Friday, December 29, 2017

Diary of a Vocal Coach: Waking Up to the Sound of Atlantic Star

It was one of those mornings when I was feeling a little pensive. I just wanted to listen to Atlantic Star. I stepped into my studio to pick up their album Ultimate Collection. I let the music fill my space—practically serenade me, of sorts.

You’ll be amazed how some days I’d want to listen to Frank Sinatra all day. I have the entire Sinatra collection—100 songs in a grand box CD collection.

Music is incredibly soothing when you need it. Just like burying yourself inside the pages of a good novel, I find music does have the same effect on me. I don’t know what it is about listening to music on the phone with me, it just doesn’t work. I need a big surround sound. I need the sound of an original CD. Yes, it does sound very different. Bigger; more than just amazing, it’s incredible.

The next time you want to be transported to a more blissful space, away from your daily grind and thoughts, pick-up a good album and I can guarantee it’ll take you there.

If you like my article, do me a HUGE favor and Share this blog post with others by clicking the Social Links below.


JOETT — Vocal Coach
You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.
Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Greetings and Positive Thoughts for the New Year



rawpixel.com

And so, we’re almost at the very end of 2017. Christmas is here again, and before you know it, we will be celebrating the New Year. I’ve tried to reflect on 2017 and to think of all the positive things that have happened in my life. I very much wanted to cut an acoustic pop EP, and sure enough, I released Twisted. My book project, which started two years ago, finally got to see the light of day in paperback.

I think that pretty much sums up 2017 for me.

I can proudly say that I have accomplished what I set out to do this year, and looking ahead, I want to actively promote my book throughout 2018, with creative ideas and training workshops right across the African continent.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is, we need to be grateful for the little steps and accomplishments we make (no-matter how small), during the course of the year and to try and look at the more positive side of things. Positive thoughts attract positive results. I Wish You All A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

“Our real blessings often appear to us in the shapes of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience, and we soon shall see them in their proper figures.” - Joseph Addison



You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.


Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!



JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons


Friday, December 22, 2017

Airtel Trace Music Star Voice Coach to Run Workshops in Zambia

It has been many years since my last visit to Zambia, when I actually did a pretty extensive tour of Zambia’s tourist attractions... including the mighty Victoria Falls.

But this time around, I return for a different reason. Not as a tourist, but as a professional vocal coach.

And so if you live in Lusaka, and want to be a part of my all new express singing workshops phenomenon, then the good news is I will be in Zambia in 2018.

On my short visit, I will be giving free voice assessments, and conducting private voice training sessions to help you improve the voice you already have.

I’ve just published a new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, which is basically a collection of helpful tips and articles for singers, around which my Africa book and workshops tour will revolve.

Here’s what you can expect from my Lusaka visit:

I was the official vocal coach and judge for Airtel Trace Music Star Tanzania Seasons 1 & 2. Prior to my engagement with the pan-African event, and to date, I have helped over a thousand people in Tanzania and across the African continent over the past eight years, both online and off. Furthermore, I have continually developed and refined my vocal training modules to ultimately re-balance and transform your singing voice in as little as 10 hours. (See my Resume). When I land in Lusaka, I will first conduct voice assessments for a couple of days, and then book pupils in for my 10-hour Vocal Training Crash Course. (You’ll only spend an hour with me per day).

Included with this private one-on-one training program, you’ll get my new book AND the prerecorded audio vocal training program that comes with the book. I will also be recording segments of your 'live' training sessions with me to give to you for home-learning use later. This is an after-sales service I traditionally give to all of my pupils, to help you maintain, nurture and further develop your new singing voice.

Phew! I am so excited about coming to Lusaka. For more information, you can begin by linking up with me on WhatsApp (see contact info in banner); or via Skype ID tojona for a free consultation regarding your voice.

You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Monday, December 18, 2017

How to Quickly Concoct Ginger and Honey Remedy for the Throat

If you are experiencing a bit of trouble in the throat: like the common flu symptom, sore throat, laryngitis and such like, there is an age old remedy you can whip-up on your kitchen table in just a couple of minutes. This article will talk you through the process of preparing a potent natural remedy for the throat. 

