand how to place your voice to create a big, bright sound when singing. Good vocal placement can be identified by performing the simple task of humming. Humming allows you to feel where the sound that your producing is resonating or vibrating, whether that is in your cheeks, nose, nasal area or mouth. When practicing this exercise, focus on trying to form the sound into a more pointed, forward direction.

You can also try the exercise of "throwing" your voice. Imagine that you are across the street somewhere and you see your brother or sister walking on the other side. You want to grab their attention so you have to be loud, but you also don't want to scare them away so you can't scream either ( I wouldn't recommend screaming for singers anyway because you can really damage your vocal chords). I usually call this exercise "hey" and I tend to use it when my dogs are getting into trouble. Attach the word "hey" to the sound that you make while you are doing this exercise. The "h" on the beginning of the word, "hey", acts as a spring board mechanism to help you get more sound without physically straining your voice.

Belting

This is something that I myself have done in the past. Belting is singing higher notes in your own vocal range that are in a lower vocal position, usually using the middle voice with a relaxed jaw and throat. This differs for everyone though; what I consider a high note may not be high for the singer next to me who is a soprano. The sound that is produced usually feels and sounds heavier and is slightly grittier, to both the singer and audience.

Since this is a more difficult technique to perform, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is a beginning singer. This aspect of singing takes years to perfect and sometimes, even the experienced ones don't execute it properly all of the time. Anyone can seriously strain or damage their vocal chords if they don't have a vocal instructor who can pinpoint bad singing habits before attempting this technique.

Other Factors

It is also important to remember to practice and incorporate all other elements of proper vocal technique when attempting to improve vocal projection. Becoming conscious of your diaphragm, developing diaphragm strength, knowing your own vocal range and the dynamics of your own voice play huge factors in the usage of vocal projection. Failure to work on all of these different aspects can result in the straining or damage of your vocal chords and/ or throat. You have to remember that the voice is a very delicate instrument.

One other thing that must be stressed is knowing when to utilize vocal projection and when not to. I have met many singers who always belt or even yell when they reach a high note in a song; not knowing anything about dynamics. Practice the songs that you are learning to the point that you know them inside and out. Know where the song sits in your range and what message you are trying to portray to your audience. All of the practicing and experience in the world means nothing if you don't know how to convey messages to others correctly, whether because of wrong pitch, lack of air support or projection. Musicians were not made for playing to the walls, but for connecting to other people, after all.

#OnRepeat: Erykah Badu (Live)

Each Thursday I'll be talking about artists who have been stuck #OnRepeat--on my phone, computer, in the car, etc.--for the past week. This week I'll be talking about Erykah Badu.

 I've been listening to Erykah Badu since I got my hands on her album, Erykah Badu Live. Everyone knows about her first album, Baduizm, and I highly recommend it if you haven't listened to it, but I like this album more because of the live performance aspect. Almost every song on that album grooves hard and each song brings something different musically to the table. In all of her music, you can hear influences of Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye in the different inflections she uses when she sings. Her music also takes influences from Disco, Funk, R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop. Even though you would think there would be too much going on for the music to sound good, she mixes all of this together in such a tasty, smooth way that is both musically coherent and really pleasing to the ear. She has a wide vocal range, being able to belt out uncomfortable high notes one minute and bounce down to a mellow, simmering low note to match the groove underneath the next. I've always been very impressed with the versatility of her voice and the different sounds she is able to produce almost effortlessly--nasal, raspy and breathy tones or full, deep mellow notes while scatting or improvising.

One of my favorite songs by Erykah, is of course, "On & On". Erykah Badu is one of the few, in my opinion whose live performances are just as good, if not, sometimes better than her recorded music and sometimes the live performances are completely different from the original as well. This version of "On & On" isn't on the Erykah Badu Live album, but it has a particularly funky breakdown section and is definitely one to keep watching over and over.






Another song that I really like is "Apple Tree." It's such a provocative song and weaves well-known sayings into her lyrics, catching the attention of the listener. The main hook "If you don't wanna be down with me, then you don't wanna be from my apple tree." is catchy and rolls off the tongue, making it more likely for the song to get stuck in your head weeks later. She also quotes her own song "On & On" throughout the song, bringing the listener back to a familiar lyric within the song.

