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The soft palate, also called the velum, is located in the back of the throat, above the tongue. If you feel the roof of your mouth with your tongue, you will notice that it is hard. This is called the hard palate because of the bone located above it. However, if you feel further back, you will notice the…

Having an airy tone can be a serious problem. Although your voice can still make sound, the strength needed to speak or sing seems to disappear. This is because the vocal cords are not completely connected from front to back when we make sound. Over time, this can lead to a loss of strength and a reliance on other muscles…

Do you remember the first time you heard your recorded voice? Remember the sheer horror that befell you and the inevitable question to follow: “Do I really sound like that?” Not to worry. Everyone has the same experience and the answer is found in the vibration of sound. Sound Travel Hearing sound is an incredible process that takes…

In a previous blog, I outlined the benefits of poor breathing.  This affects the voice in the worst way and can lead to irreparable damage if not corrected in time. Below, we will discuss some of the effective exercises for strengthening the diaphragm and abdominal wall, creating a more powerful and controlled voice. Why is breathing so important?…

This is one of the best singing tips I give to my students, the Magic “Uh” Vowel. The most natural vowel we can make is the “Uh” vowel. It requires very little muscle use and keeps the larynx in a lowered position. Try mixing in an “Uh” vowel with another vowel you may have difficulty singing. This will keep…

We are looking for voice coach to join us at SeanyMac Studio to assist artists developing their vocal skills.

Have you ever heard someone sing with a breathiness to their tone? Sometimes singers use breathiness as a way to style a particular phrase or note, but if the singer has a constant breathiness, chances are they have not mastered the art of cord connection. Not having this skill can be a detriment to your performance. Mastering this skill is…

When first taking voice lessons, every student works on the same thing—the production of sound. Understanding how to produce a quality sound without hurting your vocal instrument is a definite priority. This can take years to master. In my case, it was the only thing I worked on for many years, but at the same time I was perfecting my…

The muscles of the body are funny creatures. Any trainer will tell you when you’re working out, that you must switch up your exercises often. The reason is because the body muscles quickly adapt to any change in their environment. To get the muscles to grow, a body builder has to keep changing the exercises. This will keep the muscles…

Audiences are smart.  They know the difference between good and superior.  You may have listened to a friend sing and thought, “She’s amazing!”  However, you know that she doesn’t have the same kind of talent as Beyonce or any mainstream artist.  To understand the difference between a seasoned performer and someone with potential doesn’t take 30+ years of training.  As…

Learning how to properly sing vowels is a major obstacle for beginner singers. One of the hardest vowels to sing is the Ee vowel. Why? When we were young, we were taught to “Say Cheese” before taking a photo. Saying “cheese” not only forced a huge, toothy grin, but also tensed muscles in the jaw, cheeks and lips. These muscle…

What does it mean to color a song? Basically, it means using elements of your voice to tell a story.  These elements can include dynamics, breathiness, inflection, style and numerous other features of the human voice.  When I was young, I grew up in the church.  Every service, someone would get up to sing a song.  Most of the performances…