Clik here to view.
Can you join a choir if you can’t hit a note?
I had an enquiry this week: “Am I correct in believing that, to join your choir, it isn’t necessary to be able to hit a note?”I said that yes, that was the case. But it’s important to unpick what...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Not everyone will like your singing voice – but that’s OK
Your friend plays you one of their favourite singers and you just don’t get it. To your ears it sounds pretty awful.Liking a singing voice is very subjective. We all know that. However, it can get us...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A little self-doubt as a singer can help – especially if you’re a man!
There was an article in The Guardian about how women tend to experience more self-doubt than men.I’ve noticed that the men who come to my singing weekends are often not as good as the women. I’m...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What do singing and sex have in common? – more than you think!
Sex is (mostly) a private activity. If somebody were to observe you, you would (probably) find it embarrassing.Singing with others is an acceptable public activity, but it too can be embarrassing....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why being ‘pitchy’ can be in the ear of the beholder
Sometimes when I watch TV singing talent shows like The Voice or X-Factor I think that the singer is out of tune, but the judges don’t seem to notice.At other times the judges point out that a singer...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Leading your first ever singing group – a complete beginner’s guide
I am often asked for advice from people who want to start a singing group, but have absolutely no experience.photo by The U.S. ArmyOr sometimes people have been asked to start a workplace choir or to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making the space work for you – how to cope with unusual venues
I have run several singing workshops recently in less-than-ideal spaces.Rather than being a problem, I found ways to embrace the situation. Here are some ideas you might find useful.Over the last few...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Effective ways to make a song more interesting for your audience
Sometimes choirs think it’s enough to sing a song well. They stand in static rows and sing the whole thing from start to finish.photo by John CummingsBut that can be like watching paint dry. You need...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Should choir leaders socialise with their choir members?
Many choirs hold social events throughout the year. It helps build a choir community and encourages team spirit. That can only be a good thing.photo by Split the KipperBut should your choir leader be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When singers don’t show up – how to rehearse effectively
The other week it snowed quite badly where I live. I held a rehearsal as usual, but only 23 singers turned up out of 56.We have a concert coming up soon. What do you do when so many singers are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Should conductors mouth the words for their choirs?
I’ve often mouthed the words for my choirs. I’d rather singers don’t use lyric sheets when performing, so it’s a kind of security blanket for them.photo by Tambako the JaguarBut it can be considered...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lip trilling and bubbling – is it useful and how to do it properly
I use lip trills (or lip bubbles) as part of my warm ups. Some singers find them hard to do. Others don’t see the point.I’m going to share some expert advice so you can do lip trills properly then make...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What to do when you run out of ideas
It comes to all of us at some point. We sit down to plan a warm up or rehearsal or singing workshop and we just go blank.That’s exactly how I’m feeling now writing this blog post! Here are a few ideas...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Audition or self-selection? – how to select singers for specific projects
Most of my work is carried out using Natural Voice Network principles. That means my singing projects are open to anyone who wants to sing.Occasionally though I do side-projects which involve selecting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 7 elements of vocal blend and how to control them
There is a balance in any choir between individual voices and the overall sound. Most choirs aim to blend voices so that there is a cohesion rather than individual voices sticking out.photo by...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why do choirs stand in sections to learn songs? Here’s an alternative that...
Most choirs rehearse and perform with voice parts standing together in blocks: all the sopranos will be together, all the basses together, etc.But there are other ways to rehearse (and perform) songs...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finding your voice can be scary – but don’t let that stop you
I’ve heard a couple of stories this week from otherwise confident individuals who find it scary and embarrassing to sing with others.photo by Howard LakeWhat’s going on here? And is there a connection...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How do you know if you’re singing the right thing?
Often, at the end of a singing workshop, someone will tell me that they didn’t think they were singing the right thing and ask if there is anything they can do about it.photo by Xavier VergésIt’s often...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why my singers don’t use recorded parts to learn songs
Some choirs make recorded parts available to their singers and expect them to know their part when they come to the first rehearsal of the song.For me though, learning together in the same space is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Does God mind if you sing badly in church?
I’m not a religious man, but I often get emails from church choirs.Recently I’ve had a few such enquiries asking what to do about singers in the choir or congregation who sing too loudly or out of...
View Article