|
|
|
|
Hey everyone, come in and get to know our resident Vocal Therapist Mark Baxter. Mark is a dedicated teacher / mentor in the field of voice and too quote him "I don't think I'll ever tire of learning about the voice".
Mark's book The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual is considered the "bible" of singing and the video companion to the book The Singers Toolbox which no dedicated singer should be without.
His clients include: Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Scott Weiland (Velvet Revolver), Gary Cherone (Van Halen), members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jonny Lang, Tonic, cast members of RENT, members of Vertical Horizon, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Angry Salad, Regina (#1 single on Billboard's pop chart), Steven Augeri (Journey), American High-Fi, Geezer, Quicksand, The Amazing Crowns, Coal Chamber, The Dresden Dolls, Amiee Mann, Peter Wolf, and many others.
Mark will be fielding questions and sharing his expertise through our FAQ's. You can contact Mark by email. Just click on the contact us icon at the bottom of the page (scroll down) and choose ask Mark Baxter in the selection menu. Please read the FAQ's first as many of your questions can be answered here.
Mark's Advice on SCREAMING click here
Question.
Hi Mark,
This mail comes from Nigeria. I am 28years of age and I havent been
singing for so long. I have a deep voice, but I would like to have a wide
vocal range like Donnie McClurkin. Is this possible, and if it is how do I
achieve this? Thanks. Ik
Answer.
Yes it's possible. You'll
need more flexibility within your larynx to
expand your range. Read
through the free lessons on my site
(www.voicelesson.com) and begin to explore
your potential.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Thanks for taking time to answer our questions, Mark. It's much
appreciated! Question... I've been singing all of my life, to give you an
idea of my sound, I'm constantly told I sound like Josh Groban, only in a
more soul/pop/Celine Dion way. Lately I've been having trouble and got into
this habit out of nowhere, where some notes, even relaxed (Middle C) notes
I sing looks like my throat is jerking up (in the mirror.) When I sing
higher notes, it does it more, when I open my throat, it suffers to do it,
even with pushing air up there, when I sing soft or in falsetto, in higher
notes, it again, strains to sing through my throat but cracks. Am I losing
my voice? Am I using my chest voice too much? I've always watched myself
sing in the mirror and never had this behavior going on. I'm 22 years
old/male. Any advice?
Answer.
My advice is to stop referring to it as "it." No part of your body moves
without your permission. If you want your larynx to remain in its resting
position then target that when practicing. No matter how bad this makes
you sound, you first must understand that you can keep things relaxed.
After that it's a matter of dialing in the appropriate amount of air
pressure. You must be pushing harder then usual.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
For like past year or so, I've been training with this great professor,
who worked on developing my falsseto, so I could be back at my feet as a
countertenor! Unfortunatelly, the professor reitred, and moved away... My
current range is 2 octaves (of falsseto), and I was wondering if it would
be possible to extend that range! I am 20, and I do train daily... The
professors I've worked with in recent time, are completely clueless about
the work my old professor was doing, and in past 6 ,months I haven't seen
any progress! Any suggestions, or links where I can find more training
material? My main goal is to extend the range as far as possible, if
possible at all
Answer.
I would stick with the exercises and
direction the old professor gave you
if it was working.
(Add some spark to your voice)
Mark
Back to top
Question.
All my friends are excellent singers! They all got great parts in our
musical and I only had a few lines! Please help me so I can get a good part
in the next musical!
Answer.
Get new friends! Better yet -- move to a new school. Seriously, there are
only so many parts in a musical and it sounds like your friends are always
going to get the juicy ones. I know this seems negative but you won't be
in school much longer. In the real world it's all about who wants it more
-- so don't give up.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
ok so i have been singing for a while now and i have sung in front of 1400
people before, that is a lot for being only 13. but how do i get a really
good vibrato in my voice and how do i learn to hold notes longer?
Answer.
Both are the result of proper air control. Practice exercises at a lower
volume to take the pressure away. When you hear the vibrato coming in you
can turn it up a little at a time.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi there Mark! My name is Lindsay and I'm 14 years old. I love to sing
when I'm by myself, but when I try to sing in front of others, I freeze up!
Do you know anything that can help me so I can sing in front of others?
Answer.
Sing when others are in the next room, so you know they can hear you, but
you can't see them. That way there's no pressure to perform, because they
don't know what you're really doing. When you get used to that then you'll
be a little better with people in front of you.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, I'm a 17 year old, just started trying to sing, i can hit notes
and all but im not happy with the way my voice sounds, is there anyway you
could change the way you pronounce sounds while your singing or anything
along those lines? if you know what i mean.
Answer.
Absolutely -- the voice is the most flexible instrument in terms of color
and dynamics. You should explore it via exercises instead of songs. That
way you'll discover what is unique about your voice rather then constantly
comparing to someone else.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
i am a pretty good singer but i have stage fright and my range needs to be
stronger what do you recommend
Answer.
Practice, practice,
practice. Not just songs, either, the best way to
build strength is by
vocal exercises. There's a good routine for you on my
CD, "Sing Like an
Idol."
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I recently watched a film that said that you had two pairs of vocal cords,
meaning that you could technically say two things at the same time. Is this
true, and if it is, can I earn how to do it?
Answer.
It's true we have two pair but we can't say two thing at the same time. We
only have one tongue to shape the words and the second pair of folds can't
vibrate.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, I am 26 year old female who sings Soprano. I had the flu this
past winter and excessive coughing has ruined my vocal cords. Before I had
the flu I could sing to the six octave with no problem and now I can only
sing much lower than that. Is there anything I can do to get my soaring
Soprano voice back? Please help Mark,
Thanks,
Nicole
Answer.
Of course, there's lot's you can do -- but not before you lose the dramatic
language. You did not ruin your vocal folds. They are rigid and
irritated. To sing high they need to be thin and pliable. There are many
vocal exercises which I'm sure you did to achieve your six octave range
that should be done now at a very low volume. Allow the voice to cut out
and break up as you nurse it back to its old self. Don't check it by
singing songs -- vocalize it back to health.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark, i have been singing now for around 13 years. I am 30 years
old and have recently been told that i have bilateral vocal chord nodules.
I now attend a speech therapist weekly and she says that it is o.k to sing
provided i practise the vocal exercises she has given me, however my throat
still feels inflamed afterwards. I was wondering if you could let me know
of any other vocal exercises ? Thankyou, David.
Answer.
Your condition is too severe to suggest generic exercises. I would ask
your therapist to offer more exercises. She has the advantage of observing
you which is very important in guiding your behavior back on track.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
This question is going to sound VERY naive but I dunno who to ask: When
you sing, if the vocal range is not completely out of reach, should you try
to reach the same exact notes as the singer or just sing it in your own
octave? Because often I have to sing in falsetto to sing the high notes in
some songs.
Answer.
Sing louder and those falsetto notes will be in chest register. If you
strain then let your voice crack and work on releasing your neck, face and
jaw.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
every time i go for a high note it hurts my throat and sometimes feel
dizzy, because i am in a rock band and alot of my idols hit real high
notes but when i try it hurts and i cant get quite there, so i wonder if u
could help me
Answer.
