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Just a quick little post here as I feel like this is an important thing to address as a female singer in the rock metal music scene, which is traditionally a heavily male dominated genre. It probably isn’t surprising that when Linkin Park announced their new singer as Emily Armstrong (co-founder of Dead Sara) there were going to be some noses out of joint. Initially it was an attempted character assassination, which I won’t go into, as it has been covered thoroughly and Armstrong herself has made a public statement about it. Another reason I won’t go into it is because it is nonsense. I mean David Draiman literally signed bombs that the IDF used to kill Palestinians and he is still singing.  Then the attacks focussed on her vocals, she doesn’t sound like a dude! He doesn’t sound like Chester Bennington, well no sh*t. She isn’t him. What I do think is that the swift attempt to cancel Armstrong before she had even kicked off is because of the obvious fierce loyalty to Bennington (he was brilliant and very missed) but also because people are pissed that Mike Shinoda replaced him with a female singer.  Honestly, I think having Armstrong sing original Linkin Park songs is setting her up, because Bennington was a brilliant singer and no matter how good she is, she cannot and never will sound like him. But on her own she is an awesome scream singer. Their launch single, The Emptiness Machine, in which Shinoda and Armstrong share lead vocals is a catchy, bore into your brain hit and I love it. I have seen some footage of their current tour and she holds her own and is a great front person. I think in order for people to enjoy the new Linkin Park, they need to let go of the old Linkin Park, hold it dear in their hearts, but embrace their new direction and their new singer, yes, it’s tough to not compare when they keep playing old songs, but not impossible.  I know there are many levels of controversy around the rebrand of Linkin Park, but if the music is good, then really, what is the problem? Would Bennington want Shinoda to never play their songs again? I don’t know, Shinoda would know and made his choice, and that choice can weigh on his conscience. But it took seven years after Bennington passed for Linkin Park to release a new single, so the choice has not come lightly.  For those still with their noses out of joint because Armstrong is in the band, honestly it’s time to chill, it is band, nothing more, nothing less. There are much bigger issues in the world right now. Worry about them instead.
Female singers in rock and metal are growing in numbers and are here to stay and I am absolutely here for it. And to the man who had the audacity to tell my twelve year old, music obsessed daughter not to listen to Linkin Park because Armstrong is a ‘bad person' Kindly shut up. Peace.
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In the midst of the slow down of school holidays, the pause in work commitments, I have taken the chance to watch the latest season of The Bear (Season 3) It is one of the best shows to hit television of late, and if you think it is just a drama about running a restaurant, you are mistaken. It is funny, moving, and exhaustingly brilliant.  Everyone in this show is exceptional. Every single actor brings so much charm and depth to their roles that I find it captivating. But for me, the absolute stand out is Jamie Lee Curtis, even though she is a minor character in terms of screen time. Jamie, perhaps most well known to some as the scream queen in the Halloween franchise, plays the matriarch of the Berzatto family.  Now superficially, her face carries the lines and stories of her years and trauma, and it is brilliant. Donna Berzatto has lived, a hard life and carries a lot of emotional weight and with her, which she often unwillingly dumps in the rest of the Berzatto clan. And that brings me to the reason for my post. She is so immersed in the role, in being Donna, that you forget she is Jamie. She is an actor who commits with every inch of her soul. Without words you will see every thought, (this is the point) every emotional moment of turmoil, etched painfully into her face as she struggles to contain herself. She has left me stunned, tearful, and heartbroken. Season 2- Episode 6 Fishes, was one of the best dramatic episodes of a show I have ever seen and that is largely due to Jamie Lee Curtis, but the ensemble work was also exceptional. And now in season 3, Episode 8 Ice Chips, again she brought me emotionally undone, even though it didn’t carry the same prolonged intensity of Season 2’s episode.  It is this commitment, this emotional vulnerability and connection that we as performers, singers, actors, must allow ourselves to sink into. It is what our audiences deserve. When it comes to singing, having a beautiful voice and technique is one thing, a good thing for sure, but if you stand up and sing with no connection, no emotion, no vulnerability. Your audience will get bored. They may feel something is missing, although they may compliment you on your lovely voice, it goes no deeper than this. It is a missed opportunity and your audience and you deserve more. This is one of the reasons I focus on more than just vocal production in lessons, I work with students to help them reach deeper levels of connection so they become well rounded and outstanding performers. Taking some acting classes is something I would recommend for singers/performers. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable, choosing repertoire that you can connect too, or finding the common threads between the words and your motivation. It is all essential. Be brave lovely ones.   I cannot count the amount of times people say to me, ‘God you wouldn’t want to hear me sing!’ or ‘I’m tone deaf’ or ‘I can’t sing at all,’ and so on and no matter what I say to assure them that isn’t the case they won’t hear it. It makes me cranky and a little sad and I wonder, why do so many people think this about themselves? Is it because they have been told by somebody one day that they sound bad? Is it because they hear themselves and think they sound awful? Perhaps they have tried lessons with a crappy teacher and walked away feeling disheartened? Perhaps they really don’t sound too good at that point in time. Does that mean they can’t? Or never will? Well in my opinion no it doesn’t. I believe everyone can learn to sing. Yes, it’s true there are different levels of talent, of starting points, but everyone can improve their voice, their pitch, their performance, and confidence with some lessons with the right teacher.  You don’t need to be the next Ariana Grande or Beyonce to sing. And you shouldn’t want to be, you should want to be the next you. After all, there is only one of you, just like there is only one Ariana and one Beyonce. There are millions of different voices in the world, each one unique and with its own gift to offer. I can still hear you arguing, but ‘I really am tone deaf!’ Honestly you aren’t. True ‘tone deafness’ or Amusia is actually very rare. Amusia is a cognitive disorder that does not allow an individual the ability to detect, recognize or preproduce musical notes. Now if you are telling me you sound off, then you can HEAR that you aren’t singing the right note. If you can speak with different pitches, you are not tone deaf. So let that misconception go. Singing the correct pitch, or singing in tune is essential for the singer, no one wants to listen to a singer singing out of tune, but rest assured, singing in tune is a skill you can practice.  This is how I suggest you start. If you have a keyboard or stringed instrument, choose one note that is comfortable for you, that sits within your normal speaking range or a range you feel comfortable singing in and strike that note. Listen carefully to it and then recreate it with your voice. Play random notes within your comfort zone and repeat the process. Do this for a couple of minutes a day and your ear will improve and you will get to the note faster. Don’t do it for too long because your ear, brain and voice will become weary, just a couple of minutes once or twice a day will suffice. Once you feel comfortable with this, then you could try singing a verse of a song you love, again, one that sits comfortably in your range and see how you go. If this doesn’t eventually work for you, then perhaps there is another vocal issue going on. But have patience, you are learning a new skill.  I said it makes me cranky when people say they can’t sing, and that is not because I am cranky with them for thinking that but because they have probably been told they can’t, or maybe they compare themselves to singers who have had years of training and experience. That is not being fair on themselves. I don’t want anyone who has loves to sing to hold themselves back. My point is if you want to sing, don’t let anyone, including yourself stop you and I can help. I have a special offer currently running where I am offering vocal assessments for half price. So, let’s chat and see what we can achieve together.  To sum up.
