dr karla scott

Who Else Wants to Learn How to Sing High Notes With Confidence?

If you're interested in learning how to sing high notes with confidence, you're in the right place. 

Three things trained singers understand about high notes that untrained singers may not, include: 

• How to approach/prepare high notes 
• How to sustain high notes 
• How to get consistent results with both
•  

In this lesson, you'll learn about the three parts of the vocal range (chest, middle and head), how each part functions and how each part affects high notes. 

Let's discuss the term passagio, pronounced (pah - sah- joe) before we go any further. 

 

Quick Insights on the Term Passagio  

Every voice, whether male or female has two passagio (passage) points as the voice moves from one register to the next, i.e. chest to middle voice, or middle to head voice. 

When singing in the passagio, most singers feel the voice 'narrowing', 'pulling' or leaning towards the next register.  

With proper vocal training, ALL singers can learn to navigate the upper and lower passagio with ease, and without cracking or losing control of the voice. 

Non-classical singers, call the passagio - the "vocal break," since singing through it can often feel as the the voice is about to crack. 

 

What Does the Passagio Have to Do With Singing High Notes? 

Everything.   

Imagine this... 

Think of the passagio as a short, narrow hallway you're must walk through two get to a grand ballroom. Now

imagine that you're wearing extremely fancy clothing - your absolute best.  There are two ways you can choose to 

navigate that  tiny, narrow passageway - you can squeeze, rush or force your way through or you can slow down, 

move carefully and remain focused on where you are going. 

 

What trained singers understand, is how to apply that exact approach to singing high notes. 

By singing through the "break" or passagio in a deliberate fashion, the body and brain have a chance to inform

each other of the most efficient way to navigate this part of the voice.  Over time, the singer learns to do so

quickly and with great ease.   

Once this concept is mastered, singers must learn the proper muscular/breath/mind balance that will allow

them to hold or sustain long notes. 

Finally, repetition of these actions will create muscle memory and a mental roadmap that allows singers to

achieve the same, good results over and over again each time they sing high notes. 

 

Final Words. 

If you read this brief overview, that lets me know you're serious about learning to become to best singer you can

be.   I'm also clear about the fact that you've figured out one of the ways to improve your approach to high notes. 

 

We're just getting started.  In later lessons, we'll talk more about accessing your vocal range and even recovering

parts that aren't working as well as they used to.   

See you soon!

Today's guest post features some outstanding rehearsal advice for choral singers.
Doreen Fryling is the author and I'm really glad to pass her tips along to you.

If you've ever been told to practice your music between choir rehearsals, but you aren't quite
sure what that looks like (without the rest of the group), here are some great, step-by-step suggestions
to make your private practice time effective.

Doreen is right on target with the advice she provides and
I hope you'll try some of these suggestions before your next rehearsal.

Enjoy!

http://bit.ly/1MpH2x6

Stay well, sing beautifully


Blessings,

Karla

SINGING
INSIDER         www.thevocalspa.com

If you're a musician, singer or creative, rehearsals are a big part of your life. 

You might attend weekly rehearsals for the praise team at your church.  If you're studying
music in college, daily rehearsals for an instrumental or choral ensemble are pretty common.

If you're a solo singer, hours of daily singing is not a great idea, so you learn the value and power
of mental practice.  (More about that in an upcoming blog).
 

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Read More




 

SINGING
INSIDER             www.thevocalspa.com


I hope summer is going well for you.  Mine just got a bit better.

It's been really great publishing for you each week, and while I could always use more feedback,
I'm proud to say that Singing Insider Blog now has readers in 25 different countries
and has been published in 6 online magazines!

When I started this blog, at the end of an extremely busy teaching and performing
year,  I just wanted launch a blog to get quality information into
the hands of singers - especially those in the body of Christ.

Months later, it has grown faster than I imagined, and I am so encouraged.

Having said that, this will be my last blog post for now.

