Happy BirthGAY!!

Today marks the second part of my 'birthGay' celebration. March 28 was the day 11 years ago that I made peace with myself and my sexuality. It was almost a rebirth because it brought about such a wonderful new era in my faith walk and my life in general. Well, 2 days later on March 30, I came out for the very first time. So I now celebrate both days as my 'birthGay'.
I share my journey with you in this new video. My hope is always that my coming out will inspire those who may still be closeted and will help straight people get a glimpse into what LGBT folks go through in the process of self-acceptance and reconciling faith & sexuality. Thank God for how far I've come.





As a bonus, I am a sharing the clip of the first song that I wrote honestly as a gay man. Though it came a few years before I actually came out, it was another major breakthrough for me.



It is indeed a blessing to be living so authentically personally and professionally.
‪#‎authenticity‬ ‪#‎gaybyGod‬ ‪#‎outandproud‬ ‪#‎outgaysinger‬ #outgayvocalcoach

LIVE YOUR REAL LIFE!!! Be blessed.

Performance Day Warmup Routine

Hey, vocal athletes!! I hope 2014 has been good to you so far and that you are actively pursuing your dreams and passions with vigor.

It's show day. You want to give the audience your very best. It's important that your voice is in tip top shape and ready to handle the demands that you will place on it once you hit the stage. You know that warming up is important to getting you there but you don't really know how to do that most effectively.

This video clip will show you how to put together a very efficient warmup routine that is implemented throughout the day of a show. The process should start a bit after waking up and is accomplished in short phases until your approach to the stage. Great preparation makes you not only well-prepared technically and physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

Here's to your domination of the stages you will rock this year. HAPPY SINGING!!!!

On Becoming A Voice Teacher

HAPPY AUTUMN!!!!

Teaching people how to sing well is one of the great joys of my life. Watching students become more confident and secure as they grow into their abilities is a remarkable blessing. In this video, I share how I ended up on this path as a voice teacher and those who had a great influence on my journey.



If you're looking for solid vocal training, don't hesitate to check out my website, www.harvillevoice.com, or my teaching videos on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL16C916F4E05F9D04, for more information.

Be blessed!!!

In The ZOEN

In order to broaden my reach to potential clients, I now have a profile on The ZOEN- the Zenph Online Education Network. It serves to connect those looking to study voice or other instruments with highly qualified music teachers. Lessons can be scheduled and paid for right on the website. Here is my profile- https://www.thezoen.com/teachers/earl-harville-voice. Or click on the cool button below-



If you or anyone you know is seeking top quality vocal training for their singing or speaking demands, you can direct them there as well as my website www.harvillevoice.com.

TRAINING THE VOCAL ATHLETE!!!!

My Teachers, My Heroes

I have been thinking a lot lately about the music instructors I had in college who believed in me, who saw the talent that I sometimes doubted. The musician and teacher that I am today is result of their encouragement and tutelage. My piano teacher Barbara Cunningham and theory professor Dwight Davis supported my decision to switch my major to music. Mr. Davis even gave me additional sightsinging/ear-training lessons for free!!! He also really thought a lot of my singing voice and gently chided me for not joining his vocal ensemble. Barbara pushed me to participate in the Piano Guild auditions so that I could be heard and critiqued by her peers. It allowed me to get further confirmation that I was indeed on the right path.

At Columbia College Chicago, I was blessed to get Brad Nitschke as my first voice teacher. It was life-changing!! I learned so much from watching him work with my fellow vocalists in our Techniques in Singing class. I discovered things about my voice I never knew I was capable of, to be honest. He not only had great belief in me as a singer, but also nurtured me as a future teacher of singing. The awesome Bobbi Wilsyn taught several of my vocal courses and was so inspiring to my developing artistry. She had great technique and incredible style. She pushed me to expand my repertoire base. Pete Scheiner and Laura Hoffman were my keyboard harmony teachers. They took me seriously as a piano player and helped me gain more confidence.

I would not be where I am without the knowledge they shared and their votes of confidence. I try to respect the work they put into me by putting my heart and soul into my teaching today. I believe it is my responsibility to continue the tradition of the serious artist/teacher alive, uplifting the students who trust me to help them reach their own musical goals.