Take some fresh ginger, peel, chop up and then grind it with a roller pin on a wooden or plastic chopping board. Once it is nicely ground, take a teaspoon or two of the stuff and drop it into a mug. You can save the excess ginger in a container or inside a cup. If using a cup, make sure you cover the cup with cling film to help preserve it, and store inside the fridge. 


Take a tablespoon of honey and pour that into the mug containing your two teaspoons of freshly ground ginger, and then fill it with boiling hot water and mix that with a teaspoon.

That’s it… you’re done!

Drink this concoction (mind you, it's an acquired taste) and you should feel better in no time at all. You’ll discover that it helps to remedy the sore throat and flu symptoms rather quickly. Get well soon!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!

JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons


You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Prefer an eBook?

You'll find it on Lulu, here!

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 














Sunday, December 10, 2017

Author of A Brand New Book Takes Singing Workshops to Capetown

I have never been to Capetown, but I've heard a lot of wonderful things about your beautiful city. And so if you live in Capetown, and want to be a part of my all new express singing workshops phenomenon, then I have some really good news for you. I’m coming to Capetown, South Africa in 2018. 

On my short visit, I will be giving free voice assessments, and conducting private voice training sessions to help you improve the voice you already have.

I’ve just published a new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, which is basically a collection of helpful tips and articles for singers, around which my Africa book and workshops tour will revolve.

Here’s what you can expect from my Capetown visit:

I was the official vocal coach and judge for Airtel Trace Music Star Tanzania Seasons 1 & 2. Prior to my engagement with the pan-African event, and to date, I have helped over a thousand people in Tanzania and across the African continent over the past eight years, both online and off. Furthermore, I have continually developed and refined my vocal training modules to ultimately re-balance and transform your singing voice in as little as 10 hours. (See my Resume). When I land in Capetown, I will first conduct voice assessments for a couple of days, and then book pupils in for my 10-hour Vocal Training Crash Course. (You’ll only spend an hour with me per day).

Included with this private one-on-one training program, you’ll get my new book AND the prerecorded audio vocal training program that comes with the book. I will also be recording segments of your 'live' training sessions with me to give to you for home-learning use later. This is an after-sales service I traditionally give to all of my pupils, to help you maintain, nurture and further develop your new singing voice.

Phew! I am so excited about coming to Capetown. Are you? Then, you can begin by linking up with me on WhatsApp (see contact info in banner): or via Skype ID tojona for a free consultation regarding your voice.

You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach


Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Singing Workshops Africa Tour 2018 by JOETT Coming to Kenya

If you love to sing and you’re based in Nairobi or Mombasa, then I have some really good news for you. I’m coming to Kenya in 2018, to conduct singing workshops to help you improve the voice you already have.

I’ve just published a new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, which is basically a collection of helpful tips and articles for singers, around which my Africa book and workshops tour will revolve.

Here’s what you can expect from my Kenya visit:

I was the official vocal coach and judge for Airtel Trace Music Star Tanzania Seasons 1 & 2. Prior to my engagement with the pan-African event, and to date, I have helped over a thousand people in Tanzania and across the African continent over the past eight years, both online and off. Furthermore, I have continually developed and refined my vocal training modules to ultimately re-balance and transform your singing voice in as little as 10 hours. (See my Resume). When I land in Nairobi, I will first conduct voice assessments for a couple of days, and then book pupils in for my 10-hour Vocal Training Crash Course. (You’ll only spend an hour with me per day).

Included with this private one-on-one training program, you’ll get my new book AND the prerecorded audio vocal training program that comes with the book. I will also be recording segments of your 'live' training sessions with me to give to you for home-learning use later. This is an after-sales service I traditionally give to all of my pupils, to help you maintain, nurture and further develop your new singing voice.

Phew! I am so excited about coming to Kenya. Are you? Then, you can begin by linking up with me on WhatsApp (see contact info in banner); or via Skype ID tojona for a free consultation regarding your voice.