I'm closing shop to enjoy some vacation time through the end of August.

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves and those we serve
is to take the time to rest, relax and be restored after a long season of work.
Check out this CNN archive Why Your Brain Needs Vacations.

The Singing Insider Blog will be back in September but until then,
come say hello on Facebook  or Twitter.  

Be sure to sign up for our weekly updates as well.

I'd love to hear about where you've been on vacation,  or where you'll be going.

Stay well, sing beautifully
 

The Power of the Word of God

SINGING
INSIDER             www.thevocalspa.com


The Scriptures tell us that we are body, soul and spirit beings (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  
 
The body, governed by 11 interconnected systems, is a divinely crafted masterpiece
allowing us to function in physical space.
 
Our soul governs the function of our mind (Prov. 3:31-32), will (Job 7:15) and emotions (Matt 26:38)
 
The functions of our spirit include communion with God (1 Cor. 6:17), 
intuition (1Cor. 2:11) and conscience - the ability to judge rightly (Acts 17:16)
 
I included this overview of our physical and spiritual design for an important reason:
 
Performing anxiety can have physical manifestations - and we have studied how it affects our physical body,
but the truth is; fear always engages us in a much deeper place – our soul.
 
Know this:  while fear will show up when you sing or speak for Jesus, you have a strategy to defeat it.

Your most powerful weapon here is not willpower - “I will make myself do it.”

Neither is it oblivion, which says, “I will ignore these thoughts and feelings 
until they go away.”



Our Secret Weapon is the WORD of God. 



Like any weapon, you’ll be most effective using it against an enemy

after you’ve spent time in training. I encourage you to spend consistent time
reading, memorizing and meditating on the Word of God.

Don’t just read the WORD, pray it.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand as you read.
Use commentaries/study helps to place what you read in historical context.


Most importantly, submit yourself to what the Word says.
When we become doers of the Word and not hearers only, 
the Lord can use
 our gifts to bring direction, healing and encouragement to the Body of Christ - and glory to himself.
 
Has this reminder about using the Word of God to combat fear been helpful to you?
If so, let me know in the comments section of the blog.
 
Stay well, sing beautifully.

Your Brain on Fear and How to Change It

SINGING
INSIDER             www.thevocalspa.com

The old adage - 'there is safety in numbers' is actually true.  

Those of us who sing in community as part of  a choir, praise team, band or ensemble
rarely suffer from debilitating nerves in fact, we perceive singing as a
desirable, fun and encouraging activity.  

Predictability - knowing what a group is likely to do -
combined with the feeling of protection associated with 
being in a group also eliminates fears.

The opposite is often true during solo performance.

Whether in sports, the arts or public speaking,
researchers have found that the likelihood of choking -   
performing at a level that is far below your skill level 
is directly connected to how you think when performing alone.

Turns out, extreme anxiety during solo performance,
causes the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) to become highly engaged.  

The reason this works against us is because
the PFC is not the part of the brain that handles stress well.  

Once involved, it can send too much information to the body
undermining skills that should function on autopilot like:  
hitting a ball, clearing a hurdle, or singing a phrase.

When this happens, the solo performer may find themselves
fighting racing thoughts, pounding heart,
sweaty palms, dry mouth - all while trying to display their skill
at a high level, in front of an attentive audience.

Intense to say the least.

One of the most effective ways to combat the
physical side of nerves is the use of rehearsed simulation.  

By creating stress, then rehearsing through it
the body can be retrained to perform flawlessly.

One of the easiest and most effective simulations involves
singing after 1-2 minutes of vigorous exercise  giving the body no time to recover. 

With disciplined practice, repeated simulation will decrease the connection between
the reasoning and motor areas of the brain. Performing will become part of 
your procedural memory - (auto pilot)  flowing from a place anxiety cannot touch.

We've seen this phenomenon in the greatest athletes, dancers and creative artists 
as they perform flawlessly in  "clutch" situations.

