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There are so many genres to explore as a singer! Here, Austin, TX voice teacher Gfire M. shares her tips for singing gospel music...   I have always been fascinated with gospel music! I spent several years studying Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and other famous gospel singers, just so I could get that soulful feel and get those cool bluesy licks into my own singing style. Here are some tips to help you get started with your own gospel journey. 1. Breathing

There is one question that gets asked above all the rest, one thing that everyone wants to know: can I still learn to sing at 20, 30, 40... and even beyond that? At 24, is a professional singing career out of reach? Can you get as famous as Lady Gaga, or any other famous singer? For the hobbyists out there, is it even worth taking lessons at 52 years old... if you've always self-proclaimed yourself as "tone deaf"? Read on as voice teacher Douglas W. answers the commonly asked question. Am

If you're new to singing, or if you're just trying to fine-tune your vocal skills, one fun and helpful exercise is to sing duet songs with your vocal instructor or a friend. Pick a style you both like and you'll find that the possibilities for both fun and music making are endless! Why Are They Helpful to Sing? When you sing with piano, or with a chorus or band, there's often someone else playing the same line you're singing. While this is great for learning to sing in tune and working on

One of the common misconceptions many singers have, especially when they are starting their vocal training is that they need to have perfect pitch or great pitch skills as a pre-requisite. The truth is, very few musicians actually have perfect pitch, and some famous singers are technically even tone-deaf. What does being tone-deaf really mean? Sometimes singers will call themselves tone-deaf without really knowing what the term really refers to. The term tone-deaf in music and singing simp

Whether you’re a casual or an experienced singer, you can always work on improving your vocal range. Hitting those notes can make or break your confidence or performance, but the most important thing is not to hurt yourself in the process and acknowledge the constant improvement. How do I expand my vocal range? Learning and understanding how to expand the vocal range works to learn which voice type you are. Knowing what voice you are will help you understand what your general range is. 

Your voice teacher is there to guide you, inspire you, and encourage you. While the lessons should of course be enjoyable, you should also feel challenged and see improvement over the years. Here, Austin, TX voice teacher Gfire M. shares a few things to consider...   Say you've signed up for weekly voice lessons, found a great voice teacher to help you reach your goals, and set aside time to practice singing three to five days a week outside your lessons. Now what? What should your voic

What are the best songs for boys going through puberty, dealing with those inevitable voice breaks and cracks? Find out in this guest post by voice teacher Molly R...   The adolescent years are difficult no matter what. There is a lot of pressure to be accepted and seen as “cool” by your peers, and it seems as though these young people are always riding a roller coaster of emotions! As if it weren’t already hard enough to select vocal repertoire, boys around the ages of 12

How can you ensure you're making the most of your time in your singing lessons? Record yourself singing, so you can listen back on it later! Consider this advice from Hayward, CA teacher Molly R...   Back when I first started voice lessons, my teacher always made sure before we got started that I brought my tape (this was the early '90s!) so that I could record the lesson. As both a student and a teacher, I certainly know the value in recording your voice lessons. When you record your

Opera singers are known as the true “vocal athletes” in the music world. They must rely entirely on their body to be heard: no microphones allowed. (Unless they’re performing in a stadium, of course)! Operatic singing requires voices that can easily be heard over a full orchestra in very large houses. Although pop music dominates today’s televised talent shows and the radio, opera is still a celebrated art form that is more accessible than ever. Every year, many young singers begi

When it comes to vocal health, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. Knowing the truth is essential for taking care of your instrument! Test your knowledge and learn more in this post by teacher Heather L...   With all of the recent news in the media about singers, surgery, and tour cancelations, vocal health has got us all talking and thinking... How can we keep (or make) our voices healthy, especially during cold and flu season? How can we prevent vocal injury a