The dizzy thing is because you are spending too much air. Go for a cleaner
sound at first so you don't lose so much air. Practice scales on EE and AH
vowels until you can get those notes clean and loud. There's too many
other things going on in songs to work on specific issues.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello mark. I am a pretty good singer & I always get a good response when I sing. But I have a problem hitting higher, louder notes. My voice just fails me when I get up there. And also, do you have any tips on singing vibrato (I think thats how you spell it lol). I want to be able to sing christina Aguilaera "Beautiful" without messing up... THANK YOU sooo very much : )
Answer.
The tips I have are all laid out nicely
in my instructional CD, "Sing Like an Idol."
It would help you a lot.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark I am so delighted to meet you. I'm 13 and i have been singing ever since I was 6 years old. I have drempt of being a superstar one day when I'm 14 or 15. My friends think im good for my age. My question is do you have any tips to make me a better singer and do you know of any places in my area (warren,michigan) that give good singing lessons? Thank you. sincerely, Tara
Answer.
There is a search engine for teachers in
your area on my site. Just
look on the right side of the "lessons" page and
plug in your zip code
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi mark! i am an alto rock singer. i wanna model my voice on james
labrie,eric martin and singers with the same vocal calibure. can u tel me
will i be able to do it.which exercises would you recommend and which book
or dvd lesson can help me for this
Answer.
Of course you can do it! I recommend my book, "The Rock-N-Roll Singer's
Survival
Manual."
By the way men are Bass, Baritone and
Tenor
Only women are Alto and Soprano.... just so you
know.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello, i was just wondering if its possible for anybody to sing
beautifully? Because i admire singing more then anything and have a
passion to do so, please let me know
Answer.
Yes it is possible for you to sing beautifully. It will take hard work and
dedication so your passion will have to carry you for a while. Each month
you work on your voice thing will sound better and better.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, I love to sing and i can't help singing everyday! but i have a
problem... i always seem to sing in a reali high key and can easily go out
of tune... how can i lower the key of my voice to help me sound better
overall? email back lv emily xxXxx
Answer.
You lower the key by relaxing. What you're accustomed to is pushing -- you
have always thought of that as passion. You will definitely sound better
overall if you back off a bit and let things come out more naturally. It
feels weird at first -- like you're not doing enough. But if you try it
you'll see that people respond very positively.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hello mr. braxter! i would like to ask a few things about vibrato. i've
read from somewhere that it wasnt good to use vibrato and i was told never
to use it. is it possible for vibrato to damage your voice or produce
negative effects in any way whatsoever? also i discovered that vibrato
should come from somewhere in the throat and not in the chest. it was also
said that it would take time to repair this mistake once it has been done
for a while. i was alarmed because i have been using vibrato for quite a
while now and all the while I've been using my chest to produce it. can you
also tell me how to correct this mistake?? i would appreciate it a great
deal if you would take time to help me out. a million thanks and more power
to your incredibe site!!
Answer.
Vibrato can not hurt you period. Now matter where you get it from -- a
little movement is better then none. The best way for you to approach
vibrato is by forgetting about it. The more you look for it the harder it
is to produce because it is a natural reaction to all things being in
balance. If you just relax and sing a very easy note at a comfortable
volume vibrato should emerge at the end of the note where you're most
relaxed. Calling it up where you want it means singing with independence
-- much like it feels when you're on a easy note at a comfortable volume.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi mark, ok the thing is lately i always wanted to start singing and i
thought the best way to get to would be for me to learn an instrument, so i
went out and bought a guitar and im going to take a few lessons and i was
wondering if it would be a good idea for me to start out and taking singing
lessons, because i personally think i have a good voice but once i recorded
it on this voice note thing on my phone and i sounded completely different
and i was wondering if maybe it was the recording thing on my phone that
wasnt any good, and i never got around singing around ppl thinking that my
brothers would think it's just plain weird for me to think about singing
but it's definately something i've really liked and i would like to do as a
career so please give me an answer, oh by the way im 15 and male. thank you
in advance.
Answer.
Yes -- take the singing lessons along with the guitar lessons.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark, I am a 26 year old female attorney and basicly became an attorney
becuase of what is considered 'acceptable'. Not to mislead you, I have to
point out that I do enjoy being an attorney, but I know I was born to
sing--be an entertainer. My singing is something everyone has always
commented on positively whether knowing me personally or hearing me sing
casually, however, none of those people are actually trained to recognize
what I call a voice with "star quality". My question at this point is,
what is your advice for basic getting a credible opinion as to whether I
have a voice which is that of a star?? As you would guess, at this point,
I would not want to give up a profession on misguided information.
SSS
Answer.
I believe I am perfectly qualified to asses your situation and I will say
you do not have what it takes to become a star. This, mind you, has
nothing to do with your singing ability. No star is famous because they
sing well -- though some do. A star is a star because he or she has
campaigned tirelessly -- before there was any hint at becoming a star.
It's not a left brain decision. Only those who are willing to lose it all
half a shred of a chance.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hey mark, i have been singing all my life,and am workin on my first cd, and i do all my vocals, including backups, but i have trouble knowing when to come in and do the backup, not hrmanozing persay, but at the end usually when theres more tan one voice, or set of words goin on u know...i have trouble knowing when to come in on what tunes...
Answer.
There's no right or wrong answer here, but it seems you would really benefit from working with a producer. Or at least bring in another musician to bounce ideas off of.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I've sung for two bands, which isn't much, and I sing like a mix of Steve
Perry and Lou Gramm.
But unfortunately, my voice hasn't gotten me very far, because of my poor
timing.
I'm not sure how to fix this serious problem.
I'd really appreciate your advice.
Thank you
Answer.
Buy a metronome and clap your hands with the rhythm of the song.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark
About "you sing like you eat", you point basically the worse and best to
eat, but I'm having a little trouble with it. If you eat fast-digesting
stuff, that hungry sensation comes many more times a day, so is it possible
for you to point more alternate sources? I'm aware that in a book you can't
see each case and I imagine you point the 'ideal' diet for a singer, but
you surely know what I mean, for example, it's hard to sit during that
4-hour class with only fast-digesting food in the belly. I guess I'm not
the 1st to ask you this, and I'll have other questions in the future, so,
thank you at once and congratulations for your work =]
Answer.
Your body isn't made to go four hours without nutrition unless your
sleeping. Since the industrial revolution, we have had to adapt our eating
to our jobs because the boss won't give us multiple food breaks. The
routine of three meals a day is not healthy or natural. Lot's of weight
problems and phlegm issues are because we eat too much to pack it away for
a while. You've got to be inventive if you want a clean instrument to sing
with. Nuts take a while to break down so have some handy in class. The
other thing to remember is that combining foods is what disturbs digestion
most. It's okay to eat protein if it's not combined with starches. That
will definitely take you through class.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Gday Mark, iam 15 years old, in a rock band and a serious life-long singer, i am a great fan of Justin Hawkins and his amazing falsetto range, however, wen i try and sing falsetto like him, i find some notes in the lower falsetto, are weak, are theyre specific falsetto techniques i shuld use, or will my falsetto range improve as my voice develops as i grow older?