Rest assured, the same ability to overcome fear and perform with confidence
is available to you.

Sign up here so you don't miss next week's article about crushing anxiety
with more powerful weapons.  Hint: Proverbs 23:7

Leave a comment on the blog.  I'd love to know what you think.


Stay well- Sing beautifully!










 




 

Overcome Fear For Good - Part 1
SINGING             www.thevocalspa.com
INSIDER


If you've ever sung a solo, you've come face to face with anxiety, nervousness and just plain fear.  

For most of us, these feelings are common when we first begin performing but diminish over the years.  

Sadly,  that isn't the case for everyone.  

There are many singers who still experience tremendous fear after years of performing and ministering.  

Somehow, they've never accessed the tools that overcome anxiety and as a result, performing has become a double-edged sword.  (The same holds true for speakers).

Your situation may not be as dramatic as that, I mean, you may be a bit nervous each time you sing, but it doesn't keep you from performing -

What you don't like is how long it takes to settle yourself -

The song maybe halfway over before you're able to take your mind off your insecurities and focus on what  you're communicating.   

If you are a more seasoned performer, you may have total mastery over 'nerves' - You give negative thoughts no power -


No matter where you fall in the 'fear' spectrum, there are things you can do to overcome anxiety and perform at your best.


Over the next three weeks we'll take a look at tools that really work to banish  performance anxiety - immediately.


Question:  What is your most memorable "stage fright" story?  Leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you.

Stay well. Sing Beautifully.

 

7 Ways to Sing a Great Audition
SINGING           www.thevocalspa.com
INSIDER
 

 Do your research - What is expected?
Before going to that audition, it's important to know what the requirements are.  A broadway or classical audition might require you to sing, move and do a monologue.  A praise team audition might require you to sing a worship song and give a statement about how you came to know Christ.  A televised competition like The Voice or Sunday Best, might require you to sing from a certain list of songs and sign many legal documents if you pass the audition. A college music department might require a video recording before you are invited to audition live.  Know the requirements and be prepared.


Create a calendar and develop your network- Make a Plan
Some companies hold auditions at the same time each year - they operate within an audition season.
Opera companies, choral societies, televised competitions and Music Departments at Universities follow this pattern making them easy to schedule.  

Worship teams, church choirs, artists who need background singers, session work, and traveling plays have a much more fluid audition schedule - or they may be filled by word of mouth recommendations.  Here's where developing a network is very helpful.


Sing what you sing best  - Do You
 There's an old saying - "If you fell out of bed at 3am, what song could you sing perfectly?"  The pressure of an audition can make even a seasoned performer extremely nervous. When you are anxious, your mind and body do unexpected things. To increase your odds of doing well, choose a song that you love and that you have successfully sung many times before.  Muscle memory will kick in helping you to perform as you have in the past, despite the pressure of the moment.
 
 
Take Voice Lessons - Study (find out more)
 
If you are serious about becoming a professional singer, you’ll need a good teacher.  Singers with long careers study with good teachers whose ears and advice they trust.  As a beginning singer, try to avoid online and skype lessons at first.  While well meaning, it is virtually impossible for these methods to set you on a path to growth and true improvement.
 
Move Your Body - Exercise (find out more)
 
Ever noticed how extreme nerves can cause your heart to pound, make it hard to catch your breath and give you sweaty palms? This is exactly what happens to your body when you exercise.  Regular exercise can help diminish performance anxiety.
 
Drink Water - Hydrate( find out more)
 
Your body loses a great deal of water each day from breathing, perspiration, exercise and urination.  In order for your vocal cords to work properly, your body has to be properly hydrated.  It is a good idea to stop drinking caffeinated beverages and increase water intake for several days preceding your audition.   
 
