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Singing: No Secret Formula

The key to your success is more mundane and more possible than you might have guessed –says Mister Tim

Say this ten times fast:

Those that do, do. Those that don’t, don’t. Those that do sometimes don’t, but those that don’t never do.

It means this: often the difference between one who succeeds and one who fails is > read more

The Joy of Auditions!

The “A” word doesn’t need to send you into hysterics –says Mister Tim

Believe it or not, I’m here to tell you how wonderful auditions are!

Auditions, you say? JOY???

As a singer, auditions are part of your life, whether you are trying out for a band, seeking a spot in a singing competition, shooting for a role in a musical, or trying to get the attention of a music executive.

Instead of something to be feared, I want you to think of Auditions as a doorway into some powerful opportunities.

Auditions Strengthen Performance

Think through the qualities you need to > read more

Rhythm’s Gonna Getcha

Become a master of the rhythmic layout of your set –says Mister Tim

You are a musician! Your life is ruled by rhythm!

We have rhythms of living: circadian rhythms that dictate sleep/wake cycles; schedules we follow that dictate when we work, eat, and play; cycles of the calendar with holidays and celebrations and special occasions.

As a performer, you have other rhythms: rehearsal schedules, show preparations, day-of-show habits, gig calendars.

And of course not forgetting the rhythms, and rhythms, and rhythms in the music you sing.
> read more

Vocal Play

Singing is supposed to be FUN –says Mister Tim

The American a cappella vocal band Naturally7 uses the term “Vocal Play” to describe their skills of instrument imitation and all-vocal funky sound-making.

The phrase reminds me that singing is supposed to be > read more

Take Control of Your Environment

What change can you make so that your rehearsal or performance space works for you? -asks Mister Tim

My son has a habit of letting his glasses slide down to the end of his nose, then craning his head into a strange position so he can see through the lenses.

He is very skilled at being able to walk, read, even use a computer with his glasses in this strange position. Still, it would be a lot easier if he just > read more

Building Your Vocalist Vocabulary

The singer’s toolbox contains an ever expanding list of terms –says Mister Tim

“A person’s vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge.”
-Wikipedia, “Vocabulary”

If you will indulge the thought, let us expand this definition to include any set of skills used to communicate.

In the case of a singer, that means that you have a > read more

Believe Them – Don’t Believe Them

Understand the true meaning of your performance feedback –says Mister Tim

Here’s the thing: people will say nice things about you.

To stay happy, DON’T BELIEVE THEM.

Or rather, believe them, but be careful how you believe them.

Honest words are not always accurate. Nice words are not always honest.

Understand the Context

Just because someone says something does not make it so, even if they think it is so.

Comments and feedback must always be judged by perspective and context: who is saying it, why are they saying it, how does what they are saying fit into a larger perspective? (Check out this page for some examples)

No one will ever seek you out after a performance and tell you how terrible it was. The people who hated what you did will just go home.

Anyone who is going to speak to you face to face after a show is going to compliment you.

Most people who come to hear you perform are already your fans, so they are hardly objective observers.

Enjoy their compliments, appreciate that these people really are speaking their truth, but don’t think that means you are the best thing ever.

Getting Accurate Feedback

Friends and family in particular want you to feel good. That’s great! They are supportive, and they should be!

But that means they may not be the best source for accurate feedback. They don’t want to hurt your feelings, nor should you demand brutal honesty from them and put them in the position where they might hurt your feelings.

Let them be supportive and positive, and seek out feedback and coaching from a professional.

Professionals are always working to get better, which means they are constantly doing the difficult and uncomfortable work of identifying the flaws in themselves and working to make them better.

Professionals have also been doing it for a long time, so don’t think that your natural talent is going to trump their natural talent plus years (or decades) of hard work.

So enjoy the compliments, and believe them… to a point.

Believe that you made someone’s day brighter, which means you are succeeding to some degree in your mission to share music. Compliments are usually sincere.

But be very, very careful what conclusions you draw from the compliments, lest you set yourself up for disappointment or become negatively warped by the positive attention.

My Reactions to This Week’s Peer Review Vid

Meghan – Rolling in the Deep (cover)

Super work, Meghan! You are very brave and have a strong, developing voice. I think you will benefit greatly from spending the next few years singing songs from great writers and singers like Adele. Keep up the great work! You have plenty of time to develop your voice. Don’t feel like you have to sound like anyone else. You are going to go through several physical voice changes in the next decade. Allow yourself to grow and progress, and allow your voice to be your voice. Take voice lessons, and be brave enough to let your teachers help you get better. Always be open to new ideas, and you’ll go far!