Answer.
The reason those lower falsetto notes are weak is because they shouldn't be in falsetto. The line between the registers is influenced by vowel and volume as well as pitch. What register you're in at any given moment depends on many factors. You'll do much better if you stop thinking about registers and let your reflexes self-regulate that line.
Just think the sound you want.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Sometimes when I sing along with my friends and gets to the climax of the song, my voice reaches the limit and not enough air is held inside my stomach. No sound comes out, not even a squeek or cracks. How can I improve my vocal and air while singing? Please help.
Answer.
First of all, air is not held in your stomach
- that's where your food goes. The problem isn't even your lungs.
Your throat is closing off on those high notes. The best way to get things
to work right is to practice singing scales and stuff. There's too much
distraction when singing songs. Get your voice to work first, then you can
enjoy singing any song you want. My CD, "Sing Like an Idol"
can take you through all the steps you need.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello. My name is Luke, I am 17 years old, a junior in high school, I have been singing in chorus sinceelementary school, and my voice has just about finished changing (maybe 80% done or so). I have been a excellent, pure, and well-skilled first Tenor for my entire life until this past school year (05-06). My voice had changed, I lost my well-produced Tenor voice, my voice cracked constantly, I lost my breath support, and i couldn't hit the high notes with my normal (full/chest) voice anymore. I did gain some Bass notes that I couldn't hit before, however. Now since my voice has almost finished changing, I have a huge gap between my full voice and my falsetto voice whenever I sing a descending and ascending slur. My chorus teacher had told me that if I continued to sing throughout the period when my voice changed, then My voice would change quicker. I also realized that when I try to sing loud notes (mf,f,and ff) in my falsetto, I cannot produce a pure and crisp sound...it cracks. I was wondering if there was any way that I could somehow regain my previous pure, crisp Tenor voice and keep my new lower full voice. I would appreciate any kind of advice that you can give me. Thanks in advance.
Answer.
What you're asking is if you can be twelve again, which is obviously impossible. What your adult voice will be was determined when you were concieved. Puberty is when your hormones kick in and your genetic code unfolds. The larynx can go through big growth spurts over night. As your larynx grows you gain low notes and lose some highs. The good news is that you absolutely can fill in that gap between your registers. Take it easy through the break and let things sound bad for a while. Everything is different inside so it will take some time to coodinate.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark. I am involved in a theatre program and it calls for alot of singing. I'm fairly good at it, but sometimes I feel that I am not singing from my diaphram. What exercise(s) should I do to make singing from my diaphragm more natural?
Answer.
You should place your hand over your belly button when you practice your songs. Make sure you relax your tummy on each breath. That means your hand will come out as you take air in. You should also move your head very gently as you sing to make sure the back of your neck stays relaxed.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Well i guess to get to the point cuz im sure you read enough of these my question is that when i sing i can almost hit any note, but only problem is that when i hit the higher notes i think it sounds cartoonish and funny im not straining my voice or anything i can sing this way like i can any other way, but when the well known male singers hit the higher notes is it that they are singing the same way i am, but their singing voice just sounds better or is their a way i can make it so i sound more professional and not as cartoonish? or does it sound like i'm not singing properly? i guess an example of the voice i'm attempting to match when i sing like this would be some bands called Saosin, or Chiodos,(i dont think the lead singers of these 2 bands have balls or something lol) and my fav. Taking Back Sunday i love how Adam from taking back sunday explodes the high notes makeing them sound clear, rich, and powerful. i believe the styles between saosin and chiodos are alot alike, and TBS being different if u wouldnt mind i'd also appriciate some explaining in the differences between these two groups of style and how to sing like em. Please take the time to awnser my questions, not having the money for lessons, or knowing many vocalists i could use the advice thanks alot.
Answer.
To get a rich tone you need a relaxed throat. Rather then singing songs, it would be better to work on relaxing your throat by just singing an AH vowel up and down your range. Let it crack instead of tense up. That will be temporary -- you first need to coodinate your air.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi. I'm 18 years old. I have been singing for a long time, but I have
never had a vibrating voice. I know that others have it, because they were
born like that, but even though i wasn't born with a perfect voice, is
there a way for me to train my voice so that it will have some vibration
when i sing?
Answer.
Absolutely. I think my new CD, "Sing Like an Idol"
would be a good fit for
you. There's tips on vibrato and lot's of other
things to give you that
edge when singing a
song.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I'm a fourteen year old and am interested in developing my falsetto voice,
as i can reach some very high notes with it. However, I seem to have
trouble pronouncing certain letters without breaking down into my ordinary
voice again. I'd like to know if this is common for my age and will clear
up when my voice stops breaking, or if ill be stuck like this. everyone
else my age seems to be able to sing normally with falsetto, but i appear
to be stuck to vowel sounds.
Answer.
This is definitely a temporary situation you're in. Keep singing through
this time and things will calm down. Try not to push too much air and
don't tense up when your voice cracks.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
How do I train my voice to become stronger, do i just warmup and practice
scales?
Answer.
That's a good beginning but there's lots more. Training the voice is all
about creating an instrument that's easy to play and sounds great. What
exercises you do depends on a lot of factors. Re-enforcing correct
behaviors is also important. That's why it's best to work with someone who
can give you advice on your form.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I have been singing on my own for a while and my voice is getting better
but I extreamly need a voice coach..How do I find a Voice Coach?
Answer.
Ask at your local music store. Look in the classified section of your news
paper. Or, ask your music teacher at school.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
i love singing but i find when i sing along to songs my voice doesnt go
the way i want it to. like when i sing along to Kelly Clarkson i go really
high and im not good at singing high how can i get higher? im 15 and i
really love singing. thanks Emma
Answer.
It would be best if you stopped singing along with songs for a while and
worked on your voice separately with exercises. You have not developed
your instrument yet and you're comparing yourself to someone who is very
developed. That's no fair and will only frustrate you.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I'm a 43 year old male who has been singing all my life. I have a range
of a low C up to about a G above middle C. Over the course of the last
couple of years, I've been losing my ability to sing. My voice cracks and
I lose control when I try to sing above about a middle C. It also feels
like I have to push harder to get any kind of decent sound out. Of course,
this fatigues my voice and I have to stop singing to let it rest.
I've been through some vocal therapy, so I understand about opening your
mouth and doing the "yawny thing" (as my therapist puts it) with your
throat. I also understand about controlling the pressure with your
diaphragm, but these techniques don't seem to make much of a difference.
Medically, I have been given a clean bill of health (I have acid reflux,
taking Nexium daily). I had a vocal strobe test done and my chords appear
to be healthy. I'm just about at the point of giving up trying to sing any
more, and it's killing me!
Have you heard of this kind of condition before, and do you think it's
treatable? I've really lost most hope of singing regularly again.
Thanks for your expertise!
Answer.
Welcome to the aging process. By that I don't mean you're getting too old
to sing. It means you're getting too old to sit back and expect everything
to be like it used to be. You can sing if you want to -- to a rip old age.