You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach


Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Friday, December 1, 2017

3 Simple Ways to Extend the Life and Wellbeing of Your Voice


Look, when it comes to your voice, you can’t always be feeling great. There are times when you’re going to feel a little delicate around the throat and perhaps, not even wanting to talk much—just to preserve the voice. Everyone goes through this. What brings this condition on is a matter of concern, however, because if it isn’t the common flu wreaking havoc on your vocal cords, then you’ll want to know what else is possibly causing your discomfort.

I’ll cut to the chase. There are the usual suspects: overuse of your voice for whatever reason; slipping up when you sing and using your throat instead of your speech-level posture—slip up a couple of times and you are done for—that’s how rapid it is.

Solution: take a break! Get some rest. Take 1000 mg of vitamin C per day. Maybe, even toss some ground ginger and honey into your cup of tea. But most importantly, do get some vocal rest. Once you know what to do when the going gets tough around the throat, you will quite easily extend the life and health of your voice with a bit of vocal rest as and when required. Don’t even do the scales when you’re resting! Give yourself time to heal.

Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.
You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT (Click here!)… and coming SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons
Private Studio Singing Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Billboard: The Climate is So Good for Singer-Songwriters

An article in Billboard Magazine caught my attention. The article talks about a parade of guitar-toting male troubadours who have climbed, slowly and sensitively, on to pop radio, with acoustic singles over the last 12-15 months.

And they include James Arthur's "Say You Won't Let Go" to Niall Horan's "Slow Hands".

Described in the article as, “strum-happy tracks, which tend to be subdued even while expressing desire or angst, also offer the opposite of rap's buoyant energy. (Additionally, their lethargy separates this recent period of acoustic popularity from a similar surge that took place in 2012 and 2013, when the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons scored hits with songs meant to inspire arena clap-alongs.) But they continue to get airwave play.”

"Ed Sheeran really led the way for this," says Nadine Santos, Director of Programming for Music Choice, which controls audio content for cable TV subscribers. "He had the same sound that came off so adult contemporary, but you went to his shows and saw 12-year-old girls. Everyone picked up on that, and this year you saw a lot more of it."

I have to say, this quite excites me. I feel a sense of déjà vu with this one. Cos I’ve just released an acoustic EP myself—just for the heck of it—but who knows where it’ll end up. If demand for acoustic continues to grow, the future certainly looks bright for contemporary acoustic pieces. Read the full Billboard article Return of the Top 40 Troubadour: How Singer-Songwriters Reclaimed Pop Radio.

A couple of weeks prior to the release of my memoirs 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, I released an acoustic pop EP titled Twisted, containing an eclectic mix of my acoustic recordings from 2010 to 2017. Distributed by London-based Africori, Twisted is now available on all major download/stream platforms: iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo and Spotify. Download/Stream Twisted EP Here!

And would you like to follow the acoustic trail yourself? You'll find plenty of vocal warm-up tips and piano scales audio tapes in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT here!
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.


You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!

JOETT — Vocal Coach

Monday, November 27, 2017

Is your Deodorant Spray Affecting Your Throat?

Warren Wong
I know, the image on here looks a wee bit over the top, but I thought it would grab your attention.  

I get all sorts of complaints from singers looking for solutions to issues relating to throat irritation. This one actually is a problem I face myself.

Aerosol spray deodorants do not sit well with me. In fact, quite a few brands do irritate my throat, getting to a point where I actually experience rather weird spasms that almost feel as though someone is pouring acid down my throat.

And so I can only use underarm deodorant stick. Ironically, I don’t have a problem with cologne.

The purpose of this article therefore is rather simple. If you are sensing throat irritation and you cannot figure out what is bringing this on, if you’re using a deodorant spray, try switching to a deodorant stick for several days and see if it stops. If your problem is gone, it means your throat irritation is caused by your deodorant spray.