I also have to bring up a cover that Erykah does on this live album is "Boogie Nights/Jamaica Funk (Live)". Not only is it for nostalgic reasons that I recommend this medley--I grew up listening to the Mary Jane Girls and Tom Browne--but also because her versions of these two songs just groove so hard. Her voice has the versatility to cover the range of these two songs and the at-times, almost nasal-like quality of her voice fits the genre so well.

There are many other songs that I could mention--"Certainly", "Tyrone", "Ye Yo"--but I feel like these three from this album really demonstrate why this album has and continues to stay on repeat for me. Erykah Badu is incomparable, musically and artistically. 

If anyone has any suggestions for albums and/or artists to listen to, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Breathing Technique Basics

One of the essentials to learning how to sing is breathing technique. Breathing seems like such a autonomous thing--something you've been doing since birth--so why do you need to worry about it? Well, the way that most people breathe, and think about breathing, is not necessarily an efficient way for singing; and if you want to sing correctly--meaning get the most sound without physically hurting yourself--you need to have proper breath control.

Re-Learning Breathing

You read that right. Since you inhale and exhale air without thinking, we have to train you to get your body off autopilot and push yourself to actually be conscious of what your body is doing and how it reacts during this whole process. Normal breathing involves shallow inhalation and exhalation of air-- many people's shoulders and chest will rise up and down as a result. However, proper breathing technique is breathing that utilizes the diaphragm. Shoulders and chest remain steady while your stomach appears to move in and out (similar to the inflation of a balloon) throughout the process.

A common misconception is that singers use their "tummies" or "stomachs" to sing. This appears to be true from the outside, but on the inside of the body, it is the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large muscle that stretches across the bottom of the rib cage, separating the organs in the lower abdomen from the heart and lungs. When you breathe, the diaphragm flattens and contracts, pushing air into and out of the lungs. When you sing, the diaphragm flattens deeper than in normal breathing and is maintained in this position to control the stream of air that is released across the vocal chords to create sound. Learning to preserve a small amount of air in the lungs used to support air released across the vocal chords to produce sound is known as breath control for singers.

Posture

Proper posture goes hand in hand with breathing technique. Good posture allows you to take deep, full breaths that allow you to hit high or low notes and flow through long phrases in a song. When practicing breathing technique (or any other type of vocal exercise), stand upright with your feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides. Your knees shouldn't be locked; this allows you to do what I call-- and what some of my other vocal instructors have referred to as--"rooting yourself", which refers to a sensation you get when you firmly press your feet into the floor, engaging your leg muscles and bringing all of your weight down to the lower half of your body so as to let the energy and sound flow out your top. All of music is energy and this is especially true when singing and practicing breathing technique. Your head should be upright with your chin parallel to the floor and make sure that your shoulders are slightly back to prevent slouching. Your stance should look similar to the picture below on the right ( labeled "Proper Posture"). The pictures below give examples of the differences between poor and proper posture for learning and practicing breathing technique, along with singing.

I recommend some light stretching before beginning so as to loosen up--any tension or slouching in the body will keep you from getting your full amount of air support for exercises.

Basic Exercises

There are some basic exercises to help you become more aware of your breath and practice breath control. It is normal to yawn a lot when first starting these exercises--your body is getting accustomed to the amount of air you are taking in. Just like with anything, these exercises, along with others you may come across, should be practiced on a daily basis in order to see improvement.

1. Breathing in for the count of 5 and breathing out for the count of 10. The goal of this exercise is to control the air that you take in and breath out for the duration of time without inhaling too quickly or running out of air while exhaling. You can do this exercise at least 5 times, but try to change the intervals. You should be able to comfortably progress to breathing in for the count of 8, holding your breath for the count of 5 and breathing out for the count of 12. Also, try to change the sound that you make while exhaling into a "shh" sound to challenge yourself further.

