Beginner Vocal Lessons now available on “Skype”/"Zoom" Online Virtual (Video conferencing).
Dr. Voxx's SINGING BUNNYSLOPE for Total,Complete,&Absolute Beginners
Beginner Voice Lessons Singing Lessons
Call Richard 510. 776. 8166. (Due to text scammers, Calls only, please.)
Supporting Black Lives Matter.
They say that The #1 Fear in America is not Death, but actually Public Speaking. Wrong I think
The #1 Fear in America is Public Singing.
And with good reason. A seven year old driving a Humvee experiences a greater sense of control than most green singers do when they try to tackle their favorite songs.
The possibility of being totally out of control in public is terribly thrilling for some, which partly explains the insane crowds trying out for 'American Idol'. It is not terribly thrilling for others, which explains the equally insane bar tabs they run up at karaoke places.
But hang on, there's a mystery here. Fact: about 99 % of the population can tell fairly easily if someone else is singing out of tune. So if most people have pretty accurate ears, how come they have so little control when they start to sing?
There are several very good reasons for this, (tho' some of them are too complicated to explain here). One of them is that their ears ARE very good. They know instantly if they don't sound up to scratch, and this stops them in their tracks. Then they beat themselves up for being incompetent instead of getting effective help.
They don't realize that ALL inexperienced singers make the SAME mistakes, and all competent singers do the SAME things right, whether they are aware of what they are doing or not.
Which leads to another good explanation for the general state of vocal competence. Just as some dancers and athletes seem to be born with extraordinary control over their movements, there are some singers who sound right almost all the time. Most of these lucky people have little or no idea how they do this. And of course they wonder why you can't. It's not fair, and it's intimidating. In the absence of effective training for the rest, such people will tend to dominate.
Fortunately, it's MUCH easier to learn how to sound really good when singing, than it is to look really good when dancing.
So what are some of the things these good singers get right that the rest of us tend to screw up?
Well, their vocal chords are no 'better' than yours or mine. (And connections between the brain and the vocal chords ditto. )
But they BREATHE differently. They use FEWER SOUNDS than in normal speech. Their POSTURE doesn't pull their vocal chords out of alignment. They produce CONSONANTS differently. Their muscles co ordinate DIFFERENTLY, and so on. It's quite a long list
.but it's all teachable. And anyone can learn it.
Now many Gospel R&B Rock singers pull out a lot of funky techniques that Classical singers uhm prefer not to. And sometimes the other way around
.but all this technique is teachable. And anyone can learn it.
Now you're going to ask me something like 'So then anyone can sound just as good as Aretha, or Elvis (or whoever)?' And the answer is 'Maybe. Maybe not, because of genetics'. Let me explain.
1) Bad News: Nature is horribly unfair. Genes for many different kinds of 'superior sounding vocal instruments' are randomly distributed among the population.
2) Good News: So is taste. Lots and lots of people don't care for Aretha, or Elvis. They like Janice Joplin and Tom Waites. There are lots of 'good' voices and they all sound different. Which leads to
3) Interesting News: Did you know that some people with really 'good' voices would rather have an entirely different kind of voice than the one they were born with ? ( However in the end they usually enjoy singing so much they get over it. )
4) Really Good News: Genetics just isn't the main deal. Even if your 'vocal instrument' isn't Stradivarius quality, the SKILL with which you can learn to use your voice is such a HUGE factor, that you can sound WAY better than loads and loads of people with 'better' voices who sing ok, but DON'T KNOW HOW to sing as well as you do. Plus the random distribution of taste will kick in to ensure that lots of people will like the way you sound.
But until you learn to use your 'vocal instrument' a little better, until you learn some good technique, neither you nor anyone else can tell what kind of voice you were born with. You might be sitting on a gold mine.
Either way, you'll be sounding pretty good. pretty soon.
So like a lot of good things in life, if you don't try it, you'll never know.
OK. So, The BUNNYSLOPE.
Well, it takes about 12-16 weeks.
And it moves you easily from
'Hmm'
to
'Hmm! Not Bad !'
And it's incredibly relaxed and friendly, really!
I teach you lots of surprisingly easy stuff.
You learn to get control of your 'home range'.
Then you start to sound really quite good.
And of course you choose the songs you want to sing.
And, let me think, er, our new Mantra for the Bunnyslope will be:
'Confidence Comes From Competence'
So let's see how I can help you
OK?
If you need further details of my general approach, please see my Ad under:
'Power R&B Rock Pop Jazz Blues VOCALS Learn The Secrets '
Looking forward to seeing you soon
Warmest Regards,
Richard 510. 776. 8166. (Due to text scammers, Calls only, please.)
And now here's all them thar details:
Call Richard 510 776 8166. (Due to text scammers, Calls only, please.)
Specializing in Advanced Professional Contemporary Vocal Technique
Rock R&B Pop Blues Jazz Country Folk and Stage Music
I am conveniently located right by El Cerrito Plaza BART and charge $49 per session (with monthly discount), usually more than an hour.
Just bring a list of the songs you think are right for you, or that you want to challenge yourself with, a fresh notepad, and we can get going.
Call me 510. 776. 8166. right now and we can get started right away. (Due to text scammers, Calls only, please.)
Sing Power, Edge, Warmth and Style!
Mahalo,
Richard
Foot Note: Please read this if you play an instrument while singing.
What is "Cardasian Syndrome" ?
If you play bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, piano or another keyboard, or if you dance, drum or perform in other ways using your shoulders on stage (e.g. violin, sax, flute, trumpet or other brass, or woodwinds) you may have an unconscious tension habit I call "guitarist's neck" or "Cardasian Syndrome". This posture will immediately limit your vocal power, tone and range like a straight jacket.
San Francisco Bay Area
East Bay Area
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