You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT… and SOON coming to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons
Private Singing Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Sunday, November 26, 2017

How Much of the Body Is Water and its Significance for Singers

Izzy Gerosa
Have you ever wondered how much water we have in our body? Well, the amount of water does vary, depending on the organ in question. Blood plasma in particular, contains much of the water (20% of the body's total).

According to a study performed by H.H. Mitchell, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the amount of water in the human heart and brain is 73%, the lungs are 83%, muscles and kidneys are 79%, the skin is 64%, and the bones are around 31%.

Therefore, the overall amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75%,

And water serves multiple purposes. Water is the primary building block of cells. It acts as an insulator that regulates internal body temperature, partly because water has a high specific heat, and the body uses perspiration and respiration to regulate temperature.

Needless to say, in order for the body to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates from food, water is needed. It is the primary component of saliva, used to digest carbohydrates and aid in swallowing food.

Water lubricates joints and also insulates the brain, spinal cord, organs, and fetus. It acts as a shock absorber. And last but not least, water is used to flush waste and toxins from the body via urine.

That is the important role water plays in our body. So you can imagine how beneficial this is for our overall wellbeing, not to mention the vocal folds—and thereby our voice!

You’ll find tons of helpful tips and articles for singers in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback from Lulu for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT!! COMING SOON to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Thursday, November 23, 2017

How to Spot the Fake Free Online Singing Lessons for Beginners


For those of you looking to find free online singing lessons, I want to go over a couple of things to help you find a plan that works. In this short article, I’ll want to help you get smart.

First of all, beware of the word free. There is no such thing as free. Most vocal instructors out there will give you nothing for free. Yes, you might get a couple of free download tapes and videos for free, but those are only teasers to entice you into buying the full product.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking anybody here. I’m only stating the obvious. So forget about the freebies, because they don’t exist.

Now let me show you how to get smart to get what you want.

If you want to find free online singing lessons for beginners, you’ll want to find, at the very list, a vocal coach who isn’t trying to get you to sign up for their email list outright, using the free offer as a carrot to get you to subscribe. They’re trying to sell you something. Period. And I wouldn't hold that against them. They've got to make a living too, right?

The smart thing to do is to find a collection of products that offer something substantial PLUS backend support: like email, WhatsApp, Viber, Mobile visibly on display. This would tell you one thing: that they’re real and accessible.

And this is the reason why I decided to publish a book and to include with it vocal training exercises to help you get started with voice training and also, to motivate you to keep training. It isn’t entirely free. Of course not! But for what you get, it is extremely affordable. And it's a tangible product. One you can touch, feel and open anytime you want.

My new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach is now available in paperback for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT here!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Diary of a Vocal Coach: Pre-recording Studio Session Vocal Warm-up


I received a call from one of my pupils the other day, mind you, this happens quite a lot nowadays; who wanted to simply pop by my studio for a vocal warm-up before a recording session that very afternoon. He had a beautiful song he wanted to record, and his voice was holding up really well.

He only wanted to get the voice prepared and ready for the recording session. Which is what I always advise my pupils--get a vocal warm-up! When your voice is warmed up prior to a studio recording session, it tremendously improves your performance in the booth.

So I got on the piano to run him through a combination of scales, whilst being very attentive not to overwork his voice. A 30-minute vocal warm-up is all he required to get him good and ready.

So the next time you’re headed out to a recording studio, remember to warm-up your voice. You'll find plenty of vocal warm-up tips and piano scales audio tapes in my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, now available in paperback for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT here!

Hope to see you soon!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 



Tuesday, November 21, 2017

101 Letters from a Vocal Coach by JOETT Goes to Paperback


It has been a rather hectic couple of months. First, I had to work around the clock with the pagination of my new book and the artwork and design—which, I cleverly outsourced to India. And once that was all done I had to get back into the manuscript to do some more proofreading and editing.

A Windows Document expert in India helped me out with conforming manuscript to publisher’s template. Tons of back and forth work, but we got it all sorted in the end. And then I got to publish the eBook. At last!

