'Protools and Why Singers Should Study Vocal Technique'

Thought for the day:  Why should we study technique as singers!? As I've said before, we study technique in order to get it out of the way. And I wholeheartedly believe that! But with today's modern technology, a skilled engineer can thread a great recording out of bits and pieces of a mediocre performance. As long as one 'good' consonant, sustain, emotion, etc. is in the can... You get the picture. So why bother, right!? (Putting aside the singers inability to produce it live, well that's a whole different post in itself!?) But last week as I vocalized an outstanding young artist for a recording session, I stumbled onto a little something that was worthwhile to share on the matter! PROTOOLS can make you sing in tune but it can't take it out of your nose!? THAT has to be done in-house. If your voice lacks depth, flexibility, or clarity that too cannot be addressed with the click of a mouse. It can only be covered up! (Think auto tuning to the extreme.) If you are struggling with singing out of tune or you regularly experience frustration while singing, THOSE challenges are an indication that your singing fundamentally lacks vocal balance. Simply put, you lack an ease of getting out of the bottom of your voice and into the top (and/or vice verse.) The process of singing has become jammed up or 'mucky' for you. But rest assured, you are not alone! This is where 99.9% of ALL singers struggle. The way we deal with this dilemma as singers denotes our individual tendencies; to push it in our nose, to crack it in the top, to over culture it, to sing ourselves hoarse... But learning to sing in a vocally balanced manner is easier than you might think and results in a voice that is uncluttered and unmanufactured and is easily produced across your ENTIRE vocal range in a clear, flexible tone at any dynamic level.  So why not give it a try!? Most see dramatic results in their very first lesson! Book now:  Rachel@RachelRainsVocalStudio.com 

Dear Mean Girl

Recently while thinking through a particular sticky situation, I wrote the following piece 'Dear Mean Girl...' Although the subject matter is a slight departure from what I might usually post on my RRVS social media pages, I felt the words were powerful enough to share! Please feel free to repost...

Many Blessings! 

'The Recording Process... How to Get the Most Out of It!?'

I am often asked by singers for advice on 'the recording process...' Here is a very short but helpful list of things I've learned over the years for achieving great results in the studio... Happy reading and recording!

1) While levels are being set, sing your song on a vocal exercise (ex: on a gee.) Provided you know the right exercises to use, by the time the levels are set, you should be vocally balanced and ready to record!

2) Singers are almost always more 'loose' and 'in the pocket' by the end of the session. So ninety-nine percent of the time I will RE-record the first line or two of a song at the end of a session. Since it is the first thing a listener will hear, I want it to be compelling and commanding of attention! Give it a try!

3) Lastly, do your FINAL listening back while cleaning up the studio of the days' trash. When I am inactively 'listening down' is usually when I will hear something that 'I don't like and can't live with'... So, I fix it!

Bonus Tip:
If you are considering recording soon, schedule a vocal tune-up to insure your best, vocally! Remember, as singers we study technique in order to get it out of the way! To schedule a pre-recording consultation, contact me at RRVS@comcast.net

'Les Miserables...' Purists vs Non-Purists. Can't We All Just Get Along!?

Much controversy has ensued since the release of Les Miserables and everyone seems to have an opinion. Live singing vs prerecorded. Singers vs actors. Purists vs well... non-purists! Its almost a West Side Story of 'schools of thought.' Can't we all just get along!?

"Did I hear a wobble in Hugh Jackman's voice? Yes! But I heard him overcome it. Did I hear Amanda Seyfried sing too lightly in her chest causing her at times to almost push sharp? Yes! But I also heard her overcoming it. Did I hear Anne Hathaway go too wide in the top resulting in a strained top? Yes! But again... she overcame it." The result, I believe, of the actors' diligent work. They are all GREAT actors and actresses who sang technically well to their God given ability. Applaud them for achieving that 'fullest' potential. Don't criticize them for what they lack in raw, vocal talent.

The only real disappointment to me was in the only 'true' singer in the cast, Samantha Barks. She should have delivered a 'stand out' vocal performance. But instead, she pulled her chest voice way too high and therefore had to drop ALL of the weight - all of a sudden - in the top. Therefore, she lost ALL of her power on those top pitches! Which are the 'money' notes of the song! Disappointing... And sad for her. She definitely could have benefitted from a hard MIX not a mixed belt approach to singing. Oh well... 'Nuff said. But I did NOT let it ruin the whole movie for me!

See the film for what it is! Lighten up and enjoy! After all... the book is 1400+ pages!

What's that... What is a hard MIX you ask!? A hard MIX gives the impression of belting BUT without the strain that comes from 'pulling straight chest.' Because it is a 'truer' balance between registers than a 'mixed belt,' it is a much more effective tool for powerful singing and is used by many R&B singers of today. If you would like to discover just how POWERFUL your own voice can be, contact me at RRVS@comcast.net.