However, you'll have to commit yourself to a daily regiment of vocal
exercises to keep your folds strong and flexible. As we age we loose water
in cells and membranes. For the voice this means less pliable. That's why
it's become hard work to sing the same old pitches. Stretching exercises
will help maintain flexibility and independence in and around the larynx.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey, Mark, I'm 14. 15 very soon, I can play guitar, and I am interested in
singing, usually I can pick up anything and play it, but not with
singing.it's completely different, all my family are number crunchers,
except for me, i aspire to be an artist, but music is an art too, I don't
sound too bad, but i cant sing some of the songs i want too, my friend told
me to try and change the key of the song to fit my voice but I dotn know
quite how to do that, could you please give me some help
its REALLY appreciated, thanks
Answer.
Yes you're right. Singing is completely different then
learning any other
instrument. That's because, with singing, you have
to build yourself an
instrument. Any other musician can start
developing chops right away but
singers have to spend most of their time
developing themselves as an
instrument first. Read through my site and
give yourself some time.
You'll get
it.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey I've been looking around on the internet for singing lessons, advice
etc. and i stumbled across your website. I'm almost 16 and me and some
friends are planning on starting a band sometime soon. I am meant to be the
lead singer but lately with my singing at the back of my throat theres a
little bit of a vibration. I'm just wondering how I can get rid of that and
make my voice clear. I was also interested in the voice of Sonny Moore in
the band 'From First To Last' if I was wanting a voice like his is there
any special style I can try to get something like him? At the moment I want
to get my voice clear and sound something like the lead singer of Story of
the Year. Also is there any free online voice training thing that I could
commit myself to as right now I have no money for singing lessons and I'd
rather just learn on my own and see how it goes. I can sing quite well
depending on what tone I was told by my sister that I'm quite good and
could be better with lessons but as I mentioned before It's something I
can't do right now. Well hopefully you'll hear about a great New Zealand
band sometime. Thanks
Answer.
Read through my free lessons
and experiment with different sounds. Don't
be afraid to sound bad as
you're messing around. As your band gets going
your voice will find a
zone that works. It may not sound exactly like your
favorite singers
but that's okay -- they don't sound like their favorite
singers
either.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey..I'm female and almost 16 yrs old. I love to sing...can't go a day
without it but i can't do it in front of people ...i mean..how do you know
if you have a good voice...this sounds like a stupid question but my mom
said I have a good voice because she hears me when I don't know shes there
but..I think it sounds awful..its like the talent just drops in every once
in a blue moon..I just don't know if I'm cut out to be a singer or not...i
don know what to do..please help! thanks!
Answer.
When your desire to sing outweighs your fear of embarrassment then you'll
sing in front of others. Until then, there's nothing wrong with singing
for yourself.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi! Well Ive read alot of your FAQs and I ALWAYS learn something new! Well
I recently started a band and Im the singer yet I haven't gotten any
private lessons but I always sing even with friends but I really need
advice. Im 16 year old male guitarist. I want to make voice like the singer
in Fall Out Boy but I just can't get it right. Like the song Nobody Puts
Baby in the Corner and Dance Dance. My voice is a little lower and doesn't
vibrate. I need work on my high notes. Please help me! Thank you so much!
Answer.
You don't need my help -- you need to work on your high notes! You already
know what you need but you're looking for a quick fix. Unfortunately there
isn't one with the voice -- or any other instrument for that matter. When
you've been singing as long as the guy in Fall Out Boy you'll have it down.
But ask yourself this.. will singing like someone else be good for my career? The answer is NO. The reason you like this guy is because he sounds original. Learn to sing like Roy and then someone will send me an email someday asking how to sing like you.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark,
My daughter is now 14 been singing since young, infact I have taken here
to a vocal teacher 3 years back and he did not work out so well. I am
looking for a dedicated teacher to help her gain self confidence as a
performer as well her vocals. She is very artistic, she does play keyboard
by ear as well. I have been told by many that she has a great voice and
that she would one day be the next one , cute huh? Well point being she
loves it and practices daily her vocals and keyboard, she has electric
guitar and accoustic but she feels to fancy the keyboard more. I learned
music when younger geez that sounds bad lol but I have played classical but
she will not take me up on it , as mom cannot know all right? which is
cool. So here I am looking but if I can hook up with you or at least know
where to find you, I would be very interested as she wants to do demo in
studio this summer.
Thanks much
Rosan, Montreal
Answer.
Have her read through my web site www.voicelesson.com
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Mark: I am a 56 year old woman who has been singing since I was 5 years
old. I am having problems with enlarged tonsils and they may have to be
removed. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to sing anymore. I
have a soft spoken voice but when I sing in a natural voice it is very
strong. Also after I sing I am sometimes hoarse, is this my tonsils or the
way I am singing. Can you help me? Thanks so much for reading this email
and take care.
Answer.
You will not lose your voice from the tonsillectomy -- if all goes well
during the procedure. Your hoarseness comes from the difference between
your speak and singing. It is the same muscles that speak and sing yet you
use them very differently. Since you speak much more then sing they are
weakened by your soft approach to speak and then shocked by the load you
present to your vocal folds to sing a song. Vocal exercises will help you
find a balanced middle ground. I recommend you take some lessons after
your operation. 56 is not too late to develop something you enjoy so much.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I have been a choir director for thirty years; our groups unhesitatingly
include so-called "monotones". They invariably have great attitudes and
seem to find a "harmonic" to sing that colors the whole (as odd colors
flavor a Gothic rose window). Naturally, I would like them to match
pitches, but get frustrated. I can usually get them to match two or three
pitches in low registers, and, interestingly, in "falsetto", but the
in-between becomes a no-man's land. I think fear is involved, but I'm no
psychologist, I'm a musician. I'm really trying to locate some good book,
method or whatever that might be helpful to "monotones". Any suggestions?
Answer.
I'm sure this is a frustrating situation for you. First is to stop
thinking of them as monotones. People who can hit a few easy pitches when
relaxed have the capability to coordinate their folds -- monotones do not.
The reason they hit notes down low or in falsetto is because the pressure
is balanced (by accident I'm sure). In other areas they tense the muscles
surrounding the larynx and over drive air pressure. It's the same choke
that occurs when people try for a bull's eye on the dart board. Have them
produce a hiss first before they sing the note to dissipate the pressure
and create a flow. It will take time to work with each singer
individually, but no two people will have the same issues plaguing their
coordination. Loose neck, loose jaw, relaxed abs, relaxed face, breath out
the pitch.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I'm a 19 year old female and I am just beginning to sing now. I have been
doing the basics like breathing exercises and scale exercises. I want to
sing rock and metal music so I want to develop a strong and powerful voice
with a bit of rasp and edge to it. Right now, my voice is more sweet
sounding and melodic and it lacks the power I am looking for. I have no
idea how to achieve the sound I want and currently I cannot afford to get a
teacher nor do I have the time to join a singing group. Do you had any tips
or suggestions for me? Thanks a lot.
Answer.
Start a band . . . with a hard hitting drummer and a guitar player who
likes Marshall amps. You get an edge to your voice real fast . . . for free.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I want to sing strong like shakira! how do you do that?