 
Eat Clean  - Nutrition (Find out more)
 
It’s a good idea to limit salt and sugar intake for a few days prior to an audition. Excess amounts of either can cause the vocal cords to swell leading to hoarseness.
Instead, add fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats/fish to your diet.  These foods nourish the body so you will have energy to manage the stress of waiting for and singing your audition.
 
Which tip was most helpful to you?  Tell me in the comments below!


Stay well. Sing Beautifully

© 2015 The Vocal Spa

Where did my Voice Go? When one singer tries to do it all www.thevocalspa.com
SINGING
INSIDER


Darren is one of the most faithful Ministers of Music around. He is gifted, humble and anointed - truly a blessing to the church he serves. He heads up the entire music department which means he conducts band, choir and praise team rehearsals weekly.
He leads the worship service each Sunday often singing "fill-in" for any missing or weak parts. He directs the choir songs, again filling in where the parts may be lacking or unsure.

Just before the pastor preaches, he is often called upon to sing a sermonic selection.

Darren loves his church and is faithful to the call of God on his life to serve. There's just one problem:

Lately, right after praise and worship each Sunday, Darren's voice is gone...awol...kaput, and it never returns completely until Wednesday, just in time for the mid week praise service followed by choir rehearsals.

It now seems that Darren is always hoarse, alarming since he never seemed to lose his voice in the past. His ministry obligations never stop, but vocally, Minister Darren has begun to reach a point of diminishing returns.

What a common scenario this is. Today, music leaders in church are required to do more than ever. Commonly, the song leader "pulls" the entire service in a small church. General fatigue is common and so is hoarseness.  

This cycle continues (in part) because many small churches do not have rotating teams in place.

If a hoarse voice becomes common place, damage is being done to the voice. Even if hoarseness is infrequent (once or twice a year) the voice is still being traumatized during those times, but at a rate where the body can compensate and quickly regain balance.  

How often do you become hoarse?  Leave a comment below.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this article are not meant to serve as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
 © 2015 The Vocal Spa

Hydrate to Prevent and Heal Hoarseness
SINGING                    www.thevocalspa.com
INSIDER


Writing about drinking water during the summer seems pretty appropriate. Across most of the country, temperatures are soaring, we're all spending a great deal of time outside enjoying the wonderful weather at home and on vacation.

Many exercise enthusiasts live for this time of year when sunny, cloudless days make everything from morning jogs to sailing weekends a pleasure. Most of us naturally drink more water during this time of year because of the warmer temperatures.

Sadly, as we move into the fall months, many folks will drink less and less of this vital fluid and suffer for it.

Singers must stay properly hydrated - all the time. The demands placed on the voice during singing require proper moisture balance in the mucus membranes that cover the entire vocal mechanism.

Even with proper moisture balance, the aggressive nature of gospel singing can easily lead to vocal inflammation resulting in broken capillaries on the surface of the cords.

Capillaries, the tiniest of all blood vessels found in the human body, sound an alarm to the protective systems of the body when they become damaged.

What is the body's response to this damage? Inflammation. With symptoms that range from redness to pain and swelling, inflammation acts as the body's first line of defense against trauma.

Now I know this is getting a bit technical, so I'll nutshell the medical lesson for you. The uncomfortable, thick, painful sensation you feel in your throat after you have overdone it, is your body's signal to you that it has already begun to fight to bring itself back into balance.

Inflammation (with its uncomfortable side effects) is the body erecting a wall between the place of trauma and what caused the trauma. You must cooperate with the body's healing mechanism by resting and rehydrating immediately.

This article would go on for days if I mentioned in detail all of the things water does for your body. In short, water is like a car. Everywhere it travels in the body, it delivers hydration and helps the systems of the body maintain proper water balance.

Health is the absence of dis - ease and the presence of wholeness - (nothing missing, nothing broken) and water is an important ambassador. 

Comment below and tell us your tips for drinking enough water

Stay well, Sing beautifully.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this article are not meant to serve as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
 © 2015 The Vocal Spa