Cross-Train Methods are Different for All, But There are a Few Models and Ideas

Cross-training methods may be different in each individual and each individual voice studio.  However, there are a few places to get solid ideas and solid training to do so. Trying out a few methods will help you as a teacher or as a singer find what is comfortable and works for you.  We are in a time of changing music which requires us to embrace and meld the new with our older tried and true techniques.  Use the building blocks of breath support, posture, and palate lift and alter them slightly to achieve the desired sound.  You simply cannot belt or sing country without slightly altering the classical techniques of singing.  Not everyone is going to agree with every new technique, but that is part of what makes singing teaching and singing in general a science as well as an art!

A ground-breaker in this philosophy is Jeanie LoVetri who created Somatic Voicework, the basis for the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenendoah University.  It is a balance of voice science, classical vocal training, yoga, movement, dance, acting and speech training. It is more widely trusted because it is based on what the voice is doing.   Register balance, vowel sound changes, posture, breathing and stylistic authenticity are the primary tools.

'When done in an informed manner, CCM accomplishes results without compromising a singer's health.  The technique of mixing chest tone into a sound, rather than continual chest belt keeps the voice versatile and healthy.  An educated ear can guide this development.' Marcelle Gauvin, Shenendoah Conservatory

The key words here are to do it under an educated ear and careful guidance.

'Vocal damage can happen in any style of singing if there is improper technique, abuse, or overuses, especially if the vocal gymnastics are on a daily basis!  Get well-informed training to stay healthy.'  Wendy DeLeo LeBorgne, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Clinical Director. Singing Voice Specialist & Voice Pathologist


With first hand experience taking some of the classes, I learned a great deal about healthy ways to manipulate sounds to achieve overall vocal goals, it just must be closely monitored by a singing teacher and what the vocalist feels.  Going back and forth between singing a variety of styles helps you solidify your technique and minimize vocal abuse just as a runner who instills yoga into their training for a marathon keeps them flexible and strong.  It is by no means the only method of cross-training the voice, but valuable.

The continual development of music and the arts necessitate that we embrace cross-training and to help our singers to be versatile singers!  If we educate ourselves, we ensure their success.

Stay tuned next week for a discussion from another leading 'cross-training' pedagogue, Mary Saunders-Barton at Penn State University.

Read more detail about cross-training the voice in these sources:

NATS  (they now have a Classical and Musical Theater Competition)

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Voice Pedagogy in Musical Theatre at Penn State University

Sing like you speak by Sally Morgan www.singlikeyouspeak.com

What do you think and what methods do you use?

Cross- Training the Singing Voice- Is it Healthy?

Cross-Training the singing voice can indeed be healthy if done in the right way!  What is cross-training a singer? As singers, we are vocal athletes.  Your voice adapts to the demands of the styles of singing BEST when cross-training.  Think about a runner.  If ALL they do is run and don't balance training out with some yoga or stretching, they get very tight and inflexible.  If ALL you do is belt, certain muscles that help control your vocal folds become stronger then others creating an imbalance and inflexibility in the voice.  If the runner practices yoga, they become more flexible and can in turn run better and longer.  If the singer practices some classical or 'legit' musical theater singing in addition to their belt, their voice is more flexible and endures singing for a longer time.  Yin for yang and balance in everything helps maximize potential!

When cross-training the voice you can:
* Find your true singing strengths
* Can keep the voice healthy and physically balanced
* Keeps you emotionally balanced
* Makes you more versatile to hire

There are physical differences for the different genres of singing that cause a different shape of the vocal tract. This alters the space that the sound can bounce around in therefore creating varying sound characteristics.  In other words, physical processes of singing belt vs. 'legit' vs. pop make the voice SOUND different.

Belt Characteristics
* Higher larynx, lower soft palate, more agressive

Legit/Classical Characteristics
* Low larynx, high soft palate

Pop/Country Characteristics
* Lower soft palate, altered vowels, facial lift, and often nasality

All of these physical models for singing can be healthy ways to sing when used in balance AND when you follow the 4 No's (Lisa Popeil)
1. No pressing of the vocal folds. (It shouldn't feel pressed)
2. No laryngeal discomfort.  (It shouldn't hurt)
3. No upper belly squeeze.  (Make sure support is not too high!)
4. No singing louder than you can control.  (Know you can always go one more level up!)

