Total Noob Questions

[XavTango]

Hi everyone! Though I am older (34) I have absolutely no clue about the science of singing nor the technique. When I wanted to sing I just sang and it sounded O.K. Now that I am older I don't think I sound anywhere near as good as I used to (nor do I have the endurance) and would really like to learn about the whys of sound and how to get the max out of what I have.

With that said, what is the best way for a total ignorant to get that knowledge and begin to practice techniques to avoid strain, fatigue, and raspiness. My genre is Hard rock/ Alternative and I currently jam with some co-workers after work and do some guest appearances with my friend's band if and when they decide to play a harder song (like TooL or Rage Against the Machine) instead of their standard Journey and Foreigner tracks.

Any advice or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

[VideoHere]

Hi everyone! Though I am older (34) I have absolutely no clue about the science of singing nor the technique. When I wanted to sing I just sang and it sounded O.K. Now that I am older I don't think I sound anywhere near as good as I used to (nor do I have the endurance) and would really like to learn about the whys of sound and how to get the max out of what I have.

With that said, what is the best way for a total ignorant to get that knowledge and begin to practice techniques to avoid strain, fatigue, and raspiness. My genre is Hard rock/ Alternative and I currently jam with some co-workers after work and do some guest appearances with my friend's band if and when they decide to play a harder song (like TooL or Rage Against the Machine) instead of their standard Journey and Foreigner tracks.

Any advice or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

well, assuming you can afford vocal lessons.....great...if not, or in addition to, supplement with with a few good books and cd's and start learning (or re-learning) basic breathing and develop breath support. this, to me, is the absolute biggest most overlooked and passed over component of vocalizing especially for hard rock vocals.

[XavTango]

I am thinking of ordering and using The Four Pillars of Singing: Definitive Techniques for the Modern Vocalist - Robert J. Lunte. I saw a link on this site, went to his site and watched an hour or so of different videos on what he is trying to teach.

Does anyone here have experience with this system and can give a neutral review of its aspects, good and bad? I like that fact that even though I am in Boston, I can have a lessons with Robert via Skype with him in Seattle. that is pretty cool. The cost is not extreme but not throw away money either. has anyone done this? thoughts?

Videoehere- I agree with the breathing support you mention. I really need to start at the basics and get motoring from there. What books do you recommend?

[VideoHere]

I am thinking of ordering and using The Four Pillars of Singing: Definitive Techniques for the Modern Vocalist - Robert J. Lunte. I saw a link on this site, went to his site and watched an hour or so of different videos on what he is trying to teach.

Does anyone here have experience with this system and can give a neutral review of its aspects, good and bad? I like that fact that even though I am in Boston, I can have a lessons with Robert via Skype with him in Seattle. that is pretty cool. The cost is not extreme but not throw away money either. has anyone done this? thoughts?

Videoehere- I agree with the breathing support you mention. I really need to start at the basics and get motoring from there. What books do you recommend?

in no particular order, and i'm sure to leave out (sorry) some others:

i read (and even re-read) everything i can get my hands on because it helps when you cannot grasp a concept some other author may explain it better or reinforce the knowledge you have gained.

anything written by jaime vendera, rob lunte, dena murray, roger kain (kain has an agressive approach, not for everyone) thomas appell and jeffery allen. kevin richards cd set.

hope i've helped.

[analog]

Videoehere- I agree with the breathing support you mention. I really need to start at the basics and get motoring from there. What books do you recommend?

Xav,

In my opinion...the best "bang for your buck" would be either:

Complete Vocal Technique (http://completevocalinstitute.com/) Cost is 53.74(Euros) This includes the book and the EXTENSIVE sound library.

You might also look into Estill(EVT) based program, a la Gillyanne Kayes' "Singing and the Actor" ( http://www.vocalprocess.co.uk/) Book and Audio CD is 27.98(Pounds)

Both of these approaches cover(at the absolute very least) the basic foundation you will need to make just about any sound you could ever want(CVT more so with the in-depth Vocal Effects section.)

Good luck!

[keoladonaghy]

XavTango - you're still a kid compared to me. Started last June at age 49, so don't ever let the idea that your age is going to have much if any influence on your results.