Vocal Tip: Ping Pong Practice

Vocal tip- When working on a difficult passage of music, temporarily take the words out and vocalize it on one of your favorite exercise sounds. For me, I use 'bub', 'wun', 'ng', or the lip trill to get the notes more securely in my voice. Then once it feels like I can hang on, I go back to singing on the text. Go back and forth as much as you need to until you can sing the passage without strain. This ping-pong practice is very helpful and is one of the ways in which we merge technical practice into song work.

Look out for a YouTube clip elaborating on this concept coming very soon.

HAPPY SINGING!!

Earl

www.harvillevoice.com
Skype lessons are available

I Love To Sing!!!

Hello all!!

I've recently added some fun exercises to my toolbox as a vocal trainer. The primary focus is on agility, the ability to sing fast or intricate passages cleanly and accurately. In addition, this patterns are good to use to prepare students for work on stylistic runs and licks in contemporary music. I took the phrase "I love to sing" from the traditional classical arpeggio exercise and placed it in a 5 note diatonic pattern with a couple of twists. Check out this video clip as I demonstrate and explain how to approach these exercises. They are effective AND fun,so have at it!!!






As a bonus, here's a clip of me singing a bit of one of my favorite hymns. I show you a bit more of my gospel influence in this one. Not a perfect performance, but full of heart.



Happy March and Happy Singing!!!

Welcome to 2013!!!!

2013!!! Another new year has dawned. I don't know about you, but I am very excited about this one. I believe this year will bring amazing growth and progression.

2012 was a year of great blessings. I released my first two singles to the public. "Meant To Be" and "For The Longest Time" became available to the public in July on iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. That was a big step for me as a 43 year old artist. I continued to receive very positive feedback from my voice teacher peers as I shared my vocal training articles and began posting my vocal training clips on YouTube. I was asked to contribute guest blogs and began writing a new column on singing for Long Beach Independent. I taught some awesome clients who have continued to sharpen my skills as a vocal trainer, who make me very proud of their accomplishments consistently. I got to head out to Long Beach to celebrate my birthday in June as well as my best friend's in November. I did the Beachbody Challenge starting in July and lost 14 pounds. I gained new friends, supporters, and mentors who I appreciate greatly. I saw loved ones being blessed, which made my heart very glad. I even brought home a new partner in crime- a new digital piano!

There was also frustration and loss last year, though. I had really hoped to be back in California by 2012. Being patient is not always easy. To be honest, Gary, IN is not the most inspiring, energizing place to live. It can really have a dampening effect on one's spirits. I definitely had to deal with some serious homesickness. There was the loss of an amazing person to a senseless crime. She showed me so much kindness and love while living in SoCal that I so needed while being away from my family during holidays. My heart ached for her wonderful family that she adored. I will never forget her or her generosity. The world could use more people like her.

Now I find myself at the start of a new year, thankful for the growth in the past one. I am filled with great expectation for 2013. I was blessed to have a prophetic word spoken over me late last year that has helped to get me geared up for this year.
I don't do resolutions anymore. I am simply setting goals and working on the best way to reach them.

*GET BACK TO LONG BEACH!!!!!!!! - Getting back to that great city WILL happen this year!!!!

*Tied to that is the growing of Harville Vocal Studio in SoCal. I just launched my new www.harvillevoice.com website to start building the momentum. I am also continuing to develop relationships with well-established vocal coaches in LA to broaden my teaching opportunities.

*I plan to release a couple more singles this year and finally get my album completed. I just launched my new artist site www.earlharvillemusic.com and will focus on building up followship through my email list.

*I will continue my fitness journey with passion. I love the Les Mills Pump program that I started doing on the Beachbody Challenge and am continuing with that before going into the next program. Earl needs to get California-ready!! I have also become an Independent Beachbody Coach and will be working to share what I am learning with others who are looking to get healthier and fitter.

*I want to continue to grow in my intimacy with God. I feel that it took major steps forward in 2012 and I will continue to nurture that. I also look forward to more regularly attending services once back in LB, particularly at Open Door Ministries.