Crossing Over: Broadening Your Horizons, Classical Singer 2007

Explore different genres and use a balance of singing of different styles safely with a teacher.  In my studio, students sing repertoire of various styles.  This helps to balance out the physical demands of the styles and keeps the voice healthy.  Belt has different demands than classical and classical has different demands than pop.  A good model for practicing might be to warm up, sing an art song or 'legit' theater piece, work on a belt song, return to a 'legit' theater song or folk song to warm down.  You are exercising all of your vocal muscles, but in a more balanced way.  Within this realm, always produce your sound and pay attention to what your voice feels like.  (Read more about different ways to cross-train and Somatic Voicework methods next week).

Crossing Over to Another Genre of Singing- Why Should You Cross-Train, Cross-Over or Not?

Crossing over to another genre of singing is often something a singer must do in today's music world. Why not cross-over?  It makes you more marketable and more hire-able.  There are more singers than jobs out there.  Competition is fierce.  By exploring other styles of singing you not only make yourself more marketable but may discover something you do well that you never knew before.  You may fall in love with another style of singing that you never heard or did before.  Maximize your options.  It works in both directions- young high school singers who have only ever heard pop and country music and fall in love with opera or a classically trained opera singer finds she loves musical theater and belts and mixes rather well naturally.  You may find new strengths of your voice and in turn make your voice more flexible.

It used to be taboo to switch over from classical singing to musical theater or pop, but now it is more widely accepted and done!  Within the last 10-15 years, philosophy and needs have changed.  Opera people used to 'look down' on musical theater singers and musical theater singers didn't want to deal with 'starchy opera conductors or singers' (Helfgot and Mann, "Crossing Over", Classical Singer, 2003).  The wall between the two has been torn down for the most part.   No one really benefits from it.  Now we also throw pop and country into the mix.  No one benefits from the divisions really as artists are in high competition for the few roles and jobs out there.   It is commonplace to explore the variety of options out there.

How does this change preparing yourself to be a performing and hire-able singer?

1.  You must sing, act AND dance.  (Or at the very least supplement your voice lessons with some acting and dance lessons).

2. You must cross-train your voice
   - Work with a teacher exploring a few different styles of singing

3. Be aware of what the vocal and physical demands of the roles and shows that you audition for.
   - If you are an alto, don't try to get cast as a high soprano role unless you know your voice can do it!

4. Look good and be good.
  -  As much as I hate to say it, in today's society looks and body type do factor into casting in addition to raw talent.

5.  Be motivated and flexible or willing to adapt!

As always, you must pay attention to your body, your voice, and your brain so you know what truly works for YOU.  Cross-over to another style of singing is a realistic possibility in today's world. Cross-training is the way to accomplish it (tune in next week for details on cross-training the singing voice).

Singing in Different Languages- There are so many reasons to do so!

In last week's blog, I advocated singing in different languages, specifically Italian and Latin as being very valuable study.  I started with these as they have fewer individual pronunciation rules and less numbers of altered vowels.

The value of singing in many languages is immeasurable and so beneficial. So, I do not want to leave some of the others behind: German, French, and Spanish topping the list.  Each of these languages have their own challenges such as the consonant cluster and umlauts of German, the dark vowels and silent consonants of French, and the many dialects of the Spanish language.  All of these qualities are able to be mastered with the guidance of a teacher, diction coach, or the assistance of pronunciation guides (online or hard-copy).  They are also wonderful languages with a large variety of beautiful music.   As a voice major in college, you are required not only to sing in all of these languages, but at the very least take a diction class dealing with them all (and in some cases a year of each language).  Not all of us want to major in voice in college, but singing in a variety of language under the guidance of a singing teacher is valuable.

Why valuable?  