2. Trying to lift a book with your stomach. This simple exercise helps you to see how much (or how little) air you take in when you breath with your diaphragm. Lying on your back on the floor, place a small book on your stomach and begin to inhale and exhale. When you inhale, your abdomen should rise, looking slightly like a balloon, making the book rise. When you exhale, your abdomen should flatten, making the book come back down.

3. The "Ha-Ha" or "Shh" Exercise. This exercise is a variation of the first exercise. The goal of the exercise is, again, to control the air that you inhale and exhale for a certain duration of time without inhaling too quickly or running out of air while exhaling, except that at the end you must utilize the air your exhaling to make actual sounds. Breath in for the count of 5 and breath out for the count of 10, saying "ha-ha-ha" as if you were laughing, but on the last "ha", you sustain it, holding it for the remaining duration of time. You can also do this on a "shh" sound. This is another exercise that utilizes and forces you to become conscious of your diaphragm.

While doing these exercises, you can put one of your hands on your chest and another hand on your side. If the hand on your chest rises and falls, then you should try the exercise again. Your goal is to try to keep your chest steady while you breath. The more your chest moves, the more shallow breaths you are taking. The other hand on your side is an indicator for how your abdomen and back participate in breath control (yes, even part of your back expands and flattens when you breathe).

This post is just the start to many other posts about vocal technique, performance and breath technique. One can't master something as extensive as breath control over night--it takes years of study and even then there are techniques that you haven't heard of, different approaches or ways of thinking that you've yet to be exposed to. Hopefully, this helps some of you out there though that are willing to learn and/or want to improve their skills to be better able to sing more efficiently. If anyone out there has any other tips or exercises to improve breathing technique, please feel free to leave comment below!

The Benefits of Singing

Ever since I can remember, I have been singing. I'm 26 years old now; that's a long time to be doing anything. So sometimes I forget how beneficial the act of singing can be. This was the subject of a recent question that was posted: "how could singing benefit someone who isn't necessarily a musician or musically-inclined, but loves music?"

I always say that everyone should learn how to play an instrument. The experience is enriching and teaches you many life lessons along the way. I have found myself more alert and attentive when at work, during class, or just doing everyday chores around the house after practicing or listening to music. More focus contributes to better results in everything that you do, and who doesn't want that?

Learning an instrument has also taught me the art of failure--when you make mistakes or fail, you learn from them, improve and move on. This is something that took me a long time to figure out. I talked about in the last blog post, but it really holds true in every aspect of your life. Sometimes, even after I would prepare for months ahead of time for a recital or gig, during the actual performance--whether because of nerves, a mistake made from another band member or forgotten lyrics--I would fail to execute everything that I had planned to do on stage. Afterwards, I would walk away feeling horrible for weeks, not being able to get over the performance. Eventually, I would learn that sometimes you can't plan for everything and that the more experience you gain, the more you learn how to deal with unplanned circumstances, making you less likely to fail in the future. Making mistakes and being aware of them, allows you to either improve what you did before or change your approach completely. The second, third or fourth time around could be better than your original intention.

Discipline is something that also naturally develops when you learn an instrument. I make sure that I try to set aside 1-2 hours a day for practice; it helps to add structure to my day, helping me to feel and be more productive. In that rhythm of practicing, I was able to start setting goals (both big and small) for myself to accomplish. However, just like anything else in life, if you want to see yourself achieve goals, you must put in the time and work necessary to get there. There is no way to skip practicing. After going two days without really sitting down and getting in good practice time, I always feel like I haven't exercised for a week--this is muscle memory, after all. From this ongoing experience, sprouts good work ethic.

Singing, in particular, is also meditative in nature. Practicing breathing exercises--even the simple "inhale and exhale for count of ten"--is similar to practicing something that's done in yoga and meditation classes. I always stretch as well (which is recommended) because if there is any tension in the body, it is immediately heard in the vocal chords. I always walk out of lessons, with my own vocal instructor or my students, feeling way more relaxed and physically loose. If you're anything like me, it's also freeing to just be singing good music, whether up on stage, rehearsal or by myself. 