1.Everyone can sing. Yes even you. 2.Practice tuning your voice: Play a note on a piano or stringed instrument. Listen to it. Sing it. Repeat process on different notes. Once comfortable, sing a little of a song you love. 3.Book in for a half price online vocal assessment. Happy Singing. If you are a singer, or a singing student or even a shower singer, it is important that you take some easy steps to look after your instrument. Yes that's right, your voice is an instrument and because you cant pop down the local guitar shop for a restring, you need to take steps to make sure it is protected and cared for. Here are some of my top tips to get you started.  1. HYDRATE - As a singer, it is essential that you keep your water intake up. This ensures that your vocal folds/vocal chords are properly hydrated, otherwise they may tire easily and take longer to recover. It is also important to drink enough water throughout the day and not just when you are singing as drinking water only as you sing is not enough to ensure hydration. Staying hydrated, apart from being excellent for your health in general, helps ensures vocal cord lubrication and reduces the risk of damage. The other benefit of having a drink bottle with a straw close by is that you are able to do some straw phonation which is super easy and kind of fun and is also a perfect segue into the next tip. 2. WARM UP YOUR VOICE - Warming up the voice is essential for singers and speakers, as it helps to gently stretch and prepare the vocal cords, improving flexibility and reducing the risk of injury. It is never advisable to sing without warming up, you are at risk of strain and pain if you do this. It is also a good idea to warm down after singing. Treat your voice and your vocal chords with the respect they deserve. Just as a runner would warm up and warm down after a marathon, your vocal chords need the same love and care. Try some gentle humming, or some lip trills (bubbles) moving up and down a scale. For straw phonation - fill a cup with enough water to be able to blow bubbles using a straw, and then do your vocal exercises through the straw. It’s as though you’re taking a sip of water but instead you are pushing air through the straw into the water as you phonate your exercise. This is a great way to warm up the voice and gently expand your vocal range.  3. AVOID ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND YELLING – That’s a lot isn’t it, but all of these things contribute to the deterioration of your voice. Let’s dive in deeper. Avoiding yelling is paramount for singers as it can strain and damage the delicate vocal cords, leading to hoarseness and reduced vocal control. Instead, singers should focus on using proper breath support and vocal technique to project their voice effectively without resorting to harmful vocal habits like yelling. Whispering can be just as bad, so avoid it if you can. Minimising alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking is also crucial for singers as these habits can dehydrate the vocal cords, diminish lung capacity, and impair overall vocal quality. I know there are some singers that enjoy the sound of their voice after a few ciggies and bourbons, and some singers who seem to be more robust and able to withstand the impact smoking and drinking has on the voice, I am not one of them! But with these habits, but career longevity is not assured. At the very least, don’t drink or smoke close to when you have a performance.  4. EXERCISE - Regular exercise is crucial for singers as it improves cardiovascular health, enhances breath control, and strengthens the muscles used in vocal production. Incorporating activities like cardio, yoga, or swimming can help singers maintain optimal physical fitness, supporting their vocal stamina and performance longevity. Even just going for walks will do the world of good, grab your dog and head out. You don’t have to go crazy with it, but don't be a couch potato either. It is also a good idea to practise songs while walking on the treadmill, (just ask Taylor Swift) it helps to ensure you have the stamina and lung capacity to perform, just make sure you warm up first!  5. SLEEP - Quality sleep is paramount for singers as it allows the vocal cords to rest and repair, enhancing vocal endurance and performance consistency. Adequate rest also promotes overall well-being, ensuring singers remain mentally and physically prepared for demanding rehearsals and performances. It isn’t unusual for singers to keep irregular hours, touring, gigging, even recording can go late into the night, so try and catch those zzz’s when you can. If you are on a tour bus, make sure your sleeping area is dark and wear and eye mask, also get some noise cancelling headphones to ensure quiet. Without adequate sleep it won’t take long until you begin to unravel vocally.  I hope these tips have helped you to gain a little insight into what it takes to be a professional singer, or even a good amateur one. Honestly these tips are worthwhile for everyone but pretty much essential if you want a long and enjoyable career in music. Singing is definitely a rewarding career and certainly worth a few lifestyle adjustments. If you have any questions about anything I have mentioned, send me an email and I will answer them.
Happy Singing. 
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