Enrich your cultural knowledge: You are exposed to many different styles of music:  the Italian Art Song is so different in quality than the German  Lied and the French Art Songs have distinct qualities as well.  If you only sample some of the different languages, it is like going to a breakfast buffet and not tasting all of the wonderful selections provided.  You will leave the restaurant not completely satisfied and possibly be cheated out of of a type of song that may show your voices truest light.  Of course not all styles of song suit all singers, however, you owe it to your voice to sample them (at the very least listen to a few of them).

Learn music history: Songs in different languages have distinct qualities, but certain characteristics exist across the languages through the various time periods.

Build your instrument:  Singing in different languages strengthens your overall instrument and makes your voice more versatile

Make yourself more hire-able in the work force /desirable to a voice program:  The time you take now to learn to sing in a variety of languages makes you more diversified to perform in the work force or be accepted into a college voice program.

Explore all of the beautiful music composed for the voice!

What if you are taking voice lessons just for fun? It is fun to play with our own language and how we change is slightly when we sing to maximize our vocal quality.  How much more fun would it be to do in a few languages?  Even if you just dabble in it briefly, give it a try.

Why Should You Learn to Sing in a Different Language? Why Italian?

I very often am asked the question, "Why should I learn to sing in a different language like Italian?"  As Americans, we think everybody speaks English and we listen to most of our music in English, so why should we bother to learn to sing in another language?

Backtrack a minute- what were the first languages of the world?  Latin, Italian, French, German, Hebrew, there are so many.  Therefore a large bulk of music written to date has been in a different language.  I am not speaking of pop music and musical theater, but many other styles of music that seem to be tossed aside.  Why SHOULDN'T you learn to sing in a different language?  Why should you rule it out simply because it is not your first language?  Singing is a form of communication in addition to being a think of beauty.  If we want to be able to communicate our song, we should learn to sing in more than one language.  

There are many valuable reasons to learn to sing in another language such as Italian or Latin !

Why Should You Sing in Italian or Latin?

- Italian/Latin have PURE vowels that make it easier to sing than English once you are familiar with the language.

-  Because we do not generally speak it, we do not inflect our accent upon it.  (Southern, Mid-western, or Northeastern)

- The beauty of the music itself!  There is a variety of beautiful songs for all ability levels available to study

- Studying music in another language broadens your horizons and exposes you to music you may not even know exists.

-  It increases your historical knowledge of music how we got to the music of today
   Most Italian art songs use the following:
     - Sequence
     - Verse and Chorus
     - Embellishing (adding notes to) a basic melody

- Creating artistic licence through embellishing a melody.
*Think about it -When was the last time you heard the National Anthem sung without added notes or     looked at sheet music for a pop song that is written differently from how you hear the artist perform it? This concept did not develop in the 21st century, but is centuries old.  When songs were performed as entertainment in parlors for guests, singers added notes and embellishments to the melody as personal artistry.

- Learning a little bit about other cultures helps us to appreciate differences and understand our own.

- When you then go and sing English, your singing of English is improved because of your mastery of pure vowels which CARRY the sound.  This is not to say we do not stylistically need to alter vowels, but it helps you to find your true sound first.

What if people don't understand the language or what I am saying?

Few people in your audience would actually claim to know word for word what you are saying. However, if you have researched the meaning of the words, you are able to sing the piece in a way that communicates the MEANING of the song.  Most recitals also provide a translation or opera's have subtitles.

Why not give it a try and see not only if you like it, but what it can do for your singing voice?  It is great to explore singing in many languages.  Some may be more comfortable for you then others, but expose you to so much beautiful music!

Wintertime and Singing- A Double Edge Sword. How do you avoid it?

Wintertime and singing truly are a double edge sword.  Why?  On one end, it is a great time to sing because you increase practice time.  You do NOT want to be outside, so you hibernate inside and practice more.  Sounds like a pure optimist who is drawn to the outdoor activities of the other 3 seasons of the year!  In a perfect world, that is what happens.  In reality, or on the other edge of the sword, a lot of people end up spending that extra time sick with a cold or worse!

It is indeed the time of year when every time you turn around someone is sick right next to you.  The back and forth between frigid temperatures and blasting heat wreaks havoc on our respiratory systems and we get a cold.  We are trapped inside with family and friends who are sick and get sick ourselves. What are the best ways to make sure that you are not a victim of the double edged sword?