One of the main things I notice with people who learn an instrument--singing, piano, drums or anything else--is how much more they appreciate music when they hear it or see it being played. After taking voice lessons and studying music during my undergrad years, those scat lines on Ella Fitzgerald tunes seem so much more elaborate, the melodic phrasing of Miles Davis seems that much more profound to me than they were before. My musical taste (what genres I prefer to listen to and what elements in the music I enjoy the most) has changed a lot as well. This is not a good or bad thing; it is all a part of the growing process. We discover who we are when we are exposed to many different types of situations, musical or not. 

Although these are all great reasons and benefits to learning an instrument, especially singing, the main reason why anyone should get involved with anything is because they want to. All of the hard work and time that I put into what I do wouldn't mean a thing if I didn't love singing. Whatever you do, do it with passion and the rest will fall into place. 

10 Tips For Aspiring Singers

When people find out that I am a vocalist--whether through conversation or after actually having seen me perform--they become very excited, saying things like, "Oh that seems like so much fun!" or "I've always wanted to learn how to sing!" I, like many others, naturally want to help people, so I try to give them some little tidbits of advice, usually offering lessons or a chance to get together to chat about music.

Which brings me to the point of this post: ten tips for aspiring singers. I was asked this question in which to compile ten tips several days ago. Being that musicians always try to help each other out, there is no shortage to the amount of advice one could give about a particular area of music, especially singing. However, I will do my best to try to keep the list to ten.

Tip#1: First and foremost, try your hardest to train with a vocal instructor, especially if you are truly interested in pursuing singing. Even if it is group lessons every week or once a month (though I would suggest meeting with the instructor for additional, one-on-one work), you should be studying with someone. You want to constantly be trying to progress and the only way to do this is to study with a teacher who really pushes you and gets you out of your comfort zone. Vocal range, breath technique, performance technique, repertoire--all of these aspects contribute to singing and all of these can be explored in depth with a vocal instructor.

Tip#2: Practice. Everyday. Talent means nothing without working at it. Some of the most amazing musicians I know practice for hours a day. The voice is a much more delicate instrument than say, drums or piano, so I would recommend, at the most, an hour a day. This is the time for you to become intimately familiar with your voice--what note your voice bottoms out on, what vocal inflections you think sound good at the end of that song phrase--and to experiment. Practice scales, breathing, song repertoire and anything else that either your vocal instructor or you yourself feel you need to do in order to grow, musically.

Tip#3: Practice with an actual piano. Many singers don't realize how important intonation and staying on pitch is when it comes to singing. You can have an extensive song repertoire, great stage presence, and breath control, but if you're not singing the right pitches, then the effort is almost meaningless. It would be the same as a drummer who can do extensive. elaborate soloing, but can't keep time. What's the point? Practice with a piano to make sure you are singing the right notes and stay singing the right notes.

Tip#4: Learn how to read music and study music theory, especially if you are pursuing singing professionally. This seems like it would be a given, but there are musicians out there,  myself included, who are not the strongest in music theory or have problems with skills such as sight-reading. These skills enable you to not only create your own music, but also make you more able to communicate with other band members in musical situations. Having even a basic idea of music theory and musical concepts can help avoid misunderstandings and can help aide your confidence during performance.

Tip#5: Listen to many different types of music and expose yourself to as many different musical situations as possible. Listening to a multitude of different music makes you discover what you like and what your own unique sound is. Expanding your musical palate not only helps you grow as a musician, but also as a person. Putting yourself into different musical situations allows you to meet different people--potential future band mates or employers. Which leads to my next tip.

Tip 6: Practice with an actual band. Practicing by yourself and performing to a track or a cappella is very different than working with an actual band or even just one other musician. You learn how to work on vocal dynamics during performance and how to project properly over the other instruments in the band. As musicians (and as people), you should also know how work with others and how to communicate what you want or what you like, both verbally and musically. This is also another avenue to use to discover who you are and what your own unique voice is, so take advantage of this opportunity.