*I will write more consistently. This applies to my music as well as writing articles and more regular blog entries.

*I will work on being less anxious and staying in a peaceful place even when in the midst of uncertainty.

*Finding a husband would be nice. :-)


These are the things that are on my mind and heart as we start this new year. I resolve to put my passion to work for me and to see the fruits of my seed-planting manifest.

Here are my three theme songs for 2013!!! ENJOY!!!

Gotta Be Me

I am so thankful to be fully out of the closet at this point of my life. Not only personally, but also professionally.

As a vocal coach, I want to be a positive image of an openly gay man to those I teach who may really need that affirming influence. Maybe even fellow teachers could be encouraged. And as a singer/songwriter, I want to share music that is very honest- no using female pronouns when that is not my experience. It’s important for my songs to positively represent love between two men in an unflinching, natural way. I want there to be music released that I would have loved to hear when I was younger and afraid of my feelings. Tunes that could have validated me as a young gay man and musician.

In these ways, my being out is not only for me but also helps to make things a bit better for those GLBT folks who come after me, empowering them to live more authentically. ♥

Fueling The Voice

In my teaching studio, I can often be heard reminding students that we singers are like elite olympic athletes. The same driven, focused attention to training and proper technique that is required of the leading jocks is also a must for the modern vocalist. Likewise, attention to how we fuel our bodies is of major importance. Daily maintenance goes hand in hand with technical skill for success in vocal longevity and health.

Here is some insight into how I now maintain my own voice on a daily basis. I am increasingly sharing this knowledge with my students as well.

First, let’s talk hydration. It can never be overstated how important it is to keep our voice’s moisture level up high. The delicate vocal folds need to stay lubricated to work most efficiently. I can be found drinking a lot of room temperature water throughout the day. Health experts have proposed that we should be ingesting half of our body weight in ounces of water. So for me, that means taking in more than 100 ounces per day. I must admit, that is not always easy- it really takes work to stay on target. But it is crucial! Needed hydration also comes by way of long, hot showers before I teach or perform. The moisture is inhaled and can get to the vocal folds more quickly.

Though I was never a fan of black tea, I have come to love some herbal and green teas in recent years. I find peppermint tea very soothing for the throat (let’s remember that nothing we drink actually touch the cords or we would start to choke) and love it both after breakfast and at night before bed. Lemon ginger tea is also a favorite. Teas that contain licorice root or slippery elm are fantastic. These herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and irritation in the throat and vocal folds. Throat Coat made by Traditional Medicinals has them both and tastes fantastic!! I most often use honey as a sweetener. I have recently read that is also has some antibiotic and antiseptic properties.

The food we eat has a definite effect upon our voices. Some singers can tolerate dairy products with no ill effects but most of us have to deal with excess mucous if we partake. Spicy foods are the kiss of death for many while some can eat them and perform without a problem. It can take time to find what you can tolerate and what won’t work well for your voice. Even though my lactose intolerance has improved as I’ve gotten older, I know that I will have to deal with excess phlegm, which can hinder vocal cord vibration. Therefore, I limit dairy to lowfat or nonfat yogurt....and the occasional pizza. But on a performance day, I won’t have any dairy whatsoever.

As a result of doing the Beachbody Challenge for the past three months, my eating habits have been changing quite a bit. For protein, I am having a lot of chicken and turkey and very little pork. I am eating leaner cuts of beef such as sirloin for burgers and choosing flank or skirt steak, which don’t have much fat marbling. Foods higher in fat are harder to digest and can lead to heavy phlegm production. On performance days, I stick to the poultry. I don’t do a lot of spicy food but stay clear of them completely on performance days.

I am eating much more fruit nowadays. They are great for all the vitamins and some contain a lot of fiber. But there are some fruit which I love because they very voice friendly. Watermelon is very high in water content so it is great for getting extra moisture into our system. Strawberries are also heavy on my menu these days. Apples, too, are great for us singers. These fruits can be great pre-show foods because they are not hard to digest and can keep energy levels up.

Singers have a very high incidence of acid reflux disorder, which can be very problematic. So I make sure to have a couple of Tums after a meal if I am going to be teaching or singing sometime afterwards. I also make sure to sleep with my head elevated to prevent acid from coming up from the stomach and burning the delicate vocal fold mucosa.