-Mister Tim

Mister Tim is a modern voice artist who respects the history of the vocal arts while not being afraid to push into new, uncharted territory. He artistic directs an eclectic array of vocal ensembles that range from traditional choral to cutting-edge, technology-based, ultra-modern vocal rock bands. A published composer, award-winning recording artist, and in-demand performer and teacher, Mister Tim is also a viral video star, sponsored kazoo player, and dedicated husband and father. He created and sings with 2010 Harmony Sweepstakes champions Plumbers of Rome, internet sensations moosebutter, beatbox online teachers and performers Mouth Beats, and all-original vocal band THROAT. He also tours with his solo vocal live-looping/beatbox shows.
www.mistertimdotcom.com and www.vocalitysingers.com

Submit Your Own Video for Peer Review

New Year’s Revolutions

Difficulty is the fertilizer of the bonsai tree of achievement –says Mister Tim

The planetoid I call ‘home’ has circled the star I call ‘Susan’ one more time, and almost a year to the day after I wrapped up my last stint as Voice Council Vocal Coach in Residence I’m back – and as excited as ever to hear and comment on great singers!

A lot happens in 365 days, but far more does not happen.

Years are full of accomplishments, but also failures; milestones reached through effort and determination, but also missed opportunities; miraculous turns of events, but also great promises that fail to materialize.

The natural progression of events determines that nothing ever turns out exactly the way we hope, or dream, or plan.

There are simply too many forces at work, too many variations caused by influences we cannot control.

However, the changes to our original expectations are just as often good as they are bad!

I do not believe anyone has achieved something truly great without passing through experiences that are deeply, truly, soul-crushingly difficult.

But that is fine: we do not pursue great things because it is ‘fun,’ but to satisfy greater needs and longings, so periods of difficulty, discomfort, or disappointment are worth it because the reward we get later is so much greater.

To start our new year, some thoughts and suggestions:

* Difficulty is the fertilizer of the bonsai tree of achievement

* Don’t mistake movement for progress

* Don’t mistake confidence for knowledge, or talent, or expertise

* Embrace the things you can control as well as the things you cannot

* Never pass up the opportunity to use a trebuchet to hurl a piano

- Mister Tim

My Reactions To This Week’s Peer Review Vid

Lauren Tate – Speechless (cover)

Let’s start the young year with a young singer! Lauren, so much you are doing well! Big voice, big personality –truly excellent work. You display an ease of voice and of delivery far beyond your years. You have a collection of gestures, both vocal and physical, that often come across as learned but not understood. Think about the ways you move your hands, eyes, face, and voice, and make sure you are serving the song. Most basically, begin by deciding what you want to focus on while you sing: the camera, or a person, or someplace in the audience, and direct your energy there.

(also be sure to check out next week’s topic, which applies especially to young talented singers –like you.)

If you’re signed up to VoiceCouncil’s Peer-Review, you’ll be receiving unique coaching feedback from Mister Tim for the next 8 weeks. You can sign up now.

Mister Tim is a modern voice artist who respects the history of the vocal arts while not being afraid to push into new, uncharted territory. He artistic directs an eclectic array of vocal ensembles that range from traditional choral to cutting-edge, technology-based, ultra-modern vocal rock bands. A published composer, award-winning recording artist, and in-demand performer and teacher, Mister Tim is also a viral video star, sponsored kazoo player, and dedicated husband and father. He created and sings with 2010 Harmony Sweepstakes champions Plumbers of Rome, internet sensations moosebutter, beatbox online teachers and performers Mouth Beats, and all-original vocal band THROAT. He also tours with his solo vocal live-looping/beatbox shows.
www.mistertimdotcom.com and www.vocalitysingers.com

Submit Your Own Video for Peer Review

Bring Your Song To Life

Don’t mentally end the phrase until it’s actually over –says Jeannie Deva

It’s a Wrap! In the past eight weeks I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing 16 singers share their artistry.

As I now complete my final Voice Council Residency week for 2011, I’d like to > read more

What’s Breath Got To Do With It?

Improve your tone and control with natural breath support –says Jeannie Deva

Many singers have been told through the years to “use good breath support.”

While we may instinctively want to agree with this statement, we may be confused by the many interpretations, opinions and approaches on the subject.

To sort this out, it will help to > read more

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