Helpful Article #02

Singing Techniques - Facial Expressions Can Hinder Your Singing
By Al Koehn

Did you ever notice how easy it seems for good singers? Even when they are singing loud rock songs or the big endings of pop or country songs, it almost seems like they are just acting like they are working hard to produce the volume or high notes. That's because much of how they look is actually acting.
They really aren't pushing and shoving nearly as much as they try to make you believe Much of what they are doing is for show.

Audiences are very perceptive when it comes to recognizing whether a singer is having to strain and stress, or whether he is in complete control of the song. The singer who actually has to push, shove and strain is subconsciously labeled an amateur by the average listener. The audience may not know why, but they can feel that this singer isn't very good.
I'm going to list and discuss a few of the causes of the singer having to work too hard.

1. The song is simply too high or low in range for them to handle well. Much of the time this can be solved by choosing the right key, but all too often singers perform songs they just shouldn't be singing in public. At least not until they've increased their range, etc. through working with a voice teacher or a recorded singing course.

2. The singer should be practicing the song WITHOUT USING ANY FACIAL EXPRESSION. This also applies to any vocal warmups or exercises they may be working with. Nothing you do with your facial and throat muscles is going to help your singing. In fact such muscle activities get in the way of all aspects of good singing.

Does this mean you should never perform using facial expressions? Of course not. But consider the guitar or piano player whose facial expressions mirror their emotions. Do they really need those expressions to play better?

3. Poor inhalation and breathing techniques are prime causes of the singer having to push and strain. Breath is your singing fuel. Just as good driving habits can save fuel (keeping the speed down, not gunning the motor, etc.), so good breathing techniques can save singing fuel and put it to better uses. Do some research, and you will find a treasure of information on good breathing techniques.

4. Stay in good physical shape, and eat right. The stuff you put in your body has a direct bearing on how well, and how easily you sing. Think about this: your body is your instrument. No other musicians can claim this. The guitar player is not the guitar, the sax player is not the sax. But you are your voice. Take care of your instrument.

5. Don't take your work, family and other stresses to performances. If you really get into the songs there will be no room for other thoughts. Keep your thoughts and emotions where they should be: in your song and performance.

If you feel you are having to stress and strain your voice, you are, and the audience can tell.

Want to learn more easy techniques to improve your singing? Download my powerful new FREE eBook: "TIPS & TOOLS FOR ALL SINGERS" at: http://vocalvision.com/ebook1

Al Koehn is a nationally recognized voice teacher, known for achieving amazing results with simple and highly effective techniques.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Koehn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Singing-Techniques---Facial-Expressions-Can-Hinder-Your-Singing&id=4368893