How to Find a Rich Diet Of Great Vocals

How often does one hear a singer utter the words "I've been inspired by"? Well, it goes without saying, inspiration in music comes from music.
I've got a pretty long list myself. Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Peabo Bryson, The Temptations, Shalamar, Mica Paris, James Brown, Anita Baker, Michael Jackson, Omar, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross... and the list goes on. But what all of these legendary  artists have in common is they're damn good at what they do. I have nothing against current productions, there's some really good music out there, but in all honesty, if you look to yesteryear for musical inspiration, you can't go wrong. And the place to find this type of music is JazzFM.com. They play great music. If you love great music, you'll love this station. I listen to Jazz FM radio over the Internet almost every day. Give it a bash! You won't regret it.

On Monday 5 April, Jazz FM released its latest compilation CD, Funky Sensation. Inspired by the now legendary weekly club event held at Ronnie's Bar at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London's swingin' Soho, Funky Sensation  28 jazz, funk and soul classics, including The Blackbyrds, Luther Vandross, Gil Scott-Heron, Gwen McCrae, Sister Sledge and Earth, Wind & Fire. That's one more good reason to tune in to the station, their compilation albums are, quite literally, the icing on the cake!

joett

Vocal Coach| Pop, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Dance 

How to Produce a Better Sound When Singing

I don't know how many times I repeat this over and over again in my singing lessons, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. You could easily get away with mumbling your way in speech...with your mouth half closed, but when it comes to singing you're not going to get very far. You have to drop the jaw, take your voice back to the voice box, and use the vocal chords. Open your mouth to sing. There are no shortcuts. If you want to sing, I'm afraid, you will have to open your mouth. In order for that sound to come out loud and clear (and for you to hit the high notes with ease), you'll want a nice open throat. Try singing the vowels "A E I O U" with a half open mouth; and then place two fingers between your teeth to create a gap, and then go back to sing the vowels whilst maintaining that amount of space between your teeth. Look in the mirror as you do this. Chances are - if you do this correctly, you will hear a completely different (and better) sound in the latter.

For a detailed explanation on vocal cords, go to this article on Wikipedia  


Thanks for dropping by!

joett

Vocal Coach | Pop, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Dance

Rozalla Miller: Brand New Version

I met Rozalla Miller at a popular nightclub at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe in the early 80s, where she had a regular gig at the time (and where I'd gone to audition for a slot at the same club), before she hit the big time in the UK with the club anthem Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) that debuted at number 6 on Top Of the Pops in 1991, and number 1 in the US dance charts ... and then she went on to tour with Michael Jackson. I've followed her career with interest (from the young talented girl in Zimbabwe to being crowned Queen Of Rave on the international arena); I met her again at a club in London just after she'd come off the stage. I've bought every album she's put out...dating back to the 90s. So when I found out she'd recently released a new album, I had to get it! 

Despite being best known for her 1991 hit 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)', Rozalla Miller's new album, Brand New Version, is much mellower than the dance-production she favored in the 90s. This album is a jazz/soul feel, and the song choices represent a departure from her previous work, with Brand New Version including covers of Paul Weller's 'Broken Stones' and Wolfman & Pete Doherty's 'For Lovers'. I do love the album, I've been playing it on repeat quite a lot in recent days. She's got a good, strong vocal. I'd advise you to grab a copy of her new album from HMV music store and have a listen.

Thanks for dropping by!

Joett

Music Conservatoire of Tanzania to Launch August 2010

The Music Conservatoire of Tanzania is coming in August 2010, and I've been invited to teach. They'll be based in Oysterbay, pretty close to where I live, and I believe they're in the process of building a website. So, if you're looking to learn to play an instrument, sing, whatever tickles your fancy, the Music Conservatoire of Tanzania will be the place to go. As soon as I have more information, I'll blog it here!

I haven't had a chance to blog in a while, but I intend to pop round here to do that as often as I can. There's so much I want to write about, but hey, you know what it's like when you're caught up with tons of other things that all need your attention (lol). So catch you later, folks. I promise.

Thanks for dropping by,

Joett

Mica Paris Born Again

When I first met my record producer Tambi Fernando at his studio in London, he played me a couple of new tracks he'd been recording with Mica Paris. I was thrilled. Mica Paris is my idol, and here I was about to start working with someone who's produced for Mica Paris? You can imagine how I felt. Having debuted with the hit single My One Temptation back in 1988, Mica has now been in the entertainment business for over twenty years. I've bought every album she's ever put out -- that's how big a fan I am -- and now she's got a new album released 22nd March 2010 -- a repackaged Bonus Edition to her 2009 critically acclaimed album Born Again...and you guessed it, I bought the album! It is totally awesome. The album's title track and forthcoming single 'Born Again' is an epic ballad with sweeping strings and cut glass arrangement with a vocal that leaves you tingling. It is no wonder that Whitney Houston wanted this track for her come back. Producer Brian Rawling insisted that the song was "made for Mica" and Whitney was refused. And featured on the same album, a track entitled 'Breathless' was given to Mica personally by Rihanna.

My One Temptation, her chart-topping track from 1988, is also included in this album but in acoustic splendor. You've got to at least listen to the original version on this YouTube video here. Today, I downloaded the lyrics and used that to train one of my students...after we'd finished with the vocal exercises, of course. It is a great track to work with, under my guidance, if you want to learn how to sing like a diva.

Thanks for dropping by,

Joett

Breathe Your Way to Better Singing

I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of breathing properly when you sing. Bad breathing equals bad vocals. It's really as simple as that. Two important pointers. Drop the jaw (the way you do when you yawn) and breathe in through the mouth every step of the way. Do not breathe in through your nose. There is a limited amount of air you can inhale through the nose in the short space of time available between each note when singing. Dropping the jaw to drink that breath is key. The wider you open your mouth, the more breath you're able to suck in. You will notice that at the top of your breath intake (when your mouth is wide open) is when you will be taking in the most breath.

I always tell my students that dropping the jaw to breathe not only trains you to open your mouth wide to breathe, it also trains you to open your mouth wide to hit the high notes! Yes, you heard that right.  A half open mouth will only deliver half the goods. I think that's a pretty good analogy. When your throat is wide open, your voice comes through more sharply, you'll have a better tone, and you will hit the high notes with greater ease. So the next time you're having trouble sustaining a note, check your breathing. Chances are you're not breathing correctly (for singing). I have corrected this problem with my students and every time, it has made a world of difference.

Thanks for dropping by!

Joett

Craig David Signed, Sealed and Delivered

A diet of great music with good vocals is one sure fire way to understanding vocals. British singer Craig David, who made his big break with hit single Fill Me In at age eighteen ten years ago, has the kind of vocals you'll want to listen to intently and to analyze deeply. He has a new album Signed, Sealed and Delivered released this week. I've been listening to his interview with Trevor Nelson and Gemma on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Have a listen, and please pay close attention to his Live Lounge rendition of Fill Me In. An outstanding performance. Enjoy!

Have a great Easter Sunday!

Joett