Answer.
Wait a minute . . . Shakira sings? I've been so busy watching her dance I
never noticed she was singing! Anyway, to sing strong you'll need to be
very coordinated (like Shakira). When muscles tense they rob us of sound
so the goal is to stay loose while you're putting out a lot of sound.
Experiment with this in private so you're not self conscious about sounding
bad.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey I'm 16 and I recently got into singing about a couple months ago. I
have a few questions. Ok first: What makes a good singing voice? Second:
What exercises could I do to achieve that good singing voice? And third: I
don't really like my voice, and I'm just wondering if it's just me being
self conscious or if i actually do suck. Any answers?
Answer.
Answer 1: A good singing voice is one that expresses
whatever emotion the
singer is feeling.
Answer 2: The exercises
you should do depend on what's stopping you from
expressing your
emotions. My book has
lots of exercises and explanations
about what they're good for. I think
that would be a good place to start.
Answer 3: Yes you actually do
suck. Why would you be good? You've only
been at it a couple of
months. You certainly would still suck at playing
the guitar after a
couple months. So stick with it and practice singing
all the
time. As you get better you'll be able to ask for more emotion
and
that's when things get interesting.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello sir. I was curious if there is a special technique I could practice
to achieve more resonance in my voice, such as what the lead singer of Iron
Maiden and HIM have. Thank you.
Answer.
Practice makes the difference. Your goal is to relax your throat open when
singing. That's what creates the resonance. It takes coordination to dial
in the right air pressure without triggering throat muscles to engage.
Keep the sound you want in your mind as a target. You'll get there.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Marky. When i sing and play guitar, some times i think im sounding
good. I have no lessons or any instruction. When i record myself, or ask
others of there opinion, they always say it sounds like im trying to hard,
in a cheesy way. Im not sure how to correct it. thanks!
Answer.
You correct that by backing off and chilling out and not calling people
"Marky." The less you do the more you real personality will immerge.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I've Been Singing for a while and sometimes my voice will start to sound a
little nasally or hoarse, so is there anything i can do about that
Answer.
Stop singing. Next time, start out slower and warm up your voice. Don't
push so hard and try to hit the high notes so loud right away.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Should you feel the voice in the front of the face (mask) at all times? Is
that the way to tell if you're singing right? How do you know when your
singing correctly and when you're not?
Answer.
I am not a fan of placing everything in the mask. That is a very old opera
technique that was devised to project the voice in an un amplified
situation. Now a days we like to hear singers sounding conversational --
which means the resonance is distributed evenly throughout your airways.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi, i really want to sing for my music performance but i am really not
confident with singing... mainly because my whole family says i should
stop... but i enjoy it and really want to get more confident... how?
Answer.
Just the simple fact that you enjoy it is all the reason you need to
continue. You're not hurting anybody. You will get more confident the
more you sing. Unfortunately, family members can be cruel without
thinking. Most times they are just reacting to their own embarrassment.
They are not as brave as you so it makes them uncomfortable to hear you
struggle. Keep struggling. You'll get better and they will give up
telling you to stop.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi. My story is that I play guitar in a band with no singer, so I am trying to fill the spot, although I really haven't much of a voice. I'd like to be able to pull off a Ray Davies from the Kinks sort of a thing...Or something like the guys from the Zombies. Any suggestions?
Answer.
Your situation sounds exactly how Ray Davies got started! My suggestion is to write songs for your voice -- rather then what you wish it could be. In other words, don't write Kinks songs write George songs.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark, I stopped singing when I was 34 years old and at that time I could only hit G below hi-C before I had to shift into falsetto. Also I could not hold that G for any length of time. I’m now 53 years old and a very odd thing happened when I tried lifting a heavy object and had made a grunting sound while doing so. I went over to my piano and found that it was a hi-C. I then worked doing scales and practiced opening my throat to purify the tone and remove the pinched sound of it. I can now hit and hold a hi-C# but I have no falsetto at all. On all my reading of the subject of singing, I have found that some instructors claim that by singing this way I will eventually develop nodes. My question is… do I need to worry about nodes if I continue to hit my high notes in this fashion and how is it that I can now hit notes that I only dreampt of before? Thanks, Jeff
Answer.
You can thank the aging process for your new found high range. Your vocal folds are thicker now and throat muscles are more relaxed. Nodes are not an issue unless you're embarking on a six month tour. Throwing your back out, though, the next time you're lifting something heavy is a lot more likely!
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I think i can sing and all the people around me tell me i can except my parents because when im singing at home i put on a funnny voice because i think that they ll be kind of embarassed im not sure
Answer.
Okay. . . Um, since there really isn't a question here I'll just say good luck with that funny voice thing.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hey, im a 16 year old girl. my voice is lower than most girls, i think i
have a really bad voice, and can never sing beautifully. my mom thinks i
should go and take singing lessons but im a bit shy since a lot of people
will be there. what do you think i should do? and what about my low voice?
thank you for taking the time to help me.
Answer.
You definitely should take the voice lessons. It's a good idea to do some
things that you're not comfortable with -- plus you can only get better. I
don't think your low voice is going to be a problem at all. Also there are private lessons.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey mark i seem to have this problem with playing my guitar and singing at
the same time do you think you could help me out because i wanna start a
band but its a bit hard because no one else can sing or play guitar like me
Answer.
Start the band now. Don't wait until you get good. Find a bunch of guys
that are in the same boat you are -- just starting out. Get good together
and you'll have a bond that's greater then waiting until each individual is
decent on their instruments.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi well i luv 2 sing but i have a few problems one is that i have a lisp
and it doesnt exactly help my singing and also when i try to sing a high my
voice goes quieter nd sounds funny
Answer.
Learning to sing will only help the lisp. Even though we're still singing
words, the way your tongue behaves when singing will be a little different
and should reduce problem. The high notes just need a little boost of air
pressure.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
do you have any tips on european power metal singing like bands such as
helloween, manowar, dragonforce, rhapsody etc. I need to get into the high
range they use and they use vibrato really well too but im stumped how they
do it?
Answer.
My suggestion for you is to learn to sing -- really well. It's going to
take years but you can do it, pretty much just like the guys you admire.
Start with the voice you have now and keep practicing. There are lots of
exercises in my book to get you started.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark!
I was curious in asking if there is any way to hear your voice as it really sounds. I've recorded my voice many times, and the sound that came out didn't sound like me at all!
I've read somewhere that this is because you listen through your bones as opposed to your ears when you speak/sing. Unfortunetely I've never managed to find a cure for this problem. Is there any way to accustom my voice to the way I want it to sound as I hear it?
Thank you once again.
Answer.
What you're hearing back from the recording is the way you really sound. What you think you sound like is not. Voice lesson can help you release the muscles around your larynx and allow more of that deeper sound you hear in your head to come out but it will always sound a little different to you. What matters is that you get to like the sound of your recorded voice.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I know nothing about singing except that I enjoy it. I particularly like
singing with other people. None of us know anything about harmonizing.
Can you help us?
Answer.
