Joett Dance Studio

I've been unable to start the dance program. Last week was practically impossible. My schedule is pretty tight. I had to reorganize that over the weekend. So now, hopefully, the first dance class kicks off this Thursday. I haven't quite decided on the time slot just yet, but as soon as I know, everyone on the waiting list will receive an SMS from me.

In the meanwhile my new DANCE calling cards (to appear on the flip side of my VOICE cards) are being printed as we speak. I've just approved the artwork (see left). Like it? So catch you later!

New Voice and Dance Studio in Dar es salaam

I've been teaching voice from my very own living space for the past nine months, but as of Friday the 3rd of September, work on refurbishing one of my en-suite bedrooms into a voice and dance studio was completed and I received the first students into my new studio that very Friday. My vocal training space is now more spacious. Wonderful. And I do like the acoustics of the room too... cos you can now hear your own voice more clearly as it bounces back off the walls. There's hardly any furniture in the room. I will be adding more high stools in the coming weeks, and more framed pictures on the walls, but that's your lot. I intend to keep it as sparsely furnished as possible.

My Dance ad also went out Friday, but I don't intend to start until sometime next week. I still need to set up the dance program before I begin classes. Dance is the most fun way to get in shape, look good and feel great! As a former pop singer, dance choreographer and personal fitness trainer, not only have I got the dynamic dance moves to whip you into shape, I've now got a brand new dance studio! Come to think of it, I've always wanted this. Want to know what sort of moves you're getting yourselves into (if you sign up for this)? Think Janet Jackson. Think pop.

Catch ya later!

JOETT
Vocal Coach | Dance Choreographer
Mob# 0715 364 045 / 0787 364 045
Email: info[at]joettmusic[dot]com

Vocal Training: Finding Your True Voice, How Long Will it Take?

I received a call from a prospective student today, and they asked me a very interesting question. They wanted to know if by the end of the course they'd be able to sing. Well, without going into a long, drawn out song and dance over this, I simply replied that it all depended on the individual's ability (and talent!). Excellent question, it has to be said. And I'd like to expound on that in this blog post.

From when I started out vocal coaching in Dar es salaam in December last year, I've signed just over 70 students. But before I sign anybody up, I would have them pop round for a free thirty-minute assessment session where I'd want to hear them sing; after which I would run them through a breathing and vocal training exercise (with the scales) in order to assess where they're at vocally, and to demonstrate how I work. If I think they've got what it takes, I would invite them to sign up for the Beginners 1 Vocal Training Program. That said, during the fifteen hours of training they will receive on the program, I endeavor to help them improve the voice they already have. Thus far, my success rate has been pretty high. I'd say near enough 95% of my students have come away with remarkably better singing voices... and some have been outstanding. When I work my students through cover songs (or songs THEY, or I have written), the idea is to rein them in to apply what they've learned, to song (it works every time). I can help you improve your range, pitch accuracy, flexibility, and, of course, the quality of your voice through proper breathing techniques, but at the end of the day, YOU are the instrument and it's all down to you to make it work. My job is to help you find YOUR true voice and to help you use your God given instrument as best you can. I hope this has answered your question.

I'd like to thank the caller (you know who you are) for inspiring this blog post.

Sincerely,


Joett

How to Improve Your Tone When You Sing - Say Vaagh!

I was saying to one of my new students just yesterday that I ought to blog more often. Well, here's a quick line to just let you know that all is going well with my studio recording project, but hey, it is turning out to be quite a lot of work. I don't have a clue when all of this will end, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Some of the pointers (and exercises) in my upcoming vocal training CD will include how to say VAAGH to eliminate the nasal sound, and to improve your projection. Try this: Say VAAGH (the G being silent) ... make sure you open the mouth and ‘gradually’ drop the jaw – all the way down – as you say VAAGH. You'll notice that not only does everything come out the mouth, your voice is clearer and more powerful. This, I find, is one of the best ways to produce your real voice. Give it a go whenever you feel you're not hitting the mark with the tone when you sing.

Have fun!

Joett

Piano and Vocal, Making Music the Old Fashioned Way

I just got back from a recording studio...where I was recording my next single I Could Never Live (Without Your Love). Piano and vocal... it's wonderful to make music the old fashioned way. I've tremendously enjoyed writing and composing this new track with my co-composer Luigi Tamburi -- a remarkably talented and skilled pianist -- it's an honor to be working with you, Luigi! It feels great to be recording again. All wrapped up now. We've nailed it! Next week we're back in the studio to lay down the vocal training module built around the song. After which, all the sound files go to a state-of-the-art recording studio in London for mixing, mastering AND we're getting a couple of dance remixes thrown in for good measure. I quite look forward to that. I'll keep you posted. Gotta catch some sleep now. I am exhausted and I've got a long day tomorrow.

Good night!


Joett

How the Diaphragm Affects Your Singing

Surrounding your lungs is a muscular system called the diaphragm which is attached to the lower, sides, bottom and back of your ribs. When you breathe in, the diaphragm muscle lowers and displace your internal organs. When you breathe out the diaphragm helps to bring in the muscles around the lungs (abdominal muscles) to control how quickly the breath is exhaled just like an accordion squeezing out air in a consistent way. 

If you breathe out fast, the diaphragm does nothing and just sits pretty.  When you breathe out very slowly, the diaphragm resists the contraction of the abdominal muscles. A good singer will then use this diaphragm muscular system to control the singing breath as it is being exhaled.

Hold your index finger about an inch from your lips and breathe out slowly and try to notice the action of the diaphragm as you exhale. This should be the amount of breath used when you sing. A singer does not need to 'push' or 'force' air through the vocal cords to produce a good strong or loud sound, doing this will create a lot of air pressure against the vocal folds and may damage the vocal cords.

This set of singing lessons cover the art (and science) of how your diaphragm affects your voice. If your singing were done by computer, you could click the mouse and correct the sounds and volume. However, you do not have a digital voice, just a human singing voice so you have to learn to control it from within. This article will help you achieve that goal.

If you've been singing any length of time, you have probably heard the phrase "sing with your diaphragm" already. But what does this really mean? What is your diaphragm and how does it work? How does the diaphragm help with singing? Let's explore what the word "diaphragm" really means and how it is connected to good singing. Read the article How the Diaphragm Affects Your Singing here.

Thanks for visiting,

Tony Joett

Vocal Coach - Pop, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Dance, Gospel

See Your Vocal Cords in Action

I thought it would be a good idea to let you see your vocal cords in action. According to Wikipedia, the vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx. They vibrate, modulating the flow of air being expelled from the lungs during phonation.

It goes on to say, open during inhalation, closed when holding one's breath, and vibrating for speech or singing (oscillating 440 times per second when singing A above middle C), the folds are controlled via the vagus nerve. They are white because of scant blood circulation.

The larynx is a major (but not the only) source of sound in speech, generating sound through the rhythmic opening and closing of the vocal folds. To oscillate, the vocal folds are brought near enough together such that air pressure builds up beneath the larynx. The folds are pushed apart by this increased subglottal pressure, with the inferior part of each fold leading the superior part. Under the correct conditions, this oscillation pattern will sustain itself. In essence, sound is generated in the larynx by chopping up a steady flow of air into little puffs of sound waves, called triygergonus. To read the full article on Wikipedia click here!

Thanks for dropping by,

tony joett