Top Ten Singers... Do You Agree?

I realised the other day that I haven't done one of these Top Ten thingymajigs that seem so popular these days. So, here's one for you.... in fact, here's one compiled by http://social.popsugar.com/100-Outstanding-Pop-Vocalists-1659579 and, what's even better is that it's the Top 100! Brucey Bonus or what! 

But, what I found most interesting was that out of the Top Ten... only 3 were male! So, let's hear it for the boys... Whoop to Michael Jackson, Johnny Gill and Usher who managed to sneak in there. Biggest congrats though have to go to the Number One choice of Christina Aguilera.She probably won't be everybody's first choice but there are a few things about her and her style that do make her a definite worthy contender for holding the top spot. For example she has a very emotional voice and can be powerful and dramatic but also soft and gentle when needed to do so.

Here's the Top Ten list for those of you who didn't fancy pressing the link button:

 1. Christina Aguilera
2. Mariah Carey
3. Michael Jackson
4. Celine Dion
5. Johnny Gill
6. Whitney Houston
7. Beyonce
8. Alicia Keys
9. Avril Lavigne
10. Usher

There you go... any surprises (Avril)? Anybody obvious missing (Kelly C)... let me know what you think :)

Until next time... keep singing!

Singing Lessons... Do They or Do They Not?!

So, when you watch a program like The X Factor or The Voice can you tell immediately which of the contestants have taken singing lessons? How do you know whether natural talent is trumping vocal coaching?

There's obviously been a lot of these 'talent' programs since the initial Hearsay days gone by, and I would say that we're all getting pretty accustomed to being able to tell a great vocalist from a bit of a naff one. I'd even go so far as to say most of us can spot those who have had singing lessons against those who have quite possibly peaked already. For example, if you remember the original auditions for the top singers that are Kelly Clarkson or even Will Young, you can without a doubt see the style still their today... albeit it a diamond in the rough.

But one thing I do like to watch with these TV shows s just how the singers react to vocal coaching and technique classes over the final weeks. A particularly great example was Leona Lewis and how she responded in the most fantastic manner to the singing lessons that were put her way.

Can you think of any other singers who started out 'OK' and then with the help of vocal coaches and the like were able to become AMAZING? 

 

Cheryl Cole? Hmmm... the jury is out on that one :)

Pro-Mic Technique from a Singing Teacher

As a singing teacher a lot time gets spent working with students on their microphone technique. Becoming a master of the mic is a hugely important part of any performance. Therefore, technique with a microphone should be perfected and practiced at every possible opportunity so it can truly be mastered.

As an example. if you watch Jessie J singing you will notice she has professional and powerful mic that is different from the standard Shure SM58 mic. But, do not let this fool you Miss J is a microphone wizard and would sound equally as fantastic on a £10 Argos microphone!

Whilst singing teachers will have their own variations the following is a useful list to help you get the most out of the mic you use and develop great technique.

1.     Hold the microphone in your hand. It means it will be easier to move than stationery placed in a stand and will give you more control whilst helping to develop performance skills.

2.     Sing into the microphone properly! Too obvious!? But, you need to remember that a mic is directional and so the closer (or louder) you get to it, the louder the sound will come out of the speakers, which is great for dynamics. Ideally you should sing with the microphone head around an inch away from your mouth. Touching the mic head itself with your lips will only increase distortion (and, with a mic jammed into your chops quite probably bad diction!).

3.     A singer needs to sing directly into the head of the microphone.Don't try to look cool by tilting it down and singing into it from below... it will not sound good.

4.     The microphone is the shape it is for a reason. Hold the body and keep your hands off the round mesh head because this will alter the produced sound and can result in feedback.

5.     Always check the length of your mic lead to ensure you won't be fighting for more cord, or, pinging yourself backwards like a comedy cartoon character on elastic! It will not look cool either way :)

6.     And, always remember my 3 P's rule... Practice, practice and practice!! It really does make perfect you know.

And, that's it for today. Hope it proves helpful :)

TTFN

The Age of Singing... When Should you Start?

One question both myself and singing teachers I know get asked a lot is 'how old should you be before you start taking singing lessons?' My personal answer on this issue depends on what is trying to be accomplished. For example, if the person asking me about the lessons is a parent who is looking at taking their youngster and turning them into the next Charlotte Church singing prodigy, then I would say they need to wait until they are around the 9-10 year old stage. AND, and this is really important, they need to want to do the lessons themselves. It's no good trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. If the child doesn't want to sing and has no real interest then lessons will be wasted as they may attend, improve, but never really reach their full potential through a lack of desire and passion. Remember, square peg, round hole... it's very important.

However, if you have a little 'un that is just so in love with the sound of their own voice and wants to sing along to everything and anything. Then, for me, it's never too young to get involved in the wonderful world of music. But, it depends in what capacity. My personal belief is that starting young (7 years old for example) should be fun! And, then you should add a pinch of FUN! Things like sight singing and music theory may be a sure fire way of killing their enthusiasm and making the lessons so dull that they will lose all interest. Things like singing classes in groups of other children, or school workshops like those the school provide, or, even just modern pop songs being taught in a manner that keeps them interested, excited and wanting to improve would be my personal preference.

School workshops (for example, check out www.clutterbucks4schools.co.uk - who provide school workshops for Children of all ages, but mainly primary) particularly these days are gaining momentum and there are some great practitioners and music teachers out there who are really flicking the switch in children's minds and getting them not only interested in music at an early age, but also driving their passion, belief and building confidence. In addition to school workshops for children there are also many professional singing schools out there that will place your child in classes with likeminded children and young, funky teachers who again will inspire instead of quashing all passion.

Anyway, back to the question... how old? For me, if the youngster is really interested and wants to learn in a backhanded way via workshops or singing classes... realistically, I would say about 7 years old. For more traditional style singing lessons or school workshop style lessons 9-10 years of age.

As usual, I personally also recommend http://www.vocademy.co.uk/courses - because they provide singing courses and singing classes for 7-18 years of age with brilliant singing teachers!

And, that's it... hope that helps, but let me know if you have any other opinions, stories or experience you'd like to share.

Thanks :)