Nope. But I'm sure some teacher in your home town can. Actually, you
don't need to know anything more about singing -- you need to just sing
more. As long as you enjoy it and every one you sing with is in the same
place then there's no need to make it work. You'll get better the more you
sing.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
i would like to start singing but know that my voice isn't the greatest
there is. Should I even try? Do lessons and such really make that big of
a difference because i always thought you had t be born with a singing voice.
Answer.
Yes you should try if it is something that you want. Lessons make a huge
difference. But if you're expecting a beautiful singing voice to come
easily, you can always let yourself off the hook with the tired old excuse
that you just weren't meant to sing. No one is born to do anything but
eat, sleep and reproduce.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, I'm 26 and have been singing for a number of years.My main
influence is Jon Bon Jovi, mainly cause i sound just like him and have been
told that by numerous people, hitting notes ,singing in tune has come
naturally for me,but my main concern is that i am having problems with
vibrato, people say if i had that they would never be able to tell the
difference between Jon and I, i can't understand how to train for that and
it's driving me nuts listening to the true singers achieve it while i
struggle, what can i do? any exercises i can try?
Answer.
There are plenty of exercises to try but the main objective would be to
create internal independence. You a little too tight and pushing too much
air which is locking up the very muscles that need to fluctuate during
vibrato. When an internal balance is achieved, vibrato will be at your
disposal.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey, I'm sure you have been asked this question thousands of times before,
but maybe you could answer it for me. In my band I do vocals. I say vocals,
because I don't sing. I scream. Mostly very high pitched raspy screams like
the bands...Alexisonfire, Fear Before The March of Flames, The number
Twelve looks Like you, Converge and Underoath...just to give you an idea.
But, a lot of people tell me that I can eventually mess up my larynx from
screaming so much. is this true? Because when I scream, I don't scream in
my throat...I use my diaphragm and push the air up from my gut...But is it
still possible to mess up your voice even if you use this technique. Thanks
a lot!
Answer.
Why yes I have been asked this a thousand times. The answer is of course
it's true. The two key words are "can" and "eventually." The same is true
for jumping. If you play basketball, you can eventually mess up your
knees. Some people blow out a lot sooner then others. Strength and
conditioning play a big role. So does listening to your body. When your
throat feels sore, it's time to make an adjustment. Most times singers
don't, because they don't have any other way to do things. You're good for
now but don't take it for granted that it will always be there for you.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hey mark my name is joe and i've been singing now for about a year and a
half now currently i'm sick and can't get to where i need to be with my
singing any tricks you know would help and the other question is i was
never in choir or token any lessons and learned how to sing from scratch im
eagar to learn how to control my voice when i'm singing and also need a
better understanding of how to sing can you help me with that
Answer.
You
can't get to where you need to be because your sick. Welcome to
singing
-- where the instrument can get sick. Training will not prevent
you
from getting sick but it will allow you to sing much better when you're
under
the weather. It's not tricks; it's skill. I recommend starting
with
my book to gain a
better understanding of how to
sing.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark!
I have this problem: everyone say that my voice is too weak,everysong i sing my voice is still so weak. Do i have to do some exercise for my voice to make it better? Or something else.
Answer.
Not some exercise . . . lots of exercises. Vocalizing is way more effective than singing songs for building strength.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark my name is John and im 14. I can sing but when im in front of an audience I get really shy and am scared to sing. What can I do to boost my confidence?
Answer.
Get out there and sing in front of others more. That's the only way. No one said it would be easy -- but if you stick with it you'll become very comfortable on stage.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with the singer Chris Cornell, he's done things such as Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and is with Audioslave currently. But my question is how do I get my voice to sound like the grunge/alt rock kind of thing as his. He can really hit some high notes, but also has a very soothing calm voice. I play keyboards in my band, and nobody in the band can sing at all. Me being the most likely canidate for a singer, I would enjoy your advice.
Answer.
Yes, I'm very familiar with Cornell. To me, he is the high water mark for rock singers. How he does what he does is part genetics and part personality. It's fine to use him as inspiration but expecting to sound like him when you're just starting out will only lead to disapointment. Write songs that highlight what you do best. He does. Be courageous with dynamics - allow yourself to sing without pushing sometimes. He does. Doing what he does - rather then chasing his sound will put you in the best place possible.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark,am a guy from india.I have problem in singing on higher notes.Even i feel my voice is not clear, sometimes it vibrates,especially on the higher notes i have irritation in throat.Plz help me.
Answer.
The irritation comes from tense throat muscles. You are tensing your throat in order to control your voice. To relieve the irritation, let yourself lose control when singing high. Let the voice sound terrible - cracking and wobbling all over - and notice that the throat doesn't hurt when you do this. Keep practicing this way for many months and you'll sound better and still feel loose. You've got to get loose first - then coordinate.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Is there such thing as too much practice? I practice around the house, grocery shopping, in the car, etc. I get weird looks from people but it doesn't bother me much.
Answer.
If you're practicing correctly, meaning no tension or straining, you can never get enough. Don't worry about those weird looks -- they're just jealous that you have a passion in your life!
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hello Mark,
Thank you for this opportunity. I'm 63 years old, I love music,
especially listening to good singers that can hit the high "C" note. I
know nothing about music. I have a very low voice. I believe I'm tone
deaf, however I used to play the saxophone when I was in High School. So,
I assume that I could learn music again, however the singing I'm not sure.
Are there people that just can't sing at all? And why?
Thank's for your time......... Louis
Answer.
Greetings Louis,
No, there are not people that just can't sing -- only those that won't let
themselves. Singing is a part of being human. Singing well takes a lot of
training. High notes, for instance, require a lot of flexibility. So you
can sing -- and you're not tone deaf (other wise you never could have
picked up the sax). I doubt, however, that you'll be making many high C's
anytime soon. Work your way into it slowly. Sing because you enjoy it --
not because you're good at it. Don't leave all the fun to those showoffs
with the dramatic ranges!
Regards,
Mark Baxter
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark my name is Calvin and I'm so into the Barry Gibb of the bee gees
and i try to imitate him but when i try to go high on the falsetto that he
did on Too Much Heaven my voice cracks and so i was wondering if you could
somehow tell me how to stop my voice from cracking thx
Answer.
Falsetto requires very little air pressure. If you're cracking it's
because you are too tense and driving too hard. Back off the volume.
Relax your neck and jaw and practice the song while moving your body
randomly to keep the rest of you loose.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey,
Well I am a singer (not profesional) and of course my dream is like many
others to make that my profession. Well I think I have a pretty good voice
I think (I am not sure) that I have 4.3 octaves. Well so here my question
are singing lessons really expensive. About how much is the price range. I
really want to learn how take care of my voice and make it the best it can
possibly be. Id really appreciate your answer thank you for our time.
Answer.
Lesson prices range from $30 to $300. If money is tight then I would read
as much as possible and maybe purchase some instructional products.
Lessons are not necessary to become a professional -- fans are.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi i am 14 years old and i am a alto/mezzo-soprano i think (i can sing up
to an A flat below high c, if im warmed up enough). i wanted to know if
there was any possible way i could reach the higher notes... in other words
is there any chance i could ever be a soprano?? if so how?? what can i do
to reach the really high notes??? PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Answer.