Of course, daily vocal exercises are part of my daily routine. I warm up for no less than 15 minutes before starting to teach and generally 20 minutes before a show. On long teaching days or after a performance, I am sure to do a vocal cooldown before going to bed. It is the equivalent of a dancer or runner’s post-activity stretches. It is very important to get the folds back to neutral, speech-like state before sleeping so the voice will have a healthy start the next morning.

Singers, actors, public speakers, and all heavy voice users must make the daily care of their instrument seriously enough to adopt habits that will lead to health, consistency, and longevity. It takes discipline but the rewards will be great.

Influences

Hey everybody!!

I decided to talk about the singers, players, and writers who have had such a huge impact on me as musical artist. I find it hard to say who I think I sound like but I can share who helped to shape my sound and style. Check out the new video. ENJOY!!!

Process

Recently, I've been asked several times about how I write songs. I decided to share a little insight into my creative process with this video. Enjoy!!!

Let's Do This!!!!

Hey all!!!

Well, it really is time to get this damn album done, huh?

I have been getting refocused the past week or so on bringing this fruition. I was debating on whether to do a full album (9-11 songs) or an EP (5-6 tracks). For me, I think a full album would be the better option. If it's taken this long to finally do it, I want to really make it an event. I know that we're at a point in the industry where albums are becoming less attractive to buyers. I think that's because too few artists actually produce a record that has very much to say artistically. We end up with nothing but a collection of singles with a lot of filler. I refuse to do that to myself or those who choose to support my work. I still believe in the solidly-conceived full length record that has some heart and integrity.

So, I'm now deciding on what songs I feel would fit together best for this debut project. I've got plenty of slow jams. Now to fine-tune the uptempo songs. I am more than a balladeer, you know? I likes to get fonky, too!!! :-) I also am toying with adding a solo piano number and writing more inspirational stuff.

As I'm on vacation this week and have only a couple of lessons to teach, I plan to start recording some music this week. With a new keyboard and recording software in tow, Project: RECORD of BUST is about to commence.

September is now here and I still want to be back in Long Beach this fall. There is still much to get in order but I'm keeping the faith that things are going to be in place. Please join me in praying for favor and clarity.

NEW LEVELS IN 2012!!!

Meant To Be

At long last, I finally have some music available for purchase. I have released the song "Meant to Be" as my very first single. This live version was recorded back in January in Galena, IL where I was on vacation. It was recorded as I performed in front of fireplace- nice, huh? This song is about finding the guy I will spend the rest of my life with (I'm still working on that, but I digress). This will set the stage for more new music on the way in the second half of 2012.

I hope you enjoy it and, by all means... BUY IT!!! :-)

Developing Resonance

As I have mentioned before, the human voice is an acoustic instrument like a grand piano or cello. The initial sound is created by the vocal folds being set into vibration by the air coming from the lungs. This sound is quite small and would be hard to hear by listeners. Just as the piano's primary tone is amplified as the sound waves are magnified and enriched inside its wooden body and soundboard, the voice's sound is enhanced inside the cavities of the mouth, throat, and head. This natural amplification is known as resonance and is a most important element of tone production. It gives the voice carrying power and richness. It also gives us our unique vocal 'fingerprint', making each person's voice distinct and identifiable.

The development of each singer's natural resonance is a primary goal in vocal training. Unfortunately, it can become a convoluted undertaking. Sometimes an overemphasis on extending range- which is another extremely important goal- can cause teachers and clients to gloss over fine tuning vowels to make them more efficiently sung. Also the concept of 'placing the sound' often causes confusion and can bring about unwanted tension and constriction. Far too many vocalists run their voices into the ground by attempting to create big sounds by brute force, singing with way too much breath pressure. This habit can lead to serious damage to the tissues of the vocal folds. Singers need to be aware that proper resonance will give them the needed projection with far less wear and tear on the instrument.