10 Things to Do to Make Sure You Don't Get Sick this Winter  

1.        Avoid Contact with Those Who are Sick if at ALL Possible

2.        Practice Good Hygiene

-          Regularly wash your hands and minimize touching your face

3.       Hydrate

-          Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day

-          Avoid or minimize caffeine, it dries you out!

4.       Rest

-          Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night (more if you can)!

5.       Avoid Unnecessary Medication

-          Decongestants, Cold Medications, Inhalers are drying agents.

-          Use Nasal Saline Spray!

6.       Stay Physically Fit

-          Exercise often (3-5 times weekly)

-          Walking, swimming, running, yoga, and pilates are all excellent for singing!

7.       Use Good Singing Technique (ALL the time)

-          Good posture, breath support, correct range and appropriate repertoire

8.       Use Good Speech Habits

-          Support your speech as you would your singing

-          Don’t yell or talk over loud noise!

9.       Don't Sing or Talk too Much 

-          Try not to talk too much, too fast, too low in pitch, and breathe often

10.      Make time for a little relaxation and de-stressing!  The more you take care of YOU the healthier you are!  

**  Above all take care of yourself and pay attention to your body signals!  If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it!

Stresses of the New Year on a Singer and How to Manage it All - Planning, Staying Healthy, and Yoga are Useful!

Now that we are all in the midst of the schedules of the New Year, stresses may be piling upon you. The new year brings many silver linings, a fresh start, and a number of possibilities, but also the stress of how to accomplish it all.

Did you practice enough for your audition for the show? How are you going to learn all of those lyrics by your recital?  When are you going to study for that exam when you have to memorize your song? How are you going to stay healthy for your singing lessons?   How can you not be overwhelmed?

First off, breathe, relax and map out a course of action.  When carefully planned out, most people can achieve their goals.  Singing is no exception.

* Establish your singing goals and your time line.  Figure out when is the best time for you to practice, what you need to practice, and then how often and for how long you need to practice in order to get that all accomplished.  Write it in your planner or put reminders on your phone and start practicing.

* Next, take some quiet practice time to memorize the lyrics and get emotionally connected to the text of your songs.  Take a break from studying for your exams to analyze the text or speak the words like a monologue.  It will take you far.

* Stay away from those who are sick when at all possible and wash those hands!  Drink water and get plenty of rest to assure your body will fight off any illness that may come your way.  It doesn't hurt to eat an apple, orange, or have a little extra Vitamin C along the way!

* Get some physical exercise to get out some of your stress.  Cardiovascular activity is great for the mind to work at its best.  You get out aggravation which is calming.  Your heart pumping harder gets your air flowing better through your lungs.  You then use your air better when singing!

* Yoga is excellent practice for singers as well.  It relaxes you and "gives you the power to better understand your body" Emilie Smith.  Once you understand your body better, the more quickly you respond to its signals.   When your body is in alignment through yoga, you use it the most efficiently when you sing.  Air flows more freely through a body with good yet relaxed posture.  Your mind can function more quickly on fixing things that are not quite right.  If you are starting to get sick, you recognize it quicker and may start going to bed earlier.  

Here is a quick yoga series, a modified Yoga for Everyday Athletes  (Jen Ator, Self Magazine 2012), that may help you in your singing (and recovering from tough physical workouts):

1. Downward-Facing Dog - Stretches the whole body and improves circulation and flexibility

2. High Lunge OR Warrior I - Strengthens feet and ankles while stretching hip flexors to open the body for better breathing.  Warrior I is an empowering pose which stretches you while building confidence with lifting your heart to the sky.

3. Twisted Lunge - Opens the chest, shoulders, and lower ribcage for better breathing

4. Dolphin - Stretches shoulder and chest muscles (again enhancing breathing)

5. Pigeon - Stretches thighs and hip flexors opening more space and freedom in the body

6. Legs up on the wall - Relieves back pain and tired legs or feet to rejuvenate you to sing!

Click here to see a Tutorial for Yoga for Athletes Modified for Singers

How do you manage your stress and keep singing?