You can train. Typically, it takes a good ten years of training to become
an acceptable classical singer.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
It's really hard because I have a beautiful voice but no one ever lets me
shine. I sing out in choir but know one ever askes me to sing for them its
always this one group of girls pushing me away.
Answer.
Welcome to the music business! Where the only people that are allowed to
shine are the ones that push hard for the chance. Don't sit around getting
bitter, figure a way to outsmart those girls and get yourself some spot
light. It will be great training for your future in show biz.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hey mark,, i use to take singin lessons then developed a condition with my sinuses which causes one of my nostril to block up alot,,,it required surgery and i gave up my singin lesson,, while takin singin lesson i always had the problem of singin through my nose,,, i have a great range but my singin doesnt sound as close as it could due to singin through my nose,,,, how can i get rid of it,,,, and would my sinul condition be resopinsible at all for this problem,, if yes,, is there a way i could overcome that,, thanx alot,, and your sites amazin,, really helpful
Answer.
You don't mention here whether the surgery changed your singing abilities. It should have. I recommend you start back up with your lessons.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
mark i emailed you about 3 months ago your book has done amazing things for my voice. your vocalizing tech. listening to ones body staying relaxed building gradually. warming up then warming down after band practice. my voice soars over the mix. but if you can answer one question. i can hit and sing notes in head voice , but i need you to clarify how to hit and sing those same notes in my chest voice. i have olso noticed by vocalizing faltsetto in my chest my upper registers are begining to sound smoother and more defined your friend
Answer.
Volume is what determines whether a note will be in head voice or chest voice. The louder you sing the higher up the change occurs. SO if you want very high notes to be in chest voice you'll have to sing very loud. I think its better to train to the point where it doesn't matter what register you're in. Once they all sound the same you won't be spending so much energy forcing register changes.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark. I'm a 16 year old male, and ever since 15, I've noticd that I have a great passion for singing. Now when I started of, I sounded like a dying cat, but now I'm not too bad. My frend and family have told me that I have improved a bit. But the problem is, I seem to have hit a dead end. My voice doesn't seem to begetting any better, and I do not know what to do. This obviously means I have a very mediocre voice, so i need somewhere to get started, and know what to do. I cannot sight read but I think that the fact I can't read music sheets or know what a note sounds like of the top of my head doesn't help this fact, and my mum tells me that I can't hit get the tune off the top of my head, and have to imitate what I hear. I can't afford singing lessons, but may buy you book and dvd if I get the money. Apart from that, can you help me in any way possible?
Answer.
Nobody has a mediocre voice -- they just play it that way. One year is nothing in the big picture. Other then picking up my book, I think your time would be well spent developing your ear for a while. Pick up guitar or piano (whichever is more available to you) and sing the notes you find on the instrument. The skill of matching pitch is developed in the brain and will help your singing a lot. You don't need to read sheet music to sing.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I know you probably hear this question all the time, but how do I make
money,or get recognized at doing what I know and have been known to do
best? I'm 29yrs. and old have been on t.v. once. I love to show my feelings
and give a show.God HAS put me on this earth to do SOMETHING and that is to
GET A WITNESS!{Thats my favorite saying}-"CAN I GET A WITNESS" When I put a
mike to my mouth thats the first thing that usually comes out my mouth.I
don't know what i need first/or most for that matter,money,or recognition.I
do know one thing I really need need something. Please help me,point me in
the right direction.PLEASE!!!lOVE yyyyya,YA CAJUN BABY---CHANTAL-JANE'T
COUVILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answer.
There's no doubt that you have a passion for singing but unfortunately
that's not what matters when it comes to making money or gaining
recognition with your voice. It's all about self promotion. Those that
are great promoters get the recognition -- not those that are great
singers. Sometimes a person can be both but promotion matters most when it
comes to getting your name out there. So that's the direction I'm
suggesting you head in. Start talking your talents up to any one and
everyone. Ask for opportunities. It's exactly like running for president.
First you have to let everybody know you're in the race.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi i see u're doing a grt job here.
how do i sing without letting those annoying mucus cutting my notes short cos i sing in a pretty high range?
Answer.
Drink lots of water. Cut out sugar, coffee, spicy foods and dairy. Get plenty of rest. Exercise. Vocalize. Warm up and then back off the air pressure just a little on those high notes.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Is it possible to expand your range rather quickly? if so, how or what do I need to pursue to make it happen?
Answer.
Yes but it's always at the expense of tone and feel. Check out Brett Manning's technique.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I have real trouble reaching some notes, they are too high, i have to shout to reach them. What do you sugest i do to reach these notes without bellowing!?
Answer.
Let your voice change registers.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey, I want to start learning to sing, I'm quite shy and don't have that much confidence, but I want to be able to sing like Phil Anselmo of Pantera, and that kind of singing is very powerful, could you give me a few tips on how I should go about learning to sing like this. I think my biggest problem will be volume, as I play guitar at the moment and so have some idea of pitch. Thank you!
Answer.
Do you worry about playing the guitar loud enough? Of course not, you just turn up the amp. Same goes for singing. Many beginners make it very hard for themselves by trying to sing as loud as they can. It kills all the flexibility to do so. Instead, try and sing at a medium volume and suck on that microphone. This will give you far more control.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I've been tryin for a while to tremble my voice while singing sometimes it comes out fine but i want to go a little faster and im having some problems.. How can i make it better? What shall i do?
Answer.
It's called vibrato and I
have a free lesson on my site you should read: http://www.voicelesson.com/html/lessons/free_lessons_07.htm
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi mark i am a 15 year old that is into a lot of rock. I am in a band and i play guitar. But in my spare time i write songs and lyrics. My problem is we are trying to play music like System Of A Down,Mudvayne and Three Days Grace and they have powerful singers. I know i am not the best singer in the world but i try to hit the high notes but they don't work. Also when i sing i kinda have an accent and it is driving me crazy. If i took singing lessons would it help me get rid off the accent thingy or will i stay with it because i don't like it at all.
Answer.
Yes singing lesson would get rid of your accent and get those notes that aren't working right now.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
hi mark. nice site by the way.
im 17, male, and by no means a decent singer, though i can hold a tune easy enough. i guess ide describe myself as a tenor, or bass voice.
for a long time now i have been un able to access my falsetto range. ive tried everythin i could find about it, but nothing seems to help. when i go up high in my register, my throat gets very tense, and im unable to un tense it. im aware that i need to be able to relax my muscles on my vocal folds, but i dont know how. i really want to be able to go falsetto, and it is so frustrating not being able to. are there any excercises i can be doing?
thanks
nick
Answer.