But hey, I needed this book available in paperback also. So, back to the manuscript one more time; AND I had to hire another designer (the original designer of the book cover was messing me about. I had to ditch her!). Luckily, this new designer was incredibly amazing.

Today, we spent a couple of hours working on inserting final content and conforming book design to publisher’s template. And I’m glad to announce that, this very day, my paperback has hit the Lulu bookstore. I couldn’t be happier.

I need to now sit down to write a thousand short articles for my blog, to provide helpful content to all my wonderful readers and to promote the book.

You can now purchase my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach in paperback for a WHOPPING 25% DISCOUNT here!

Hope to see you soon!

You are the instrument, learn to sing like a pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons 

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 


Friday, November 10, 2017

Memoirs of a Vocal Coach Published In New Book


{Press Release} JOETT, an appointed Juror, a member of the AFRIMA Academy of Voters representing Eastern Africa (Tanzania), and an ASCAP singer-songwriter; newspaper columnist and celebrated vocal coach from Tanzania, releases 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach via United States online bookstore platform Lulu.

Primarily created to chronicle the life and vocational challenges of a vocal coach, this fascinating book began life as a column in Tanzania’s Business Times Newspaper, and quickly grew into a must-have resource for information for singers; as it cataloged real-life scenarios that provided credible content offering solutions emanating from a real voice studio.

As it did in the newspaper column, this book offers links to audio and video content documented inside the studio. In essence, you get a three dimensional view of the workings of a voice studio; its pupils; and case studies that backup the steps taken to solve issues relating to voice training: steps that also serve as an eye-opener for anyone that wants to study voice in a more informal manner, oftentimes on a shoe-string-budget from the comfort of their own home.

Also included with this unique book are your very own vocal exercises audio files for home-learning, aptly entitled Joett Vocal Drills Vol. 1-7.

The purpose of these memoirs, therefore, is to give readers an insider’s view and knowledge-base into the study of voice through the journey of others, with helpful tips and articles for singers being the intrinsic value and thrust of this publication. Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Lulu bookstore links to the paperback are here. (You'll find the link to the eBook here).

A couple of weeks prior to the release of his memoirs 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, Joett released an acoustic pop EP titled Twisted, containing an eclectic mix of his acoustic recordings from 2010 to 2017. Distributed by London-based Africori, Twisted is now available on all major download/stream platforms: iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo and Spotify. Download/Stream Twisted EP Here!

For those of you based on the African continent, please read 3 Simple Steps to Purchasing Online, the Book "101 Letters from a Vocal Coach" in Paperback from Africa.


Joett Music Publishing





Tuesday, November 7, 2017

101 Letters from a Vocal Coach by JOETT Published on Lulu

If anything, working as a vocal coach over the years has given me a far deeper understanding of the human voice. (Purchase my book on Lulu).

Whenever I’m dealing with voice issues that my students are going through and trying to solve their problems—as everybody is different—I almost always pick up yet another solution to seemingly insurmountable difficulties and challenges singing throws at you.

“101 Letters from a Vocal Coach” is intended to serve as a resource you can return to again and again, should you run into any difficulties with your singing. Contained herein is a fountain of articles and knowledge that you can draw inspiration and guidance from all year round.

From Popular Newspaper Column to Book 

I wanted to write a book because I felt the need to document what was happening in my voice studio on a daily basis. There was a wealth of amazing real-life content emanating from my studio that I was completely certain would be of great help to singers. I figured, if only I got all of these incredible stories to print, they would be of tremendous help to thousands of people.

Obviously, I blogged regularly, but it wasn’t nearly enough to generate content for a book. And so I thought, if ever I were to get this book project off the ground, quintessentially, a newspaper column would compel me to write. The pressure to deliver articles for my weekly column meant keeping up with submission deadlines, and so that alone, I reasoned, would spur me on.

Case Studies: Audio and Video Files 

The purpose of these memoirs, therefore, is to give readers an insider’s view and knowledge-base into the study of voice through the journey of others, with helpful tips and articles for singers being the intrinsic value and thrust of this publication.