Tip 7: Be humble. Know how to take constructive criticism from not only your teachers, but from other musicians and your audience as well. Not everyone is going to like your music or your performance. Musicians spend years studying their craft and bare their all on stage, so it is only natural to be somewhat intimidated or offended when someone gives harsh criticism. However, you must learn to deal with criticism in a healthy way and move on. Don't be afraid to ask for help either--there are plenty of people who are willing to give tips and advice if you need or want it.


Tip#8: Protect your voice. Smoking or drinking excessively takes its toll on the voice. Yelling or belting a note just to be heard during performance or rehearsal can strain and/or damage the vocal chords. Take the time--both with your vocal instructor and by yourself--to study proper vocal technique for performance situations. Practice it so much that it becomes second-nature and instinctual. The voice is a delicate instrument that can be wrecked if you don't practice proper technique.

Tip#9: Exercise and eat right. This seems trivial, but exercising four to five times a week--whether biking, doing yoga, hiking or jogging on a treadmill--contributes to your overall well-being. This is also true with proper nutrition. The more physically fit you are, the more stamina you will have for practicing and performance. Make sure to drink plenty of water also because it cleanses and hydrates the body, giving fuel to your precious vocal chords.

Tip #10: Don't be afraid to make mistakes. When you make mistakes, it means you're growing. The only way we as musicians, individuals and human beings can progress is if we give ourselves the opportunity to fail. When you first learned how to ride a bike, there were times you fell down or fell off--I know I did--but you got back on the bike. As long as when you make a mistake (or fail), you get up, dust yourself off and keep going, then you have nothing to worry about because you will improve the next time you try again.

Hopefully. these tips help you, whether you are singing for fun or on a professional level. These are things that I have learned from teachers, other musicians and through trial and error. I do believe that these are basic fundamental elements to singing that can and should be implemented on a daily basis. Most importantly, don't forget to enjoy yourself when singing. That is why you got into singing to begin with. Don't forget to enjoy yourself and the music.

Influences--Who Has Shaped Me As a Singer

I received a great question recently asking about influences--specifically, who has shaped me as a singer. I associate influence with inspiration. Anyone who leaves a lasting impression on me or inspires me to want to sing better, do better, or even just get up on stage to sing my heart out is what I consider an influence. Therefore, this answer might be slightly long-winded.

The first two people who have actually shaped me as a singer would be my parents. I know that this answer to many would seem somewhat cliche, but it is true. They were the first ones to expose me to many different types of music at a young age (Disco, Salsa, Andean music, Bossa Nova, Samba, Funk, Pop) and have taught me how to have an open-mind when experiencing any type of new situation, whether musical or not. They have also instilled in me my sense of work-ethic, morals and determination needed to pursue my dreams and accomplish my goals. 

While pursuing my music career, I have come across several vocal instructors and a music professor who have not only helped shape who I am, musically, but have also enriched my life. Their support, open-mindedness, and patience have helped me to become a better person. Each one of them is a master in their own specific field and have contributed to the knowledge that I have as a singer and a musician today. 

This inspirational feeling that I spoke of earlier, the one that I also interchangeably label as influence, is the type of emotion or state of mind that only happens to one several times throughout their lifetime. They're what I call "shooting star moments". However, when those moments occur, they are all-encompassing. You feel as though your whole being would go everywhere at once were it not for your skin holding you together; that your heart is about to burst in your chest, but in a good way. I always feel the need to be up on stage at that very moment because for me, the way that I express truly deep, overwhelming emotion, is through singing. These "shooting star moments" have only occurred to me three times (so far). 

The first time was when I went to Las Vegas to watch Celine Dion perform at Caesar's Palace. I had been following Celine Dion for quite some time, listening to all of her albums--both French and English--and covering her songs. Her voice is amazingly powerful. One minute she can be singing at an almost whisper and the next, effortlessly belting at the top of her range. When I saw her in concert, however, my respect and admiration for her went to a new level. She took command of the amphitheater. I was seated so far away that I couldn't see her face, but it felt as though she were right in front of me. Her dynamics, intonation and pitch were perfect, and all the while she was dancing around with acrobatic Cirque do Soleil dancers. When she sang "Because You Loved Me", I wanted to be up there with her.

