I often have singers turn up in the studio who are having a sticky time with their belt voice. The low notes are great and beautiful, but the top feels and sounds pushed and kinda just stops – at the top there is belt then something that is not belt, but not balanced and mixing into higher notes. This singer might also say things like “I have trouble finding my mix”.
I feel like a million singing teachers are nodding their heads with me “oh yeah, we know that singer”.
I really love working with these students.
This morning I taught a lesson that left both the new (to my studio) singer and myself elated. It was SO much fun! We spent quite a long portion of the lesson on functional training to rebalance her voice. Then when the time came to sing a song the student was able to sing without trying to “make it happen” —it just happened. The belt was free and delicious, the head register was soft and breathy (and stylistically appropriate to the R&B song), and her mix was no problem – no need to find it, it just showed up!
Of course not all lessons consist of a long session concentrating on functional work. We actually spent the last bit of this lesson working on style in a functionally free way and as this singer continues, we will probably spend less time working on function and more on repertoire.
I’m finishing up on the 19th December and have bookings coming in for next year. If you are a singer and want to join me for lessons, either before the 19th December or from 18th January 2021, contact me now!
If you are a teacher who needs guidance working with your students, check out my teacher training page and let me know how I can help out!
If you run a university course and would like me to help with a CCM / Musical Theatre studio or masterclass (like last week’s classes at Temple University! So much fun and thank you for having me!) check out my clinician page.