And so as it did in the newspaper column, this book offers links to audio and video content documented inside my voice studio. In essence, you get a three dimensional view of the workings of a voice studio; its pupils; and case studies that backup the steps taken to solve issues relating to voice training: steps that also serve as eye-opener for anyone that wants to study voice in a more informal manner, oftentimes on a shoe-string-budget from the comfort of their own home.

Also included with this unique book are your very own vocal exercises audio files for home-learning, aptly entitled Joett Vocal Drills Vol. 1-7. You can now purchase both my eBook and paperback 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach here! (You'll find a link to the eBook bottom right of sales page).

Acoustic EP - Twisted

I needed something relevant to tie-in with the book release, and I felt an acoustic EP would be the perfect fit. Twisted is a cross-genre pop-folk EP with an eclectic mix of my acoustic recordings from 2010 to 2017, details of which you’ll find in my press release ASCAP Songwriter Releases Twisted Acoustic EP on Africori. 

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons 

Download/Stream the brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted by JOETT, now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Diary of a Vocal Coach: Putting Finishing Touches to My Memoirs


Nothing has given me more joy than penning this book. What an exhilarating and fulfilling journey this has been for me. These past three days, I’ve probably worked nonstop to finalize the pagination of the book. It is SO complex. For some peculiar reason, the publisher’s Word document template for paperback tends to go wonky whilst populating it—that’s where page numbers seem to disappear and whatnot. Unceremoniously!

I had to hire a Word doc expert in India, believe it or not, just to sort out the template. I must’ve worked with him till 1.am yesterday. But at last, the book is sitting inside the template as it should be.

I’m going to give myself a break for a few hours and then I want to begin—once again—the arduous task of proofreading the entire book for the very last time. Just in case the manuscript has shifted somewhere down the line, what with all the palaver with fixing the template. I’m so excited, and I simply can’t wait to share with you the fruits of my labor.

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons 

Read my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach OUT SOON!

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 


How to Turn Your Head into a Sound Box that Effortlessly Amplifies the Sound of Your Voice

Enhancing the sensation of vibration in your face is one of the most important skills a singer can learn.

When you’re feeling the vibrations in the bones of your face, then you are certainly using your voice in an effective way that creates a louder sound with very little effort, and needless to say, with less risk of damage to your vocal folds. It is a rather clever way to turn the energy of your breath into sound energy with minimal muscle effort, which when done correctly should turn your head into a sound box that amplifies the sound of your vocal folds.

The key thing is to get as much sensation in the face as possible. You might even call it nasal, but it isn’t really. It’s more an edge sound. But what is so special about this sound is it gives you so much freedom to navigate your entire range without any effort at all. The “ng” sound you’ll make in voice training will generate a lot of sensation in the bones and tissues of the face.

Chances are you’ll also feel vibrations where the back of your tongue meets your soft palate. Perhaps you will also feel vibration in the bones of your face and in your hard palate. And when you try the other two nasal consonants, "m" and "n" you’ll likely feel the vibration in different places.

When you compare the three sounds, you should notice the differences in sound from each place of contact. I hope this article has helped you find the quickest way to effortlessly amplifying your sound.

South African singer Serati voice training with JOETT

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons

Read my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach OUT SOON!

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 


Sunday, October 15, 2017

How to Get Skype Voice Lessons Customized to You by JOETT

I am particularly excited about working with pupils abroad using the simplest of tools—Skype. But what’s even more exciting is that somewhere along the line, I have come to refine the service to create a more customized system that works for you as an individual.

Let me show you a couple of examples of how it can work for you too.

Yes, there is a slight delay on Skype—actually, the same applies over a regular phone line, but you’ll only notice the delay when you have to play the piano and have someone the other end of the line doing the scales; OR singing for that matter. But there is a way around that. And here’s how:

First, as my pupil, I'll want to get to know your voice. Which will help me figure out how to customize my vocal training programs to suit you. What I then do is I prerecord the exercises we’re going to do in the session over Skype, and then I mail that over to you in advance.