Knowledge of how the voice resonates in the different registers of the voice is helpful at this point for all ye singer types. When singing (or speaking) in chest voice, the tones resonate largely in the mouth while feeling secondary or sympathetic resonance in the upper chest. Take your hand and place it on your chest then say a robust 'ha'. You will feel vibration against your hand in that area. Head voice finds its resonance primarily behind the soft palate and moves up and back as one sings higher. Place your hand on the top of your head and make a hooty 'oo' sound to sense the vibration. As we ascend from chest voice into the mix or middle voice, the resonance will move from the front of the mouth along the hard palate until head voice is reached. Having a physical awareness of the path of resonance is crucial to singing with a securely connected voice.

Here are some exercises to help you develop a more resonant voice:

1) Humming- This is something we all do but don't realize how beneficial it is as an exercise. You easily feel a lot of vibration as the sound waves bounce around and get amplified. Make sure that the lips are comfortably closed, not pressed together, and have the feeling of an 'oh' vowel in the mouth. Gently slide up and down your range. Try to get through your register shifts or bridges without a flip. Then move to humming on scale patterns. You can use a 5 tone scale, octave arpeggio, or the octave and a half pattern.

2) Humming with tongue stretch- Same as above but stick your tongue gently outward as you execute the hum. You get to warm up your resonance while also relieving tongue tension.

3) The 'ng' sound- One of my favorites!!! Make the 'ng' sound as in the word 'sung'. The back of the tongue raises toward the roof of the mouth while the tip stays behind the lower front teeth. It will be very buzzy like a hum. Again, do some gentle slides then proceed to scale patterns. An added benefit is the this sound is great for establishing good vocal cord closure.

4) The 'oo' vowel- This is a very warm, resonant vowel sound which also helps with stabilizing the larynx. As with the previous items, do gentle glissandi, sliding back and forth between chest, middle, and head voice. Then move to scales and arpeggios. 'Oo' is also great as cooldown after a lot of taxing singing.

5)Hum or 'ng' to a vowel- After getting an easy ringing feeling on the hum or 'ng', open to various vowel sounds. Start with 'oo' and 'ee' and then to more open vowels like 'oh' and 'ah'.

Make these a part of your practice regimen to heighten your awareness and coordination. Go team, GO!!!!!!!

For Lita

This blog post has been in the works for a few weeks now. Or maybe it's better to say that I've been wanting to write this one but held back. I guess I was anxious about it because it's about a very special person. Someone who left us tragically and senselessly. I wanted to do something to honor her but was afraid that words would fail me and wouldn't do justice to her and her amazing family. But since today is Mother's Day, I believe the time is right. So here goes.............

I met Estrelita Meyer on November 1, 2008. It was my second trip to Long Beach, CA to visit my buddy Eric Leocadio. His nephews were having a birthday party so he invited me to come along. It was there at the family gathering that I met a lot of his family, including his mom Lita. It was great to meet these people who I would grow to love but I remember wondering if she liked me because she didn't really say much.

In July 2009, I moved from my hometown of Gary, IN to Long Beach. Eric was going to be one of my roommates. He flew out here and helped me finish packing then we set out on a roadtrip from IN to the new house in SoCal. My family is pretty close knit and I was used to spending all the holiday with them having large BBQs or dinners. So I was missing them fiercely. I was blessed, then, to have Eric invite me to his family's gatherings. I really needed that. After helping Lita move from the older family home into her newer property, I got to spend time with her. I learned that I really liked her and she liked me too. She and Eric's siblings made me feel at home and like part of the family. I loved watching the dynamic between her and grandchildren. So much love!!! I spent Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, and Labor Days with them. The more time I was around her, the more I grew to love her. A special memory I have is of a dinner at her daughter Lani's house. I was sitting on the couch and she sat next to me, laying her head on my shoulder. I cherish that image.

One of Lita's major passions was singing. She was the karaoke queen!!! At every gathering, she would crank up the karaoke machine and get to crooning along with Lani. And she would make me get up and sing every time. I would protest but she would insist. I learned to make sure to warm up my voice before any gathering, by the way. But it was always big fun!!

Lita also loved plants. The garden at her old home was huge!!! She was completely devoted to her flowers. It was a beautiful sight. I saw how that love for gardening has rubbed off on Eric as well.