The second time I experienced this was during a show at the Loft in UC San Diego. I was watching the Alan Phillips Quintet perform.  The music had everyone moving in their seats. During one of the songs, my Jazz professor, Kamau Kenyatta (one of the instructors that I mentioned earlier), got up to take a solo on soprano saxophone.  His melodic ideas and his phrasing were some of the best I've ever heard. When he would hit those high notes, you couldn't help but smile because they sounded so damn sweet.  His demeanor was also very relaxed; as if he was just enjoying himself (which is what it should be).  Even though he wasn't a singer, I could still relate musically with what he was doing. I felt this intense amount of joy and all I could do was hope he wouldn't stop playing. It was one of those moments that you wished could just keep going. 

The third time was actually a combination of two performances. Both times, I saw Gregory Porter perform live, but the first time was at his album release party, where I got to hear him sing his own original music. I was lucky enough to meet him beforehand and (not surprisingly) his genuine nature is the same both on and off-stage. Not only does he have this rich, deep voice, but his lyrics are so beautifully written. The words sound like he is using poetic imagery to tell a story. As soon as he sang "No Love Dying", I started crying and at that moment, it reaffirmed my love of singing, performing, music, everything. I knew that I wanted to do exactly what he was doing at that moment: connecting people with music and baring every single part of oneself up on that stage. His second performance I saw was at the Hollywood Bowl and he was performing with Herbie Hancock. His performance, combined with the atmosphere (the Hollywood Bowl is a venue I have always wanted to perform at) was just more icing on the cake. I was forever changed after seeing Gregory Porter perform and was an avid fan of his music from that moment on.

I hope that at some point during my music career I can be that "shooting star moment" for someone else out there. Not for selfish reasons. Quite the contrary. When you influence someone enough to either change their career path or reinforce their love for what they do, it creates a ripple or domino effect. This in turn creates more passionate people who contribute great works or ideas to our society. Inspiration is key to progress in music and it keeps us going as a community.

Welcome to the Singing 'Til I'm Blue in the Face Blog

I'd like to welcome everyone to the Singing 'Til I'm Blue in the Face blog. 

My name is Tiffany Guerrero (the one in the picture at the bottom of the page) and I have been studying singing for 20 years, performing in talent shows, musicals and bands. I have studied with amazing vocal instructors and a grammy-award winning producer--all of whom have shaped my musical self and my life in such a profound way.  I have sung Jazz, R&B, Funk, Pop and Latin music, but have also studied some classical music during my undergrad years as well. I have earned two degrees in music and I figured with all of the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years, that I should share it with people. 

 I created this blog specifically because I love singing and I know there are tons of people out there who love singing--either just for fun or on a professional level--and who would like to learn more about vocal performance and technique. Music has always been a communal thing that brings people together,  having the ability to make you feel intense, pure emotions, evoking memories and inciting thought-provoking ideas, creative sparks and sometimes revolutions themselves. The same emotional experience that you get from an Ella Fitzgerald song could be happening to someone at that same exact moment in a completely different country on the other side of the world! I have always felt that the voice is the immediate link to all of this--when you feel the urge to whisper, shout or sing, the body's response is instantaneous. It is the most intimate of instruments and leaves us at our most vulnerable.  It is also one of the few instruments that immediately lets you know when you've faltered and won't allow you to hide. 

 I hope that this will not only be a place for me to offer tips and advice to others, but for me to learn from all of you as well--be it exposure to different types of music, artists, or even just a new vocal exercise that I've never heard of. People, musicians especially, should never stop progressing. Therefore, I hope that by helping others out there, that I learn more about myself as a person and musician. If you have any questions for me, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. If I can't, I will find someone who does know the answer and we can all learn together. I offer my thoughts, opinions, expertise and experiences to help each and everyone out there become not only better singers, but more well-rounded individuals. I'd like to think of this more as a forum, even though it is a blog. 

I will also have a Youtube channel linked to this blog that will provide a more in-depth discussion of each topic I post and visual examples for some of the topics (for some of you who are more visually-inclined), whether it is how to hold a mic while singing or how to perform certain breathing techniques.

So. Let's start singing. 

Photo Credit: Brian Ross