What I did was went to YouTube and checked out a lot of the name people and folks who had instructional methods. I started with Jesse Nemitz at Brent Manning's Singing Success, but more recently working with Robert Lunte here. They're both awesome, different approaches and energies. Also have Kevin Richard's method; seems excellent but focusing on Four Pillars wand will weave in Some of Kevin's exercises, too.

If at all possible, get some lessons from one of these pros in addition to their commercial material. I probably would have given up if I hadn't had Jesse and Robert there to stop me from doing things wrong and helping to break old habits. Perhaps some folks out there can do it with just the books, CDs and DVDs, but I know I couldn't have. Robert has his four corners; mine are materials, coaching, practice and patience. :D

[XavTango]

I ordered Robert Lunte's 4 pillars system and unbelievably, Robert called me last night at home to talk to me about the system, my aspirations, etc. It was amazing. That's like getting a call from Tony Romo because I bought an autographed jersey. Now THAT is personal service!!

I have a wealth of information to try and process but I thank you all. I guess I never took the time to think about how technical singing is and how much science is behind it.

Keoladonaghy: Can you tell me what I can expect in the initial phases of just getting started? Any do's and don'ts I should be aware of in the early going (or in the late going for that matter).

[VideoHere]

I ordered Robert Lunte's 4 pillars system and unbelievably, Robert called me last night at home to talk to me about the system, my aspirations, etc. It was amazing. That's like getting a call from Tony Romo because I bought an autographed jersey. Now THAT is personal service!!

I have a wealth of information to try and process but I thank you all. I guess I never took the time to think about how technical singing is and how much science is behind it.

Keoladonaghy: Can you tell me what I can expect in the initial phases of just getting started? Any do's and don'ts I should be aware of in the early going (or in the late going for that matter).

may i again say, i can't believe in this more...get the breathing and breath support part underway and learned..do breathing exercises!!! sustained breath, diaphragm panting, lip rolls..

got to get the breathing nailed down, which will help so, so much.

[XavTango]

Video: I just started today with my first breath exercises along with some other beginner-type stuff. Obviously only day one but I feel better if nothing else, if only because it is good to actually be working towards a goal instead of just kind of watching drift from afar.

[keoladonaghy]

Keoladonaghy: Can you tell me what I can expect in the initial phases of just getting started? Any do's and don'ts I should be aware of in the early going (or in the late going for that matter).

XavTango - a few other folks here have said this more eloquently, but practice doesn't make perfect, practice make permanent. So if you are practicing wrong you do more harm than good. Get a lesson or two with Rob or someone else qualified and make sure you really have a grip on what you are doing. I thought I did a few occasions, found out I wasn't doing things quite right, and it was even harder to break the bad habits I'd been reinforcing.

Be patient with yourself. I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of starting training, and still do more exercises than actual singing. I know I should do more real singing and am working on it.

Don't over-do it. I started out practicing 6-7 days a week maybe an hour a night. It was HARD to take a day off because I enjoyed it so much. Eventually worked up to 90-100 minutes a night. I found, however, that after a day or two off my voice really felt stronger and more confident. For the past two weeks I've only been able to 3-4 days a week, and had to take 4 days off in a row because of work load. I came back, and man, did my voice feel good. Warmup took a little longer, but I think I sounded better after those 4 days off than I ever had.

There is no such thing as a stupid question in this forum (though some may disagree). Everyone here is very kind, generous with their time and knowledge. Fire away if in doubt. I'm not qualified to answer, but someone here is and will.

That's about it! Good luck. :P

[VideoHere]

Video: I just started today with my first breath exercises along with some other beginner-type stuff. Obviously only day one but I feel better if nothing else, if only because it is good to actually be working towards a goal instead of just kind of watching drift from afar.

xavtango, look at vocal exercising like a lifestyle directly proportional to your level of interest. the better a singer you desire to be (highly subjective) the more you need to work at it.

i love to sing high, and loud, and sexy to be honest...and so i know i need to have good breathing, breath compression (support) and a wide range.

i'm in my third month now and yes, there are times where i feel i have taken a step back but i keep plugging away on my own.