After retiring, Lita decided to return to the Philippines. Once there, she started to farm talapia and also wanted to start some other business ventures. She was set to visit the family back in California just last month. But right after Eric returned from seeing her in the Philippines, tragedy struck. On March 1, 2012, her life was senselessly taken from her. Some selfish person brutally killed her. It was a huge blow to her family and all who loved her. Eric and his brother Mike went back there to recover her body and bring her back home to Riverside, CA. She was buried at Riverside National Cemetery on March 16. I flew out there so I could pay my respects and support the family. The service was very moving and inspiring. Eric and Mike gave wonderful eulogies that spoke of her love and generosity. That resonated with me because I experienced it first hand from her and her children. It's been hard seeing my best friend go through such a tremendous loss. But I am encouraged to see the love she instilled in Eric, Mike, Lani, and Missy continuing to shine and honor her legacy.

Since music was our shared language, I wanted to share a song that I feel fits her perfectly. A few weeks ago, I really listened to the words of Beyonce's "I Was Here" and fell in love with the piece. Shortly afterwards, I knew that this was the proper song to use as a tribute to a life that blessed and enriched the lives of so many. Lita, this one's for you!!!

ESTRELITA DeLEON MEYER (February 11, 1944- March 1, 2012) RIP

Grateful

HAPPY 2012, PEEPS!!!

I had a great winter vacation from Christmas through the first week of January. It was a much needed break and I was glad to have my bestie in town for that. The resort in Galena was really nice. Even though we were vacationing, we still got some work done. I shot 3 new solo performance clips that are now up on YouTube. Thanks to Eric for recording!!

A couple of days ago, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness while posting my daily music links. I reflected on the wonderful support I have received once I started performing again and getting my music outside of my 4 walls. I have had such wonderful feedback from fellow artists and performers. The respect for my craft from other musicians means a lot.

This morning, I was hit with another round of gratefulness for God sharing the gift of music with me in the first place. To have dreamed of making music as a teen but not knowing if I even had the talent, I now can fully grasp what I've been given. Being able to express myself through singing and playing is one of the most awesome blessings one could get!!! Now that I have embraced my songwriter self, I am even more thankful that I get to share MY thought, hurts, joys, desires through in MY songs. How awesome is that????

Then, of course, I am so grateful that I get to share my love for the voice and singing with my students. It is an amazing joy to teach others to sing well and unleash their own voice and artistry. I can pass on the great teaching that I received from Brad Nitschke, Randy Buescher, and Angela Pressutti-Korbitz as well as all that I've gleaned from influential teachers like Seth Riggs, Brett Manning, Mark Baxter, Lisa Popeil, Dave Stroud, John Henny, and others. I love this work!!!

This year, I plan to honor the musical and teaching talents I've been given by pushing myself to excellence and being authentic as an openly gay artist and voice teacher. Gotta represent!! NEW LEVELS IN 2012!!

Here are 2 of the new clips that I shot during the vacation. I hope you enjoy!!!

Christmas Time!!

HO HO HOOOOOOOH.............


Yup, it is Christmas time again. It really snuck up on me pretty quickly!! Dang!!

Thankfully, I am in a much better place emotionally than I was a year ago. I had recently returned from living in Long Beach, CA. Coming back here was heartbreaking. I felt defeated. Unsure of what was next. I remember not wanting to play holiday music because I was so NOT feeling festive. The first few months in Indiana found me moody and emotional. Lots of tears. Lots of eating (we won't discus how much weight I've gained since winter 2010- UGH!) I don't think I really got back to myself in alot of ways until summer 2011. I began to feel more hopeful again. I could see that God was working on things.

This Christmas, I feel very inspired. I have grown a lot spiritually this year. I feel even more secure in who I am and what my role is. I had a prophetic word spoken over me recently that confirmed alot and leaves me feeling very confident in what God's cooking up for me. I am super excited because my best friend Eric is coming to town next week for an almost 2 week vacation. Watch out- Eric & Earl's Excellent Adventure: Winter Takeover is ON!!! While he's here, we'll shoot some new performance clips for my YouTube channel as well as a couple of vocal tip videos. Good times!!

