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Hey Singers!
It's Justin Stoney the founder of
New York Vocal Coaching
joining you for another episode of
Quick Singing Tips.
Today we're hanging out in Alphabet City.
Which, is basically the east, East Village.
Once the numbers stop
like, 5th Avenue
2nd Avenue,
and 1st Avenue,
you start to get into the alphabet.
Like avenues A, B, and C.
Today I'm joining you from Avenue B
to answer a question from Mark W.
in Portland, Oregon.
Mark writes, "Dear Justin, what exercises can you
give me to strengthen the voice?"
Awesome question, Mark!
Well, I could give you hundreds!
And soon, we're going to explore
this topic in great detail
on the next episode of Voice Lessons To The World.
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But today, since I'm in Alphabet City
I want to give you a little preview
with one of my favorite consonants
of all time.
That's right, today's episode is brought
to you by the letter B.
[Cookie Monster: B, Yeah!]
You see Mark, human languages
are made up of many different
kinds of consonants and vowels.
Each of them have their advantages
and disadvantages for singers.
Types of consonants include fricatives,
nasals,
glottic consonants,
approximants,
and plosives.
The consonant B is a plosive.
But, not just any old plosive.
A voiced plosive.
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All plosives are consonants that
stop our air from getting out.
But voiced plosives are special because
they activate the vocal folds and
stop the air.
So, yep, you guessed it.
These consonants encourage strength
from within while preventing you from
pushing too much breath.
Whoa.
This will help you be better
in your mix.
Be smoother across your register breaks.
And be strong without pushing volume.
Let's try a little exercise using the consonant B.
Really, you can try this with any vowel you are
struggling with.
But, today since we're in Alphabet City
we're going to use the AY vowel with
the B consonant.
You see?
We're going to do the exercise.
BAY- BAY- BAY.
It goes like this
♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
Guys and ladies will be in the same octave.
It's going to start off low for some ladies.
But, then it might get high later for some guys.
Do your best to let the B consonant
bring some strength to the voice.
That means don't switch to falsetto if you're a guy.
Or, if you're a lady don't switch to head voice.
And here we go!
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♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
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♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
That's right.
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Very good!
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Mhm.
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♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
Excellent.
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Right on.
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Good.
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And coming down.
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Excellent.
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A few more!
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♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
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And last one
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♪ BAY- BAY- BAY ♪
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So you can see that adding strength
to the voice can be as easy as ABC.
Here are some other things that
I hope will strengthen your vocal journey.
For voice lessons or Skype lessons
with the NYVC staff
visit us at NewYorkVocalCoaching.com.
If you'd like a vocal course
that you can do at home
check out the
Voice Lessons To The World Vocal Course.
This twelve part program takes you
on a singing journey from beginner
to master level vocal exercises.
You can find it at VoiceLessonsToTheWorld.com.
Or, if you'd like free vocal tips
sent to you each day
sign up at DailyVocalTips.com.
And now, here's Justin
with this week's vocal benediction.
The consonant B gives you strength
from within.
Like literally it helps you engage your thyrovocalis
and lateral cricoarytenoids.
But, that's besides the point.
You might be the greatest singer in
the world.
But, can you be yourself
when the world wants you to be
someone else?
Can you be excellent when everyone wants
you to be average?
Can you be brave just when you want
to be a quitter?
You know I believe in you friend.
And, I'll always be in your corner.
Until next time,
be good.
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