NEXT: You will play the prerecorded piano scales on a sound system your end, and you'll do the scales while I listen. If there’s anything I want to say to you during your exercises, I will not interrupt you by speaking to you, but instead, I will type a message into the Skype chat window. So it is important you keep an eye on your screen. If something isn’t working, I’ll change the scales. It’s that simple!

South African singer Serati voice training with JOETT

Are you ready to get started? Call me!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a pro!


JOETT — Vocal Coach

Read my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach OUT SOON!

Download/Stream my brand new acoustic pop EP Twisted now available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click Here!

Thursday, October 12, 2017

How to NOT think about the Breathing to make it Work


Breathing to sing may come across as a little complicated at times—especially for the uninitiated. But it really is so simple when you don’t think about. Now, I will say this (and please forgive me if this offends anyone), if you’ve been told by a ‘vocal coach’ or some ‘teacher’ that you have to hold your stomach and such like, THAT is where your problem started. There is no science to breathing. We’d all be dead by now if we had to THINK to breathe. And this is exactly what I told one of my pupils just the other day.  

Now, let me tell you what to do to get it right. The process is pretty simple. You breathe in and immediately come out with the notes. Don’t think. Just do it! Agreed, special exercises will help you ‘manage’ your breath and sound production more efficiently, but that’s all there really is to it. Now, the best place to practice your breathing is to lie on your back in bed and to do some deep diaphragmatic breathing.

So: you open your mouth to fill your stomach with air, and you hiss it all out. Don’t hold back; don’t try to manipulate your exhalation; simply allow it to deflate naturally. The more you do this, the better you become at it… and it should eliminate your breathing problem when you sing.  I hope this quick tip helps you get your breathing in order.

You are the instrument, learn to sing like a pro!

JOETT -- Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons 

Read the new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach OUT SOON! Download/Stream my brand new acoustic EP Twisted on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here! 



Wednesday, October 11, 2017

How to Overcome Stage Fright in 3 Simple Steps

Whilst chatting with a pupil in my studio the other day, the subject of stage fright came up. Now, this is a common problem with performers--the nerves. And I don’t think there’s getting used to this. But I suppose everyone learns to cope. What we don’t want, however, are your nerves getting in the way of your performance.

Here’s a 3-step plan to beating the onset of stage freight.

You may have heard this one before: try to imagine everyone in front of you as being stark bollock naked. Lol, this one is hilarious. But if you can get in character you may well pull it off. Looking above their faces and not into their eyes has worked for me a million and one times—no, they won’t know you’re not looking at them. It’s that good. My all-time favorite, I suppose, is mentally transporting yourself back to where you do your rehearsals. Chances are that is the place you’re most confident and free of the jittery nerves, as it were. If you can stay in that frame of mind, you’ll be safe.

I hope these 3 simple tips to overcoming stage fright will help steady your nerves. So, as they say in show business, go break a leg!

You are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a pro!

JOETT — Vocal Coach
Personalized Skype Lessons 


Read my new book 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach OUT SOON! Download//Stream my brand new acoustic EP Twisted on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify. Click here!


Monday, September 25, 2017

ASCAP Songwriter Releases Twisted Acoustic EP On Africori

{PRESS RELEASE - 25.09.2017} JOETT, a Tanzanian singer-songwriter and member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), releases a cross-genre pop-folk EP with an eclectic mix of acoustic recordings from 2010 to 2017. Entitled Twisted, the four-track EP which kicks off with the infectious title track Twisted Over U Babe, also includes the Skope-Magazine-reviewed Got U On My Mind, whose loose rhythm forms as Joett lets the song explore melody and the groove simultaneously; in what Skope so eloquently describe as: “resembling a fine troubadour, the song grows in strength and power with each additional reiteration”.

Also featured on the EP is the acoustic reworking of Joett’s 70s disco single Color Me Beautiful from 2012; and the acoustic version of his highly acclaimed 2010 comeback pop single I Could Never Live (Without Your Love).