I decided to include a clip of me singing a bit of Luther Vandross' "With A Christmas Heart". I did this in 2008, but this song never gets old. It's one his most beautiful songs, in my opinion. I love the lyrics. I hope you enjoy!!

Have a very Merry Christmas!!! Marinate in love, peace, and joy!!!

Let It Flow- A Primer on Breathing

In the world of singing, there remains to this day much confusion on the topic of breathing. There is disagreement among teachers and directors as to the most efficient way to control it. The diaphragm is given much more credit than it properly deserves. Too many singers learn to push as much air as possible to achieve a powerful sound needed for their demanding music. I have had a number of students tell me that their previous teachers would spend half of their lesson time on breathing exercises alone, with no great improvement to their technique as a result. Due to the great misinformation that singers have to contend with, I will finally address the issue of breathing in this article.

First, let's get clarity on what really happens when we breath. Once the brain registers that we need air, it sends the signal to the diaphragm to get things started. This dome-shaped muscle is thin and separates the chest (thorax) from the abdominal cavity. It descends upon inhalation and creates a vacuum, causing the lungs to fill up with air. The vocal folds open, allowing the air to pass through trachea into the lungs. Sitting beneath the diaphragm is the viscera, or organs housed in the abdomen- stomach, liver, intestines, etc. In order for this principal muscle of inhalation to fully contract, these organs must move out of the way. The result is the protruding or moving out of the lower belly. The lungs now can get the appropriate amount of air needed as the rib cage expands around them. This is INHALATION, pure and simple. Remember this is where the diaphragm holds court and performs actively.

Upon EXHALATION, the diaphragm abdicates its power. It does not rule this part of the process. Yes, folks, I must turn your world upside-down now. THE DIAPHRAGM IS PASSIVE DURING EXHALATION!!! *brings out smelling salts* This muscle has been esteemed higher than is warranted for far too long. The muscles that are actively at work to get air out of the body are the abdominals and intercostals, which are between and around the ribs. As the lower abs begin to contract inward and upward, the viscera also moves in the same direction. The organs press up against the diaphragm which allows air to be expelled from the lungs. The intercostals are contracting at the same time and also work to smoothly move the air upward through the trachea and towards the vocal folds. The true support muscles are the ABDOMINALS AND INTERCOSTALS!

An important concept that is largely overlooked or forgotten is that the vocal folds serve as the valve that actually gauges how much air can escape the body. No matter how well a person can inhale and use the proper support muscles, if the coordination of the folds is not well-developed, she still may not sing with great power or ease. There must be a balance between proper air flow/support and vocal cord closure for healthy, efficient singing.

In my teaching studio, I don't spend a great deal of time on breathing exercises. This is because most students don't have big problems with their breathing. Most of the time, their issues have to do with lack of coordination in the muscles of the larynx. If that's the case, why spend time on breathing when it's not the primary issue? Too many vocal instructors and choral directors attempt to fix every vocal problem with breathing because they don't know what else to do!! Oops, did I just go there? Anyhoo.... I will have students do a couple of breathing exercises to just to gain an awareness of what the body is doing. I will only use them repeatedly if a student has some very ineffective habits that need serious reprogramming.

Here are some useful exercises to build awareness of the breath function and which can be used to build more efficiency in your breathing:

1) The clutch- Place one open hand over the lower abdomen and the other hand in a closed fist pressed into your solar plexus. As you repeat each consonant 3 or 4 times, you will feel the lower belly gently press in while the solar plexus or upper belly gently firms outward. Don't press it out, just allow it to do what comes naturally. You should use 't', 'p', 'k', 's', and 'sh'. This exercise comes from noted nonclassical vocal pedagogue Lisa Popeil.

2) The 'surprise' breath- A gasp of surprise quickly brings a fair amount of air into the lungs. What we will do away with is the noise that comes with it. Place an open hand on the lower abdomen. Exhale fully. When you are completely out of air, open the mouth and gasp with surprise but do so without an audible vocal noise. The belly pops out effortlessly. Be sure not to lift the shoulders in the process because that can actually inhibit the expansion of the ribs. This exercise may also be performed with the hands wrapped around the rib cage.