Try breathing in the note instead of the usual way. All you need is to trick the body into letting out a little squeak of a note. Try making animal sounds like kittens or birds too. Part of the problem is that you're trying too hard. Make it more playful and you'll stumble onto it.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
heyyy i'm 13 and i love to sing it's my passion. All of my friends say that i sing great but, i don't think that i'm that good. i think they just want me to be happy knowing that i'm good. i started singing in my school chours and its fun but kind of geekey. i'm all about keeping my reputation cool. i also started singing instomental songs and participating in school musicals. i just i'm tired of trying to be the best i wanna be good. it's my dream to be a star i want to entertain people. i already entertain my family and friends. but, thats not enough.I always wanted to audition but i'll be a nervious reck. i'll be scared i'll prabobly choke .i wabt to become more cofident. what should i do to practice to become better??
Answer.
You're already doing it. Keep up with chorus and the musicals. Your teachers will help you through the auditions if they see that you are there a lot and participating. Don't worry about the cool factor either. Being cool means not caring what others think.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
About 3 years ago, my friend and I were singing in the same competition. I got a higher rating than her, and we had sang the same song. When parents weren't around, she would tell me how much I sucked and how I should have got a much lower score than I did (I recieved the highest possible one). This didn't bother me at first, but she kept it up to the point where I would cry and tell myself I had to change my dream of becoming a singer. Even though I got over the fact that she said it, I can't get over the fact that it was said.I was unable to change my dreams, however much I tried. I still enter competitions and do relatively well in them, but I just don't have the confidence that I used to. I don't care what people think, but I still have trouble with confidence. Not only that, but if I try for something I want really bad, and I don't get it, I will re live what she said before and convince myself about how much I *suck*. I just want to go as far as I can because I want to become well known for my music, but I know that I would be much farther if I wasn't so unconfident. If you could help me, it would mean the world to me. Thank you in advance, your amazing!
Answer.
What a shame that you would let your so called friend win like that. She really got in your head. You've got to stop saying you don't care what people think and start telling yourself the truth: You care very much what people think. Here's the deal. People who are known for singing aren't the best singers in the world -- they are simply the people who can handle criticism. The second you open your mouth for others to hear you have to be prepared for some negativity. Nobody is immune. Superstars are either one of two types: Super smart or super dumb. The smart ones know better then to let comments get to them and the dumb ones . . . well they're just too dumb to know they're being criticized.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
mark,
i'm 20 i started singing when i was 17 i have a voice that suits Billy Joe from Green day, when i reach high notes i go into falsetto, but a while ago i discovered i could force my vocal chords into a kind of shout and get the high notes in a stronger voice but i can't control the volume, i want to be able to take both high and low pitches and want to be able to adjust volumes as well, is forced singing ok or is there any other way to reach high notes.
Answer.
You are controlling the volume when you shout those high notes -- you're making it loud. If you want to sing high pitches at a low volume you'll have to let the register change into either falsetto or head voice. Forced singing is what it is. It may be cool for certain parts in songs but not every time you sing. You lose emotional impact when you force every note.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark I've been practising singing whilst playing around on my guitar. I can hit the notes I want to hit when I sing quite but have trouble holding the melody when singing louder. Any Adice? thnx for your time.
Answer.
Your working too hard to sing loud. My advice is to practice singing loud without the guitar so you can experiment with doing less. Try and relax everything you can (jaw, neck abs) and still keep the volume up. Get used to that first then put the guitar back on.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, im a 15 year old girl thats in great shape, but for some reason my breathing techniques arent working! When I sing I get out of breath or either i cant hold the notes long enough! Is there any more breathing exercises you can help me do to improve?
Answer.
It's not your breath technique that's at fault -- it's your singing. I know it seems like you not taking in enough air because you're always running out on long notes. The problem is that you're releasing too much air when singing. For starters, sustain a very low volume hiss for sixty seconds. That's how little air should be leaving you when singing. Place your hand up right near your mouth and sing so that you don't feel air hitting your hand. You can also drape a piece of toilet paper in front of your mouth and sing so that the paper doesn't jump up.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
What is the word for jumping several octaves when singing, either at the end of a song or within the body of the song.
Answer.
An accident
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey. Im david. im 16-17 and i have a VERY deep voice. Is it harder to sing with a deep voice? Can i reech all the notes normal people can??? Coz when i sing i seem to mumble a bit.
Thankyou
Answer.
No it's not harder to sing with a deep voice just like it's not harder to walk with big feet. Everything is proportionate. It is harder to sing higher notes with a large larynx but that has nothing to do with mumbling. I think most of your issue is just being young and a little insecure. Most guys your age speak way too low and it effects their singing until they can break through the fear of letting go.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hey Mark, I have no problem getting through most notes, but after a while it becomes clear that i'm singing through my nose. so i guess my question is, what can i do to avoid this sound? Thanks again, Mitch
Answer.
Nasality means you're pushing too much air. You can literally hold your nose and sing vowels in order to discover what the right pressure is. When your nose stops vibrating you've got it right.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi! I am good at singing but im not very good at finishing phrases! How could i improve on this???
Answer.
Practice it! The hardest part is identifying what's weak in your game. Now that you know focus on finishing when you practice. Clap your hands to keep time and make sure you're ending your notes exactly on the beat.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I cant really sing like its not a gift for me. If I keep practicing and singing out loud all the time will i eventually get better and better till i can sing really good. I'm fifteen and i'de like to sing in a band.
Answer.
Yes, you absolutely can improve your singing and become very skilled. Keep at it!
Mark
Back to top
Question.
I have been singing my entire life. I'm a total soprano, but have been getting my voice to go lower little by little. I take lessons, but the biggest problem I have is I have no self confidence. I should, because I enter competitons and I do fairly well. I got to record a crappy demo, but none of this has made me any more confident. When I was younger, I had more confidence, but a person completely destroyed all of that. I still want to sing as a career and I still do competitions, but they are harder to do because I still never feel like IM good enough. I have to try out for a chorus soon that I have been planning to try out for for years and now I'm finally old enough, but I'm terrified. I've tried everything I could think of, and everything my vocal teacher could think of to get my confidence back. Any advice would mean the world to me!
Answer.
My advice is to forget about confidence and summon up some courage. Most people assume that the performers they watch on stage are confident people. That's about as far from the truth as you can get. most performers are incredibly insecure and struggle greatly with it until they get past the first verse of a song. All you need is some courage to start singing. Once you're in the song it's all good. Confidence only comes after. It's courage you need.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
Hi Mark,
First of all, thank you ever so much for giving your time, anergy and talent. Really appreciate it.
I am a 23 year old guy. I have sung in several bands, and I'm looking for one now. Earlier, my vocal upper range was a little above average. I really couldn't hit high notes. Nowadays, I find that I am able to sing many notes that I used to not be able to. The thing is, the voice comes out really powerful and loud (smooth nonetheless). Please tell me if this is normal. I mean... I wouldn't want to damage my voice...
Thanks Mark.
Cheers,
Rohan.
Answer.
Seems normal to me -- you're getting looser. You would know it if you were damaging yourself.
Mark
Back to top
Question.
my voice is sought of deep when i talk but when i sing im sought of sound like new found glorys singer,really high pitched,its not a bad thing, but how come i can do it?
Answer.
You squeeze you throat when you sing which only allows the higher overtones to emit. When you're talking you relax your throat which allows lower overtones a resonator.
M | |
_(1).gif)