Released on all major digital download platforms via Africori, and to a select audience on CD distribution by the Joett Music imprint, Joett’s EP release coincides with the release of his memoirs 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach, published by Canadian bookstore platform Lulu. With this rather unique publication—Joett, also a celebrated vocal coach and whose new book began life as a weekly column in Tanzania’s Business Times Newspaper—offers helpful tips and articles for singers. “I needed something relevant to tie-in with the book release, and I felt an acoustic EP would be the perfect fit,” said the author.

Joett's acoustic Twisted EP is OUT NOW... On iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, Akazoo, Spotify! Download/Stream here! 


Joett Music Publishing

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Standby for Book Launch – 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach

When I asked the General Manager of Business Times Newspaper, Aga Mbuguni, to give me a column in his newspaper, it was the beginning of an exhilarating journey into the life of a vocal coach, in that not only was I inspired to write, I was motivated.

I wanted to bring what was happening in my classroom, or shall we say—studio, to readers all across Tanzania in written content and with links to supporting audio and video illustration.

What you’re now about to enjoy is a book filled with a collection of my very best articles, containing an array of scintillating tips for singers.

And so—finally, here's a warm welcome to the highly anticipated must-have book for singers all around the world, 101 Letters from a Vocal Coach!

Walking you through almost every conceivable vocal problem imaginable, and zeroing in on solutions as they unfold in my voice studio, is probably the most essential fabric of this book, because in the pages of this extraordinary memoir lie the answers to seemingly insurmountable problems concerning the voice, and most importantly, singing.

101 Letters from a Vocal Coach is stacked with riveting case studies and is written in a style that is not only informal, it is an easy read. And that is the beauty of it... as the last thing you want is a publication that looks more like an ostensibly boring text book.

The book, whose release date is yet to be announced, will be rolled out in two phases: the first being a digital release via Canadian bookstore platform Lulu; followed by a paperback release on the same platform several months later.

Included with the eBook is a collection of audio vocal training exercises, namely, the English version of Joett Vocal Drills Vol. 1-7 in MP3 format; Whilst, the publication in paperback is to include the exact same audio files on CD.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this book project over the past couple of years, and I’m certainly hoping you will enjoy reading my memoirs. I guarantee that you will come away with loads of helpful information to help you become a better singer.

You Are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT
101 Letters from a Vocal Coach
Private Singing Lessons


Sunday, September 10, 2017

Learning to Sing On YouTube? Don’t Bank On it! Here's Why

If you’ve ever wondered why learn to sing YouTube videos don’t give you much to go on, then you will certainly appreciate what I’m about to reveal.

Whilst chatting on WhatsApp with one of my new online pupils recently, they opined that despite their efforts to learn to sing on YouTube, they were not getting any results whatsoever.

When I asked with whom they’d been training, I was given a name. Honestly, I can’t remember the name now. However, I was quick to point out that, most vocal coaches on YouTube only post videos for marketing purposes. Their videos are more like teasers to introduce their products—which, if you really want you’ll have to purchase.

And if you want their private coaching services, again, you’ll have to pay. And so, if you have this misguided notion that you can take voice lessons on YouTube outright, you'll need to think again.

There are millions of videos on YouTube on all manner of topics that hand out advice and handy tips. However, the reason why these tips go online—it has to be understood—is to promote some sort of product the video poster is selling. Pure and simple!

So, if you think you can learn to sing straight off the tips they're giving on video, you are well and truly mistaken. It’s never going to happen, unless you purchase the products they are promoting… which, usually, will contain a collection of vocal exercises compiled for the product.

I hope this has shed a little bit of light on the purpose of the YouTube video that offers tips on singing. To watch voice training videos straight out of my voice studio sessions, simply Like my Facebook Fan Page here!

SUBSCRIBE to My YouTube Channel TODAY... Click Here!

You Are the Instrument, Learn to Sing Like a Pro!


JOETT
Vocal Coach & Author "Letters from a Vocal Coach"
Private Singing Lessons
Download Joett Vocal Drills