3) The 'angle' breath- Sit in a chair with your torso at a 45 degree angle and your arms resting on your thighs. Exhale fully. Breath in through your nose for a slow count of 4 or 5 beats, then exhale through the nose for the same count. You can feel a deep expansion of your rib cage all around the body and especially in the back. It very difficult to raise the shoulders in this position so I use this one often for students who habitually breath very high and shallow.

4) The classic 'slow leak'- With hands either around the ribs or on the lower belly, exhale completely and feel the inward contraction of the lower abdominals. Once you have completely exhaled, gently sip in new air as the belly releases and slowly moves inward. The ribs will also slowly contract inward, though that should be as slow as possible. Inhale for 4 or 5 beats and exhale for 8 to 10 counts.

Though your actual performance posture may not always be ideal depending on your chosen genre's stylistic demands, it is important in the training process. A comfortably high chest and relaxed shoulders will allow your breath to flow more efficiently and comfortably. That needs to be the case whether standing or sitting.

I hope this piece gives you greater insight into what all the fuss is about concerning breathing for singers and speakers and that you will find the balance needed between how you breath and how you phonate.

Now, go make some noise!!!!!!!!!!

Training the Child's Voice in the Private Studio

Singing is one of the most important means of communication that we are blessed to experience. It is the means by which we express our innermost thoughts and feelings in a language shared by the whole world. We sing songs as worship...as symbols of patriotism...as words to inspire change...to amuse...to romance....to uplift. Often, it is forgotten how integral singing is to our existence. When at play, children seem to almost instinctively sing as part of their games. These same young voices are instruments capable of producing a wide array of tones and timbres. In order to access this wide range of sounds, though, the sounds produced at play are not enough. Proper training in healthy vocal production is needed.

Recently, I have been asked quite a bit about the appropriate age to begin voice lessons for children. Parents realize that their kids have either an overwhelming enthusiasm for singing or some substantial native talent that they want to properly nurture. They just wonder if formal lessons are safe for the youngster to undertake and worth the financial investment. First of all, I stress that the most important issue with kids is their attention span and not the perceived talent level. I've had some clearly gifted 7 year olds come in but they did not have the focus and maturity that is needed. Once that is explained, I relay that I believe lessons can successfully begin at age 8. I have trained a couple of 7 year olds, though, because they had the requisite focus, attention span, and teachability in addition to natural musical instincts. As long as the training is based in healthy technical habits and applied correctly to songs, there are no inherent dangers.

Many people wonder what young singers can actually learn in private voice lessons. Some have believed that their physically immature instruments cannot acquire any real technical skills until their voices fully develop at puberty. But I am one of many who work with kids on a regular basis who believe that these voices can develop quite a lot of facility if guided correctly. We must remember that singing is an intricate psychomotor skill, not so different from the learning of piano, dance, or athletic moves. It's all about the systematic training of correct muscle memory which builds healthy technique that will strengthen and protect the voice. And if the goal of vocal study is establishment of good vocal habits that will carry over into adulthood, vocal technique has to be of primary importance! Of course, this must be balanced with singing good songs, but it will be difficult to expand repertoire if the instrument is limited in the sounds it can produce.

The very same technical issues that need to be taught to adult singers need to be taught to kids. The building of tone production practices is essential. Child singers need to develop the ability to produce tones without undue tension and restriction. They must be taught proper breathing techniques and good body posture and alignment. Range extension is still important for kids, even though it must be applied relative to their still-growing voices. Many of the exercises that I use with my adult clients are used in the sessions with my youngsters, though sometimes with modifications. I also make sure that I introduce them to correct terminology concerning how the voice is put together and how it works. They learn about head and chest voice, the larynx, vocal folds, diaphragm, and resonance. They need to start learning a singer's vocabulary from the start of their study.

We are seeing some fine examples of superstar singers who have become elite vocal athletes because of some fantastic vocal training starting at a young age- Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Adam Lambert among others. It is a worthwhile investment to begin lessons with a child who has the love for singing coupled with a sense of focus and discipline. The teacher must have a great knowledge of vocal pedagogy and a personality that can provide a safe, nurturing environment for the young singer to embark on this great journey of singing study.